Registered Veterinary Technician

Annenberg PetSpace, located in Playa Vista, is a unique community space featuring pet adoptions, a humane education program, and a leadership institute for animal science and welfare advancement. Annenberg PetSpace focuses on the mutually beneficial and dynamic bond between people and their pets, as well as the origins and community impact of that relationship.
Position Summary: 

• Reporting to the Veterinarian the Registered Veterinary Technician will assist the medical team in the PetSpace Health Center and cares for in-house animal medical needs.
• This on-site position will be working a 4/10 schedule, including weekends.

Essential Position Functions: In coordination with the Veterinarian of Wallis Annenberg PetSpace and the Health Center Coordinator-RVT/Veterinary Technician will be responsible for the following.

Medical: 

• Intake dogs and cats following veterinary protocols (administering vaccines, snap tests, exams, etc.).
• Prepare all medications, anesthetic drugs, tests, vaccines and equipment to be used, including surgical packs.
• Clean, sonicate, pack, and sterilize surgical instruments.
• Ensure kennels, and general areas cleaned regularly and maintained. 
• Prepare animals for surgery and general medical procedures, as necessary.
• Assist Veterinarian with spay/neuter and other necessary surgeries.
• Assist Veterinarian with general medical care of adoptable animals.
• Perform all post-surgical clean-up, including instruments, laundry, packs, etc.
• Keep storage, exam, prep, and surgery rooms hygienically clean and in order.
• Administer injections, vaccinations, medications, treatments and supportive care measures as directed by Veterinarian/approved medical protocols.
• Intubate animals, place intravenous catheters, perform venipuncture, run diagnostic tests, and administer fluids, as needed.
• Monitor vital signs of sedated and anesthetized patients in preoperative, operative, and postoperative phases.
• Maintain medical supplies inventory. Ensure that supplies are in-date.
• Ensure that anesthetic machines, pulse oximeters, scales, and other equipment are functional. When equipment is not working properly report to the Veterinarian/Facility Manager.
• Draw blood, urine, fecal samples and determine results, as appropriate.
• Provide vaccinations and medications, as directed.
• Perform other lab tests, as directed.
• Stay current in knowledge of emergency drugs and protocols.
• In coordination with the Animal Care Manager, provide training and management of animal care staff based on the operational protocols.
• In coordination with the Veterinarian, Health Center Coordinator and/or the Animal Care Manager, delegate appropriate tasks to Animal Care Specialists.
• Other duties as assigned.

Customer Service/Programming: 

• Communicate in an effective and professional manner with public and Annenberg PetSpace staff members, especially Veterinarians and Animal Care Specialists.
• Know veterinary medical concepts, including, but not limited to vaccine protocols and anesthetic risks. Be able to communicate such information to potential adopters.
• Provide comprehensive specific information to potential adopters about each animal’s condition, as necessary.
• Participate in public education programming (i.e. pop-up presentations, behind the scenes clinic tours, etc.).
• Assist veterinarian/Health Center Coordinator in coordinating continuing education calendar, maintaining continuing education requirements for veterinary staff, and coordinating onsite continuing education programs in conjunction with the education program team.
• Represent Annenberg PetSpace in a professional and courteous manner at all times.

Administrative/Other: 

• Maintain medical records on every animal. 
• Order and maintain veterinary supplies as directed by and in coordination with Veterinarian and Health Center Coordinator.
• Adhere to all protocols put forth by Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
• Follow all written and verbally communicated Standard Operating Procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience: 

• 3-5 years working as Veterinary Technician. 
• Experience performing complex animal health technical procedures and dental cleanings. 
• Experience establishing and administering general anesthesia for surgical. procedures on animals as well as administering medications. 
• Experience in calculating and administering medications. 
• Experience in accomplishing catheterization and blood collection. 
• Knowledge of hospital protocols in an animal environment. 
• Experience initiating appropriate infection control precautions and evaluating hospital sanitation protocols, and performing facility inspection, assessing working conditions, and initiating corrective action. 
• Experience documenting and managing inventory. 
• Experience in recognizing emergency situations and in performing emergency treatments. 
• Experience applying knowledge of Biosafety standards, and infection/hazardous waste control principles and practices. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Excellent animal handling skills. 
• Excellent customer service skills. 
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office and selected shelter software/database. 
• Must be able to lift and carry 40-plus pounds repeatedly throughout the day with assistance. 
• Must possess the ability to work standing for 9 hours. 
• Must possess the ability to work efficiently and calmly under challenging conditions. 
• Maintain an open mind regarding changes and be willing to learn, implement, and teach new protocols. 
• An individual who can contribute to the culture of respect for all individuals and animals. 
• Strong administrative and organizational skills and attention to detail and accuracy. 
• Effective written and oral communication skills with ability to compose routine correspondence. 

Working Conditions:

• Works primarily in the veterinary area of a center dedicated to public education and animal welfare. 

Physical Demands: 

• Must be able to stand, walk, sit, talk and hear, stoop, bend, squat, kneel, grasp grip, put fingers together firmly and reach above and below shoulder level and lift, push or pull 50 pounds for situations of restraining or moving animals and lifting food and animal care supplies, repetitively use hands to operate computers; flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist.  

Benefits: 

• 100% paid medical insurance, dental and vision for employee + family. 
• We also offer a 403(b) retirement plan with 10% company contribution after 1 year of employment. 
• Vacation & sick days. 
• Company paid holidays. 
• Gym membership. 
• Cellphone stipend. 
• Mileage reimbursement. 
• Professional development allowance. 
• Pet adoption discount. 

Wallis Annenberg Legacy Foundation, PetSpace, is a company that respects the uniqueness of each employee and offers everyone the means to find their place and thrive. We promote initiatives aimed at supporting professional equality for everyone. We strive to go above and beyond purely symbolic measures by building a culture focused on meaningful strategies aimed at creating an inclusive workforce. 
Upon notice, the company engages with applicants and employees requesting reasonable accommodations. Please notify Human Resources to explore further.