Licensed Veterinary Technician

About HSJCWA

The Humane Society of Jefferson County, Washington (HSJCWA) serves and improves the lives of animals and people in Jefferson County, WA as a non-profit, open admissions animal shelter providing rehoming/adoptions, ASV/ASNA adherent medical and low-income spay and neuter services, licenses, community education, & behavior/training support. Our animals are not euthanized for space or time limits.

Located on the beautiful Quimper Peninsula at the base of the Olympic Mountains, ours is a small community animal shelter with an intake of approximately 500 animals per year. We are currently only receiving domestic cats and dogs.

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 Veterinary Department at The Humane Society of Jefferson County, WA, is shelter vet led, focused on developing and implementing a holistic approach to modern, progressive sheltering. Emphasis is on animal stress reduction/management and ASV/ASNA adherent care, handling, medicine and surgery. We strongly believe that homeless pets deserve the same dedication and level of care afforded to owned pets.

Our Shelter Medicine program is relatively new and is seeking a dedicated, skilled, innovative, energetic, compassionate Licensed Veterinary Technician to help lead the direction and growth of our department. HSJCWA leadership is planning the construction of a new shelter facility to include a community medical and surgical clinic for our county’s most vulnerable pets. Our Lead Technician will have the opportunity to play a pivotal role in developing these new programs.

The Lead Technician reports to the shelter vet and works with other departments to ensure that each shelter animal meets adoption criteria and is ready to succeed in its forever home. Full or part-time position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

• Carry out the direction of the Shelter Veterinarian(s) in providing routine medical and surgical care to shelter residents; manage, train, and coach veterinary assistants.
• Educate, coach, and assist shelter staff and volunteers in ASV adherent animal care, stress reduction, low stress handling, sanitation, and treatments of all shelter animals.
• Accurately communicate medical conditions, ongoing treatment plans, and post-placement needs of animals in a clear and timely manner to other staff and members of the public, particularly potential adopters and foster parents. Provide medical and surgical nursing care under the direction of the Shelter Veterinarian.

Medical Responsibilities

• Maintain a calm, low key, patient focused clinic environment. Demonstrate and practice a strong interest in learning and integrating low stress handling at all levels of patient interaction
• Recognize and respond appropriately to signs of animal pain and distress
• Provide routine, skilled, and compassionate nursing care
• Specimen collection, submissions to outside lab, performing and expanding in house diagnostic procedures
• Accurately record all treatments, examinations, test results, procedures etc. in medical records
• Adhere to The Six Rights of Medication Administration; create, update, and oversee treatment logs
• Communicate and work closely with foster families in collaboration with the volunteer manager
• Oversee inventory, ordering, facility and equipment maintenance
• Controlled drug log maintenance

Surgical & Anesthesia Responsibilities

• Oversee all stages of general anesthesia for OHE’s, OC’s, and other routine surgeries, with a goal of maintaining comprehensive pain/anxiety management and upholding our 0 M&M rate
• Demonstrate proficiency in induction, venopuncture, intubation, surgical prep, and anesthetic depth/vitals monitoring throughout all stages
• Dental radiography and COHATs

Qualifications:

Required Experience

• Current Washington State Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) in good standing.
• At least two years experience working as a Veterinary Assistant, or one year as a Licensed Veterinary Technician in veterinary medicine including both medicine and anesthesia/surgery

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?

If you are passionate about animal welfare and ready to make a difference in the lives of pets in need, we invite you to apply today to join our dedicated team at the Humane Society of Jefferson County, WA!

$2,500 sign on bonus and a week vacation banked with 2 year commitment!

Regular, full-time position is eligible for our standard benefit package, plus:

Professional Dues, Association Dues, RECOVER CPR Certification, ASPCA Learn

Pay: $31.00 - $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

Salary : $31 - $37