Job Summary
The Veterinary Technician / Assistant is responsible for overseeing and participating in daily clinical operations to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality veterinary care for shelter animals, foster animals, and community-owned pets. This role serves as the hands-on leader of the clinic support team, providing training, supervision, and workflow coordination while actively participating in medical, surgical, and animal care tasks.
The Veterinary Technician / Assistant works closely with the Staff Veterinarian to manage surgical flow, clinic procedures, and medical inventory. This position plays a critical role in maintaining animal welfare standards and smooth clinic operations in a fast-paced non-profit shelter environment.
Key Responsibilities
Clinic & Animal Care Operations
- Maintain dependable attendance and provide consistent, reliable leadership presence.
- Assist in coordinating daily clinic and center duties to ensure high-quality care and safety for all animals.
- Ensure animals’ nutrition, housing, sanitation, and medical needs are met daily.
- Restrain and handle animals safely and humanely, minimizing stress and risk.
- Assist with general housekeeping duties, including cleaning and sanitizing kennels, clinic areas, and equipment.
- Maintain accurate, timely, and thorough medical and operational records.
- Demonstrate working knowledge of local animal welfare laws, regulations, and ordinances.
- Deliver instructions and guidance clearly and professionally to staff, volunteers, trustees, and community members.
Staff & Volunteer Leadership
- Provide training, guidance for clinic assistants, clinic support staff, and critical clinic volunteers.
- Support onboarding, skills development, and adherence to clinic protocols and safety procedures.
- Assist the Staff Veterinarian with delegation of tasks, prioritization of workflow, and problem-solving during high-volume days.
- Model professionalism, teamwork, and calm decision-making in a fast-paced environment.
Surgical & Medical Support
- Prepare daily drugs and medications for scheduled surgeries and procedures.
- Perform surgical and anesthetic support tasks, including:
- IV injections
- Endotracheal intubation
- Surgical preparation
- Anesthetic monitoring
- Manage surgical flow to ensure efficiency, safety, and adherence to protocols.
- Clean, sterilize, organize, and maintain surgical instruments, equipment, and laundry.
- Ensure surgical and medical supplies are stocked, organized, and available; communicate supply needs proactively.
- Assist with euthanasia procedures in accordance with training, certification, and clinic protocols.
Operational Support
- Assist with scheduling, coordination, and preparation for special clinics, transport, or high-volume surgery days.
- Perform additional duties as needed to support the successful operation of the clinic and animal center.
- Additional duties as needed to support the overall operations of the Clinic and Shelter.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Minimum of 2 years of veterinary technician or assistant experience ideally in an animal shelter or high-volume veterinary practice.
- Team leadership experience preferred.
- Knowledge of contagious animal diseases and best practices for prevention and control.
- Ability to quickly learn new software systems, policies, and procedures.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, delegate, and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively and motivate others to perform at a high level.
- Must hold a current Tennessee certification as an Animal Euthanasia Technician or be eligible to obtain certification within 45 days of hire.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
- Regular exposure to wet, humid, noisy, and fast-paced environments.
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, squat, reach, twist, and lift throughout the workday.
- Ability to lift and carry animals, crates, and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Regular exposure to animals that may be frightened, injured, or reactive.
- Exposure to cleaning agents, animal waste, medical supplies, and sharp instruments.
- Must be able to remain calm and focused during emergencies or emotionally challenging situations.
This role requires a strong nonprofit animal‑shelter mindset, grounded in compassion, patience, and a commitment to serving both animals and the community. Candidates should be motivated by mission-driven work, comfortable operating in a resource-conscious environment, and dedicated to ensuring the well‑being, dignity, and humane treatment of every animal in our care. Success in this position comes from teamwork, empathy, adaptability, and a genuine desire to support lifesaving efforts rather than focusing solely on traditional commercial metrics.
Pay: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Preferred)
Experience:
- Technician / Assistant: 2 years (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- Veterinary Technician Certification (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
