Veterinary Support Associate/Registered Veterinary Technician Lead

Looking to make a difference in the lives of pets and people? With an almost year-round beautiful blue sky and a scenic mountain backdrop, HSPPR is a nonprofit animal shelter serving El Paso, Pueblo, and Douglas Counties as well as the City of Centennial in the colorful State of Colorado. We employ a total of 200+ employees. We are an organization that celebrates and prioritizes diversity and inclusion. HSPPR welcomes you to apply for this exciting opportunity at our socially conscious organization.

** Job Posting closes on Sunday, January 7, 2024 **

The Veterinary Support Associate provides high level of patient care for animals in the Veterinary Clinic to include blood draws, IV catheter placement, nursing care, anesthesia, and surgical preparation. Aids in surgical procedures, high level of patient care and appropriate follow-up in conjunction with the veterinarians' direction for all animals in the shelter requiring medical treatment. Works cohesively with all departments in the organization.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Communicates with customers and other shelter staff concerning the health of animals in the Veterinary Clinic. Answers general questions about HSPPR procedures and veterinary care of animals.
• Maintains and updates medical/surgical treatment records and reports in an accurate and timely manner, in accordance with HSPPR procedures.
• Updates records in the shelter database regarding the health status of each animal and appropriate follow-ups.
• Works with Staff Veterinarians, Veterinary Services Managers and Supervisors in developing and adhering to vaccination and medical treatment protocols.
• Assists the veterinarians with patient exams by providing proper animal restraint, obtaining a medical history from records and/or the owner, performing tasks and treatments as directed, and filling medications.
• Fills all medications from a central pharmacy and ensures all animals receive the appropriate medication.
• Administers treatments per the veterinarians' orders and provides exceptional patient care.
• Provides direction and triage for incoming animals in need of medical attention.
• Communicates with shelter veterinarians regarding the status of animals in treatment. Reports concerns and triages priorities while working with medical and shelter staff.
• Reviews all med alerts by examining and medicating as needed as per HSPPR protocols, moving animals to appropriate isolation areas as indicated.
• Provides medical support for animals in foster care.
• Performs in-house laboratory testing and radiographs.
• Calculates appropriate drug dosages and fluid rates for patient care.
• Administers treatment and/or anesthesia to animals under the direction of Staff Veterinarians.
• Proficient in intubating, extubating, and anesthesia monitoring.
• Assists in the maintenance of clinic and facility equipment to assure cleanliness and safety. Cleans and disinfects kennels and health care areas as needed to ensure they are maintained in a sanitary and organized manner. Uses proper PPE and cleaning protocols to prevent disease transmission in the clinic.
• Provides proper diets for hospitalized patients and charts everything related to medications, diet and eliminations.
• Cleans and disinfects parvo and ringworm ward, providing all care and treatment for those patients.
• Works with and provides training as required for externs and/or volunteers.
• Assists with Euthanasia as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Other:

• Commitment to the mission, values, goals and success of HSPPR.
• Appropriately documents observed animal behaviors utilizing objective language as required in relevant procedures and/or policies.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

For Lead Technician Differential:

• Maintain a regular presence on the floor to provide support to staff and ensure appropriate work distribution.
• Monitor the schedule and workflow, adjusting the surgery schedule and staff assignments as needed.
• Monitor workload, making adjustments to minimize overtime. Report trends to Supervisor and/or Manager.
• Lead the morning meetings with staff to address any issues or concerns and prepare for the day.
• Assists in training new employees.
• Has the knowledge and experience to fill any role if needed.
• Promotes open communication and collaboration within their program as well as external departments and/or programs.
• Maintain equipment maintenance and logs. Train staff to assist in regular maintenance and report issues appropriately.
• Oversee inventory for drugs and medical supplies and report weekly order list to Manager.
• Order medical supplies as needed and directed by Supervisor and/or Manager.
• Assists in decision making in the absence of the Supervisor/Manager.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Duties

None

Physical Demands

• Regularly sits at computer station, often in a shared office environment.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move 25 or more pounds of moving weight and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 or more pounds of moving weight.
• May be occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl.
• Regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, hear, and is frequently required to stand and walk. May be expected to be on feet for extended periods of time.
• Consistently exposed to animals in the workplace and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.
• Regularly exposed to noise and potential exposure to hazardous weather conditions.
• Potential exposure to cleaning supplies and/or other substances containing toxic or caustic chemicals.

Schedule Requirements

Schedule may include weekend and evening work.

Education/Experience Necessary

• Ability to effectively read, write, interpret, communicate, perform basic problem solving, and perform basic math as commonly expected from completion of a High School Diploma or Equivalent Education.
• Prior animal handling experience required.
• Two years of experience working in a veterinary clinic or shelter setting required.
• Veterinary Assistant Certificate from an accredited institution or equivalent education in Veterinary Technician program preferred.

The core values of the staff unite us and guide us to provide the best service to the animals in our care, our organization, and our community.

Core Values Statements-

• • Compassion: We believe that animals matter. We are committed to treating animals and people with kindness, respect, and compassion.

• • Stewardship: We are accountable and transparent in our actions and in the use of our resources to build trust in those we serve.

• • Integrity: We believe we can make the greatest impact by staying true to our mission, always doing what is best for the animals and people of our community, and by standing united in our decisions.

• • Excellence: We are passionate about our mission, and strive for excellence through continual learning, innovation, and the development of our board, staff and volunteers.

• • Collaboration: We seek strategic partnerships and alliances to advance the welfare and protection of animals and people.

• • Service: We exist to serve our communities and operate with this commitment to serve as front and center in all we do.