Shelter location: Coronado, CA
Status: Fulltime
Reports to: Executive Director
Leads: Fear Free environment in collaboration with veterinarian assistants and medical volunteers to foster effective medical workflows in a busy shelter environment, animals first.
Systems: Shelterluv, Google Workspace
About PAWS of Coronado We’re a high-trust, high-care shelter partner serving Coronado. Our north star is simple: animals first, always. Once a PAWS animal, always a PAWS animal. You practice Fear Free handling of our animals in care, work as a team, have excellent organizational skills.
The Role You keep animals moving safely through intake, treatment, spay/neuter scheduling and vaccinations. You build and maintain a calm, competent medical experience for our animals in care. You partner with our DVM, behavior team, and placement staff to reduce length of stay and maintain live outcomes without cutting corners on welfare or compliance.
Top Outcomes (what success looks like)
- Safe, efficient medical flow that shortens length of stay and support live exits through foster and adoptions.
- Clean, complete medical records in Shelterluv for 100% of animals, audit-ready.
- On-site clinic days scheduled and staffed; spay/neuter outsourced schedule / animal health services/ microchipping services.
- Zero missed controlled-substance reconciliations; OSHA/Cal-OSHA standards met.
- Maintain clear checklists, detailed schedules for animal medical care and be ready to transport animals to appointments as needed.
Key Responsibilities
Medical Operations
- See that medical operations flow, schedule in-house examinations, oversee animal treatment plans with DVM direction, handle and schedule rechecks, distribute medication and discharge instructions.
- Coordinate outsourced surgery days and other medical tasks as needed, schedule, prep, induction/recovery oversight, carry out post-op orders.
- Ensure disease prevention protocols (vaccination on intake, quarantine/isolation, cleaning/disinfection) are executed consistently.
- Collaborate across animal care teams on humane handling and enrichment compatible with treatment.
Records, Compliance, and Quality
- Responsible for accurate, same-day data entry in Shelterluv: exams, meds, diagnostics, weight trends, controlled-substance logs (under DVM/DEA oversight)
- Maintain SOPs for intake, treatment, anesthesia, controlled substances, sharps/biohazard disposal, bite/exposure reporting, and incident reviews.
- Prepare records for partners, adopters, and auditors; respond to record requests.
People Leadership
- Collaborate with Vet assistants and medical volunteers; set clear personal standards and be willing provide excellent patient services to all guests.
- Build a positive, no-drama, animal-first culture. Model calm under pressure, direct feedback, and kindness.
Inventory and Facility
- Manage pharmacy and medical supplies, PPE, vaccines, microchips, and food/critical diets; track par levels and expiry.
- Keep clinic spaces immaculate and functional; coordinate equipment maintenance and vendor relationships.
Client & Community
- Support fosters and adopters with clear medical guidance and timely follow-up.
- Educate the public (simply and respectfully) about prevention, treatment, and post-adoption care.
Required Qualifications
- RVT w/ 2+ years in shelter or high-volume clinic medicine with progressive responsibility.
- Proven team lead or supervisory experience in a medical setting.
- Fluency with shelter software (Shelterluv preferred) and solid documentation habits.
- Confident handling of dogs and cats and various species of various sizes and temperaments; low-stress handling mindset.
- Working knowledge of intake protocols, infectious-disease control, anesthesia/sedation monitoring, and postoperative care.
- Ability to lift/move up to 50 lbs, stand/walk most of the day, and work in a fast, sometimes loud environment.
- Valid CA driver’s license and ability to pass a background check.
- Ability to work weekends- Friday- Tuesday schedule 7:30a-4:30p, be flexible, subject to change with notice.
Preferred
- RVT is mandatory
- Shelter animal scheduling of spay/neuter flow & transportation experience is a plus.
- Experience with controlled-substance recordkeeping, OSHA/Cal-OSHA is expected.
- Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
Schedule
- Typical: Thursday- Monday with flexibility for clinic days, emergencies, and occasional evenings or events.
- Participates in after-hours/on-call rotation for urgent medical guidance as needed.
Compensation & Benefits
- Pay: DOE
- Benefits: [medical/dental/vision, PTO/holidays, 401(k), CE stipend, uniform stipend
- Professional development appropriate to role (e.g., Shelter Medicine webinars, CE).
How We Operate
- Direct, respectful communication.
- Checklists, SOPs, and data to drive decisions.
- Humane, Fear Free handling and enrichment embedded in medical plans.
- Partnership across teams to set animals up for lasting success.
- Proven experience managing collaboration in a respectful, professional manner of diverse perspectives.
To Apply
Email your resume and a brief cover note to [[email protected]] with subject line “RVT – [Your Name].” Include three professional references.
Equal Opportunity
PAWS of Coronado is an equal opportunity employer. We value diverse perspectives and lived experiences that strengthen our work for animals and the community.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $28.00 - $32.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Uniform allowance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
