Shelter Veterinary Technician

Job Description

Position Overview:

The Shelter Veterinary Technician plays a critical role in the intake and care of animals at the Houston Humane Society. This position is responsible for processing incoming animals, assessing their health and behavior, assisting veterinarians with evaluations of sick or injured animals, and ensuring proper placement within the shelter. The Shelter VT also helps maintain disease control, supports foster animal care, and, when necessary, performs humane euthanasia.

Above all, this role requires treating all animals with compassion and ensuring their well-being.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities
:

• Adhere to all department SOPs.
• Conduct daily rounds to monitor the health and well-being of all shelter and clinic animals.
• Assist the on-site veterinarian in evaluating animals showing signs of illness or injury.
• Maintain a clean and organized work environment in the clinic and intake areas.
• Communicate effectively with leadership, intake, foster, and behavior teams regarding any animal health or behavior concerns.
• Process adoptable animals by administering vaccinations, de-wormer, flea medication, and other medications needed.
• Perform and interpret diagnostic results such as heartworm tests, combo tests, fecal floats, among others
• Ensure accurate and up-to-date paperwork and records for each animal, including medical notes and services provided.
• Ensure animals are always set up with food and water when moved to other locations
• Accurately administer medications daily to all in-house animals currently on treatment
• Consistently follow up with patient records to ensure all foster and in-house animals are up to date on recheck exams, vaccines, deworming, preventions, and lab results
• Provide client education to potential adopters and foster parents
• Perform or assist with humane euthanasia of all animals deemed unadoptable, severely ill, or injured, as authorized by a veterinarian, medical director, or shelter director.
• Keep inventory stocked and request items in timely manner
• Perform all other duties as needed.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Must have a minimum High School Diploma or GED. A minimum of 1 year experience working with animals in a veterinary clinic or animal shelter environment.
  
  Preferred qualifications:
  
  Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), or Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT). Experience with shelter medicine and/or infectious disease protocols.
• Able to provide client education to clients
• Able to perform venipuncture, administer vaccines, run and interpret diagnostics such as heartworm tests, fecal floats, and combo tests, among others
• Able to handle a variety of animals including animals that can be fractious, scared and aggressive, in a safe, humane and skillful manner.
• Able to fluently speak, read and write English and have experience entering information into computer programs.
• Able to work in an environment that can be emotionally, mentally and physically demanding.
• Uphold the mission of the Houston Humane Society and work to maintain a positive image to the community. Clean and neat in appearance.