Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA (on-site)
Type: This is a non-exempt position, available as full-time or part-time (10–30 hours per week). At Vets in Vans, 30 hours per week is considered full-time.
Reports to: Chief Medical Officer
Compensation: $40-42/hour
Benefits:
- Full-time (30 hours/week): Medical insurance, with Vets in Vans covering 50% of the premium, dental and vision insurance available (employee-paid), access to a retirement plan, 60 hours of accrued paid time off annually, sick leave accrued at 1 hour per 30 hours worked, 11 paid holidays, 25% discount on veterinary services for personal pets
- Part-time (under 29 hours/week): Sick leave accrued at 1 hour per 30 hours worked, no accrued paid time off, holiday pay only if scheduled to work that day
Who We Are:
At Vets in Vans (ViV), we are a dedicated non-profit veterinary mobile clinic providing comprehensive clinic services, including urgent care, preventative care, routine and non-routine surgical procedures, humane euthanasia and dentals to communities in the Bay Area. ViV aims to provide compassionate and quality veterinary care to underserved communities and their beloved pets. We offer a list of payment options and resources to reduce financial barriers to veterinary care.
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of animals in providing access to high quality veterinary care. As a non-profit, our focus is on making veterinary services accessible to all, regardless of financial circumstances.
Position SummaryThe Veterinary Dental Technician supports veterinarians and the clinical team in delivering safe, efficient, and compassionate care in a mobile clinic setting. This role is ideal for someone who is proficient in dental prophylaxis, dental radiographs and dental procedures. The Veterinary Dental Technician plays a key role in patient handling, clinic setup and breakdown, and day-to-day mobile clinic operations.
The functions listed below represent the essential duties of this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Key Responsibilities
Client Care & Communication
- Treat all clients and patients with professionalism, empathy, and respect
- Communicate medical information and recommendations clearly, using accessible language
- Educate clients on home dental care, oral hygiene, postoperative care, and recommended follow-up treatment.
- Proactively initiate respectful conversations about payment support and spectrum-of-care options
Patient Care & Clinical Support
- Prepare patients for dental examinations, procedures, and oral surgery.
- Review patient medical history and perform pre-anesthetic assessments, including obtaining vital signs and reporting abnormalities to the veterinarian.
- Place intravenous catheters and administer medications and fluids as prescribed.
- Induce, monitor, and recover patients under general anesthesia while maintaining detailed anesthetic records.
- Continuously monitor patient vital signs throughout anesthesia and promptly communicate changes to the veterinarian.
- Perform comprehensive dental prophylaxis, including ultrasonic and hand scaling above and below the gumline, polishing teeth, and applying preventative dental treatments as appropriate.
- Obtain diagnostic full-mouth dental radiographs and ensure high-quality imaging.
- Perform oral examinations, dental extractions and procedures.
- Prepare, maintain, and sterilize dental instruments, handpieces, and surgical equipment.
- Ensure dental equipment is cleaned, maintained, and functioning properly.
- Accurately chart dental findings, record anesthetic monitoring data, and document treatments in the medical record.
- Collect and prepare diagnostic samples as needed.
- Monitor hospitalized dental patients before and after procedures, providing nursing care and pain assessment.
- Follow OSHA, controlled substance, infection control, and radiation safety protocols at all times.
- Utilize low-stress handling techniques to promote patient comfort and safety.
- Assist with medical procedures outside of dentistry as needed to support patient care and clinic operations.
Clinic Operations & Logistics
- Maintain reliable attendance and punctuality
- Assist with setup and breakdown of mobile pop-up clinics
- Accurately enter medical records using clinic software (records, labs, radiographs, communication)
- Maintain inventory of dental instruments, supplies, medications, and consumables; notify management when restocking is needed.
- Clean and maintain treatment areas, dental equipment and wet table
Qualifications
- Prior experience in a high-volume veterinary clinic preferred
- Experience with surgery, anesthesia monitoring, or emergency care is a plus
- Strong clinical and animal-handling skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to stay calm, organized, and efficient under pressure
- Strong multitasking and time-management abilities
- Proficiency with veterinary software and medical recordkeeping
- Compassionate, patient-centered approach aligned with Vets in Vans’ values of equitable access to care.
- Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, with the ability to travel to clinic locations in San Francisco and the East Bay (primarily Berkeley).
Working Environment and Conditions
- Typical work hours are Mondays-Fridays 8am-6pm and will require some evenings and weekends as needed.
- Work is performed in a veterinary clinic setting with exposure to seasonal outdoor conditions.
- Must be competent at handling dogs and cats daily. Will handle sick, injured, or deceased animals. Animal contact and related injuries, including bites and scratches, may occur.
- Noise exposure varies and often includes uncontrolled barking and other animal vocalizations.
- Animal waste contact, smells and visual exposure are prevalent.
- Frequent exposure to and/or handling of industrial cleaning supplies.
- Must be able to lift, push, and/or pull over 50 pounds on a regular basis.
- Frequent standing, walking, typing, bending, twisting, crouching, kneeling, lifting, and stooping.
What We Offer
- A supportive and collaborative work environment.
- The chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of animals and their owners.
- Flexible scheduling options to promote work-life balance.
At-Will Statement and Accommodations: Employment with Vets in Vans is at-will. Nothing in this job description constitutes a contract of employment, and duties or requirements may change at any time. Vets in Vans will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with federal and California law.
Employment Classification: This is a non-exempt position and is eligible for overtime pay in accordance with California wage and hour laws.
Vets In Vans is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our workforce and organizational culture. We believe that having staff, board, and volunteers with diverse personal and professional backgrounds and lived experiences enhances our ability to meet our mission and creates a positive environment where everyone in our community (including their pets) can thrive.
Pay: $40.00 - $42.00 per hour
Application Question(s):
- Do you have experience performing dentals on both cats and dogs?
- Would you be able to commute to our mobile clinics in San Francisco and Berkeley?
Work Location: In person
