RVT or Experienced Veterinary Assistant - Santa Barbara Humane

SUMMARY: SBH is growing our team! We are looking for a Registered Veterinary Technician or an Experienced Veterinary Technician.

At SBH we believe prognosis, not economics, should guide an animal’s future  and ensuring no animal goes without care by providing access to high-quality

low cost (and a lot of times even free) veterinary services. 

Our patients include owned animals, shelter animals, and community cats and our services range from free vaccines to dentals to life-saving surgeries. We are growing and if you want to really put your skills and compassion to work, we’d like an opportunity to show you what mission-based veterinary care looks and feels like. 

We hope your resume highlights:

• Strong animal handling and veterinary assistant knowledge, and a desire to continually expand your skills. 

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while multi-tasking and managing shifting priorities. 

• Experience providing top-notch, solution-based client service. 

• A commitment to Fear-Free animal handling and a sincere interest in supporting the mission and philosophy of Santa Barbara Humane, a Socially Conscious Shelter. 

Here is what we think you will gain:

• Skills Progression, By offering learning as you grow.

• Helping the community by providing access to care by reaching those underserved areas in the community.

• Shelter operations Helping shelter animals get placed in their forever homes.

• Work-life balance by practicing a culture of caring.

   

Our benefits include fully paid health, vision, and dental, life and disability insurance; holiday and generous vacation pay; paid medical leave; and a matching 401K. Our team includes DVMs, RVTs, CPDT, and just some really awesome fun people who enjoy making a difference every day.  At Santa Barbara Humane we believe in empowering one another with knowledge, empathy, encouragement, and recognition then do that by making time for learning, celebrating success, and appreciating the unique ups and downs of this work. Do we sound like your type of people? Join us!

A full Job description is as follows:

The RVT is a California registered veterinary technician. Responsible for assisting SBH veterinarians with multiple types of procedures. An Experienced Veterinary Assistant has a few years working in the clinic. Both provide the highest quality of care for animals in areas such as physical examinations, restraint, dental procedures, surgeries, immunizations, euthanasia, etc. Must have good customer service skills and demonstrated capability educating the public on animal health and treatment. Must maintain a positive and professional attitude while working with other employees, volunteers, visitors, and the public. Must support and advocate for the philosophy, programs, and policies of the Santa Barbara Humane.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Will work in all aspects of a high-volume, high quality spay/neuter surgery clinic including preparing animals for surgery, administering and monitoring anesthesia, assisting veterinarians during surgery, and post-operative management of veterinary patients 

• Knowledge of anesthetic protocols, venipuncture, the ability to induce, etc.

• Prioritizes the availability of shelter pets’ health status to make those animals available for adoption

• Familiar with the use of medical equipment and tools like autoclaves, catheters, IVs, and monitors, anesthesia equipment, etc.

• Demonstrates patience and tolerance with all animals and willingness to provide direct care to cats, dogs and rabbits of all sizes and types and a desire to maintain high level of care for all animals in order to assure their comfort and safety

• Obtains and records patient histories

• Collects specimens and performs routine laboratory procedures and tests in hematology, biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, urinalysis, and serology to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems

• Dispenses and administers medications, vaccines, serums and treatments as prescribed by SBHS veterinarians

• Administers fluids and blood products as prescribed by SBHS veterinarians

• Administers and monitors anesthesia under the direction of a veterinarian

• Provides specialized nursing care for injured or ill animals.

• Prepares patients, instruments and equipment for surgery

• Ensures that monitoring and support equipment such as anesthetic machines, cardiac monitors, and breathing apparatus are in good working condition

• Assists in diagnostic, medical and surgical procedures

• Demonstrates knowledge of the procedures used for receiving, treating, and scheduling patients, for ordering medical supplies, and requesting laboratory tests

• Demonstrates knowledge of the use, care, and storage of veterinary instruments, materials, and equipment

• Demonstrates knowledge of sterilization techniques for various instruments and materials.

• Demonstrates knowledge of the instruments, materials, and standardized procedures used in the full variety of treatments to prepare and provide table-side assistance

• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles and processes for providing client services, including client needs assessments, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of client satisfaction

• Takes radiographs, positions patients correctly, takes proper measurements and sets up equipment properly

• Communicates with and educates pet owners about preventative health, such as, spay and neuter options, vaccines, flea preventatives, heartworm preventatives, surgical procedures and post-operative procedures and instructions, medication instructions and administration

• Maintains knowledge of preventative healthcare recommendations to answer client questions, provides education on vaccines, flea and heartworm products, and assists in marketing veterinary services from which their pet would benefit, such as a dental cleaning, senior wellness, spay and neuter and boarding

• Maintains inventory of pharmaceuticals, equipment and supplies.

• Cleans, maintains and sterilizes instruments, equipment, and materials.

• Will work independently on assigned tasks as well as being given direction on how to complete certain assignments

• Must employee critical thinking - understanding logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems

• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of proper protocols in the administration of controlled substances, and the most current protocols relating to communicable diseases 

• Promotes a highly efficient, client-centered environment and facilitates programs and processes that meet client needs

• Maintains the practice philosophy for attracting new clients and retaining existing clients through good customer service skills 

• Helps to facilitates resolution of client problems 

• Maintains a clean and sanitary facility that is visually appealing to clients and staff 

• Adheres to all safety and security regulations and training. 

• Participates in meetings and responds to management communications as required 

• Understands and demonstrates that regular attendance and timeliness are essential

• Promotes cooperative working environments among shelter departments and staff members; understands the value of teamwork; shows enthusiasm and willingness to perform as necessary to help the clinic function as a unit.

• Communicates objectives, motivates staff, builds and maintains morale

• Knowledgeable regarding related federal and state animal health laws and regulations including OSHA and DEA. Ensures that the clinic and its employees are in compliance with regulations, and inform the Clinic Manager and Director of Veterinary Services of any regulatory issues

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Valid Registered Veterinary Technician License from the California state board If an RVT.

• 1-2 Years of experience as a Veterinary Assistant or Technician.

• Excellent computer skills

• Some teaching experience highly desirable  

• Must be able to work with people from a variety of backgrounds who may have different orientations to animals due to cultural traditions

• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills

• Proficient in the use of commercial clinic and shelter software 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual English/Spanish

• Previous work in animal welfare/shelter/high volume clinic 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This position requires some weekend and evening work. The current clinic schedule is Tuesday – Saturday. 

• Work is performed within an animal shelter where loud noises, disease and exposure to hazards are possible

• Physical requirements may include: bending, standing for long periods, stooping, reaching and other physical demands.

• Must be able to safely restrain large and/or agitated animals

• Frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds

• Occasionally handle dogs weighing up to and over 150 pounds. Assistance will be provided when working with larger animals