What are the responsibilities and job description for the Veterinary Technician position at Animal Friends?
Description
Veterinary Technician
Status: Part Time
FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt
Location: On-site
Schedule: Days, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Starting Pay Range: $18–$20/hour
Who We Are
For more than 80 years, Animal Friends has continually set – and raised – the bar for humane programming in the Pittsburgh region. Our 75-acre campus serves as a center of compassion and hope for thousands of homeless pets annually. As a full-service companion animal resource community, Animal Friends supports the region by providing tens of thousands of affordable services and impacting more than 200,000 lives through humane education, pet behavior classes, pet therapy and our pet food bank each year. Animal Friends is proud to continue to save lives . . . simply put, because it’s what we do. At Animal Friends, we believe caring for animals and caring for people go hand in hand. We strive to create a compassionate, humane, inclusive, and healthy workplace where team members feel supported, valued, and connected to our mission.
Position Summary
The Veterinary Technician plays a vital role in supporting Animal Friends’ mission by providing daily medical care and support to animals in our shelter. This position helps ensure animals receive appropriate treatment, are prepared for adoption, and experience safe, compassionate care throughout their stay. The role works closely with veterinarians and the Shelter Medicine team to support both medical outcomes and overall animal well-being.
Key Responsibilities
Primary Responsibilities
• Administer daily medical treatment as prescribed by veterinarians
• Perform physical exams as directed and maintain accurate veterinary records
• Prioritize non-critical cases to support timely movement of animals to the adoption floor
• Contribute to maintaining cleanliness and organization of animal care areas
• Participate in an on-call rotation to respond to after-hours emergencies
Other Duties
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned to support organizational needs.
What We Offer
• Paid time off and birthday pay
• Employee Assistance Program
• Continuing education and professional development opportunities
• Pet care discounts and on-site clinic benefits
• Casual dress and Animal Friends gear
• A mission-driven team and meaningful work that makes a real impact
Our Commitment to Inclusion
Animal Friends is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We value the unique contributions and lived experiences of all team members and encourage applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities to apply.
Requirements
Required Qualifications
• Education: High school diploma or GED required
• Experience: Minimum of three years of experience in animal care and welfare if not licensed/certified as a veterinary technician (shelter experience preferred)
• Certifications/Licensures (if applicable): Veterinary Technician certification or licensure preferred but not required
• Skills and abilities:
- Strong working knowledge of medical terminology
- Proficiency in administering injections (all routes), venipuncture, fecal and urine sample analysis, radiographs, animal restraint, and accurate recordkeeping
- Familiarity with animal welfare and animal care best practices
- Ability to safely handle and restrain dogs, cats, and rabbits of varying size, age, breed, and temperament
• Availability: Must be available for evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call rotation
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Comfort working around dogs, cats, rabbits, and other animals as applicable
Preferred Qualifications
• Veterinary Technician or Assistant degree
Physical, Environmental & Emotional Demands
This position:
• Requires the ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Involves exposure to animals, noise, cleaning agents, and indoor/outdoor environments
• May involve emotionally challenging situations related to animal welfare
• Requires the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with applicable laws.
Salary : $18 - $20