ANIMAL CARE SPECIALIST (VET TECH)

About the role

This position is responsible for monitoring the health of all shelter animals and providing care and treatment as needed. Essential functions include performing thorough intake evaluations, administering daily medications, maintaining vaccination schedules, and communicating with contract veterinarians.

Responsibilities

• Performs thorough intake evaluations and vaccinates all animals entering the shelter.
• Triage observed and reported health concerns, communicates with contract veterinarian for treatment plans, and administers daily medications.
• Maintains a working knowledge of intake protocols and treatment plans, and understands these protocols.
• Maintains organized and clean work spaces, monitors and ensures that medical supplies stay appropriately stocked, and orders medical supplies when needed.
• Works to improve the efficiency and flow of the shelter medical program, working with, training, and coaching staff to implement and maintain shelter medicine best practices.
• Communicates effectively with the Shelter Manager on medical issues and treatments, and makes medical euthanasia decisions.
• Trains and coaches staff to implement and maintain shelter medicine best practices.
• Works with Shelter Supervisor, Placement Coordinator, and Shelter Manager to make medical euthanasia decisions.
• Performs euthanasia as needed, transports animals to cooperating animal hospitals in emergency situations, and prepares for weekly spay/neuter surgeries with partnering clinics.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Two years' experience as a Veterinary Technician (RVT preferred) in a Veterinary Clinic environment.
• One year of experience working within an animal shelter preferred.
• Must obtain Certified Euthanasia Technician and Certified Rabies Vaccinator certifications within six months of employment.
• Registered Veterinary Technician is strongly preferred.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic veterinary treatment of domestic animals in a shelter environment.
• Experience in caring for and handling animals in a safe, effective, and humane manner.
• Knowledge of contemporary clinic and/or shelter maintenance techniques and accepted sanitary practices.
• Strong animal handling skills and extensive knowledge of animal behavior.
• Good interpersonal, communication, and time management skills.
• Independent decision-making skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Ability and initiative, working with minimal supervision and direction.
• Maturity, good judgement, and a professional personal appearance.
• Attention to detail.
• Able to work in a busy, demanding environment.
• Able to treat people and animals with respect.
• Foster public relations beneficial to the shelter and its programs.
• Comfortable making decisions or recommendations concerning euthanasia.
• Comfort and ability to work with animals of unknown disposition and those who may exhibit medical and other problems, as well as aggressive tendencies.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic veterinary treatment of domestic animals in a shelter environment.
• Experience in caring for and handling animals in a safe, effective, and humane manner.
• Knowledge of contemporary clinic and/or shelter maintenance techniques and accepted sanitary practices.
• Strong animal handling skills and extensive knowledge of animal behavior.
• Good interpersonal, communication, and time management skills.
• Independent decision-making skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Ability and initiative, working with minimal supervision and direction.
• Maturity, good judgement, and a professional personal appearance.
• Attention to detail.
• Able to work in a busy, demanding environment.
• Able to treat people and animals with respect.
• Foster public relations beneficial to the shelter and its programs.
• Comfortable making decisions or recommendations concerning euthanasia.
• Comfort and ability to work with animals of unknown disposition and those who may exhibit medical and other problems, as well as aggressive tendencies.

Benefits

• Health Insurance plans - Consumer driven plan including a health savings account PPO Plan Optional dependent coverage – employee/spouse, employee/children, & employee/family
• Vision Plan - Includes an annual routine eye exam for individuals on the health insurance plan Optional eyewear plan available
• Choice of optional dental plans - PPO (Preferred Provider Option) or non-PPO Optional dependent coverage – employee/spouse, employee/children, & employee/family
• Term Life Insurance & Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage with employer-paid premiums Employee option for up to $50,000 of additional term life coverage
• Dependent life insurance coverage for spouses & children
• 6% employee contribution 5% employer-paid contribution to NC401K, with no employee match required Employees have the option to contribute additional monies to the NC401K plan or to a 457 retirement savings plan
• Comprehensive health & wellness program On-site exercise equipment & programs Health & wellness themed instructional classes Employee health clinic Employee assistance program (ex. Individual & family counseling, legal & financial services, child & elder care location assistance, etc.)