Tacoma Humane is seeking a Veterinary Technician Assistant (VTA) to join our team! If you thrive in a fast paced environment and would love to make a difference in the lives of the people and pets of Pierce County, this is a great fit for you. Working between our surgery suite and our clinic, the VTA role is to assist the technicians, doctors, and other shelter staff in all duties of the Veterinary Department. This position performs technical and routine animal care, restraint, surgical operations, and other related duties in the Veterinary Department. VTAs carry out daily assignments, follow through on matters using independent judgment and training to take appropriate action when dealing with standard recurring situations. VTAs have the opportunity to build positive, professional relations with team members and the public. Join our team!
Essential functions of the role:
- Provide adequate food, water, and husbandry to designated shelter animals daily
- Clean animal kennels and cages in all areas of the veterinary department to the standards of the shelter
- Provide animal restraint to the standard of the shelter or ask for additional training to improve skill
- Administer medication as directed
- Monitor animals and immediately report health or behavior abnormalities to the supervisor
- Participate in stress and disease reduction efforts through purposeful and compassionate handling and placement of animals in the shelter environment
- Perform animal bathing and basic grooming as needed
- Clean and sterilize surgical instruments
- Prepare surgical packs
- Assist the surgical doctor and technician, as a part of the surgical team, with pre-, peri-, and post-surgical animal care
- Create and maintain necessary animal records, perform data entry using proper medical terminology
- Follow established disease control protocols to daily clean, disinfect and maintain shelter kennels, cages, and general areas
- Operate laundry and cleaning equipment
- Restock veterinary areas with supplies and equipment
- Maintain equipment in working condition, report equipment or supply needs to the supervisor
- Maintain work and general areas in an organized manner
- Represent HSTPC well by providing excellent customer service
- Acknowledges, understands, and follow procedures and policies of the HSTPC
- Attend and participate in departmental and shelter meetings
- Attend educational venues as recommended or approved
- Work with all team members efficiently and respectfully to ensure a cooperative team environment across all departments
- Follow OSHA standards and be able to find Safety Data Sheets quickly
- Report any safety hazards or unsafe us of the HSTPC equipment to a safety committee and the supervisor immediately
- Obtain knowledge of essential shelter operations in all departments
- Performs other duties within your scope of work, as assigned by leadership
Minimum Qualifications:
- Previous experience as a VTA strongly preferred
- Basic computer skills, able to complete data entry accurately
- Able and willing to utilize Fear Free handling methods for shelter pets
- Able and willing to follow LVT and Veterinarian instruction
Physical requirements:
- Constantly communicate with team, verbally and in writing
- Able to stand, walk, lift/push/pull up to 25lbs constantly
- Frequently lift/push/pull up to 50lbs, twist, reach, and bend
- Occasionally team lift/push/pull up to 100lbs, climb stairs and ladders
- Vision and hearing constantly required
Pay: $23.71 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Uniform allowance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
