About HSJCWA
The Humane Society of Jefferson County, Washington (HSJCWA) is a nonprofit, open-admission animal shelter dedicated to improving the lives of companion animals and the people who care for them. Through adoptions, low-cost spay and neuter services, licensing, behavior support, and community education, we work to create a future where every companion animal receives compassionate care and appropriate housing.
Our Veterinary Services Department is led by a Shelter Veterinarian and is building a progressive shelter medicine program focused on evidence-based medicine, low-stress handling, disease prevention, and exceptional animal welfare.
We believe homeless animals deserve the same standard of medical care as privately owned pets. Our program extends well beyond routine shelter medicine and includes treatment of chronic medical conditions, advanced diagnostics, dentistry, and surgery.
HSJCWA is also preparing for construction of a new shelter that will include a community veterinary clinic providing medical and surgical services for vulnerable pets throughout Jefferson County. This position offers an exciting opportunity to help build that program from the ground up.
Our Mission
To improve the lives of companion animals and people through community engagement, education, responsible pet ownership, and high-quality animal welfare services.
Our Values
Compassion, Inclusivity, Collaboration, Teamwork, Education, Stewardship, Transparency.
Position Summary
The Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) works closely with the Shelter Veterinarian to provide exceptional medical and surgical nursing care for shelter animals while supporting the health of the overall shelter population.
This position plays an essential role in ensuring animals are healthy, behaviorally supported, and ready for adoption. The LVT also contributes to staff education, foster support, disease prevention, and development of a progressive shelter medicine program.
This position reports to the Shelter Veterinarian and is based on-site at the shelter.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
- Provide medical and surgical nursing care under the direction of the Shelter Veterinarian.
- Follow HSJCWA protocols for animal intake, vaccination, sanitation, and medical care.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and biosecure treatment area.
- Prepare, administer, and accurately document medications and treatments.
- Maintain complete and accurate electronic medical records.
- Communicate medical conditions, treatment plans, and post-adoption care instructions to staff, adopters, and foster caregivers.
- Educate staff and volunteers on animal health, sanitation, enrichment, disease prevention, and low-stress handling.
- Collaborate with foster caregivers to support ongoing patient treatment and recovery.
Medical Responsibilities
- Promote a calm, low-stress environment for all patients.
- Recognize signs of pain, fear, illness, and distress, and respond appropriately.
- Provide preventive, routine, urgent, and emergency nursing care.
- Perform procedures including, Venipuncture, Sample collection, Radiographs, ELISA testing, Fecal analysis, Gram stains, Skin scrapes, IDEXX sample preparation and submission, Dental radiographs, COHAT procedures.
- Place intravenous catheters.
- Calculate and administer medications and intravenous fluid therapy.
- Apply bandages and splints within Washington State scope-of-practice regulations.
- Perform basic physical assessments and recognize normal versus abnormal findings.
- Monitor the health of the shelter population in collaboration with the veterinary team.
- Follow the Five Rights of Medication Administration.
- Maintain treatment logs and controlled substance records.
- Manage medical inventory, equipment maintenance schedules, and sanitation protocols.
- Assist with veterinary budget planning and inventory management.
Surgical & Anesthesia Responsibilities
- Prepare patients for spay/neuter, dental, and other surgical procedures.
- Calculate, prepare, and administer anesthetic medications within legal scope of practice.
- Intubate patients and monitor anesthesia.
- Prepare sterile surgical packs, instruments, and operating areas.
- Assist the veterinarian during surgery.
- Obtain dental radiographs and assist with COHAT procedures.
- Administer local and regional anesthetic blocks according to protocol or veterinary direction.
- Monitor patients before, during, and after anesthesia to ensure safe recovery.
Qualifications:
Required Experience
- Current Washington State Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) in good standing.
- One year of experience as a Licensed Veterinary Technician in medical and surgical practice, including anesthesia monitoring; or Two years of experience as a Veterinary Assistant with demonstrated proficiency in anesthesia, surgery, and patient nursing.
Preferred Experience
- Experience in shelter medicine.
- Experience in high-volume spay/neuter surgery.
- Experience with veterinary dentistry and COHAT procedures.
- Experience in public health, laboratory animal medicine, agriculture, or animal science is also valued.
Professional Skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
- Strong problem-solving abilities, initiative, and adaptability.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Attention to detail and commitment to following established procedures and protocols.
Commitment to Animal Welfare
- Demonstrated passion for animal welfare and humane care.
- Respectful, compassionate, and nonjudgmental approach when working with diverse populations.
- Commitment to responsible pet ownership, animal enrichment, and successful adoption outcomes.
- Interest in ongoing education related to animal behavior, handling, training, and welfare.
Flexibility & Resilience
- Ability to work weekends, evenings, holidays, and special events as needed.
- Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions in fast-paced or stressful situations.
- Willingness to perform a variety of duties in support of shelter operations.
Physical Requirements & Work Environment
This position is physically demanding and requires:
- Frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and lifting.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds safely.
- Exposure to cleaning chemicals, animal dander, noise, and outdoor weather conditions.
- Direct interaction with dogs and cats of varying sizes, temperaments, and behavioral histories.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced shelter environment while maintaining high standards of animal care and customer service.
Why Join HSJCWA?
This is more than a veterinary technician position—it's an opportunity to help build one of Washington's most progressive shelter medicine programs.
You'll work alongside a collaborative team committed to providing exceptional medical care for homeless animals while helping develop expanded community veterinary services that will improve access to care throughout Jefferson County.
If you're passionate about shelter medicine, enjoy solving challenging medical cases, and want your work to have a meaningful impact on both animals and people, we'd love to hear from you.
Pay: $30.00 - $37.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Continuing education credits
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Uniform allowance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
