Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) or Veterinary Assistant

HSSV•Milpitas, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) is a privately funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving people and pets in Silicon Valley since 1929. Its mission is to save lives, keep families together, and create a better future for pets and their people. HSSV describes itself as a collaborative, high-performing team focused on kindness, courage, and impact. The Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) or Veterinary Assistant cares for and treats shelter and privately owned animals at HSSV’s medical center, which cares for more than 7,000 homeless pets and performs more than 8,800 surgeries annually. Depending on the role and organizational needs, duties may include work in an onsite spay/neuter and vaccine clinic, in-house shelter medicine, or mobile spay/neuter and wellness clinics. The schedule is an alternative work week of two to three 10-hour days, with shifts starting as early as 6:30 a.m. and some ending as late as 7:30 p.m. Overtime may be required, and the position requires working at least one weekend day because animals are cared for onsite seven days a week. RVT responsibilities are performed under a DVM’s direct supervision and include anesthesia induction, specified procedures, medication and treatment preparation, medical recordkeeping, imaging, triage, and care for surgical and shelter patients. Veterinary Assistant responsibilities are performed under direct supervision of a DVM or RVT and include assisting with surgical preparation and anesthesia monitoring, treatments, diagnostic tests, and patient care. Both roles involve Fear Free animal handling, maintaining clean and safe work areas, client communication, accurate data entry, and following HSSV protocols.

Requirements

For the RVT role, hold a California-licensed Registered Veterinary Technician credential.
For the Veterinary Assistant role, be able to acquire a Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substance Permit (VACSP) in compliance with the California Veterinary Medical Board.
Have experience caring for animals in a medical or animal shelter setting using Fear Free animal-handling techniques.
Be able to respond appropriately during emergencies and maintain competency in CPR procedures.
Be comfortable and competent handling all types of pet animals.
Have a passion for animal welfare and community impact, with a positive attitude and empathy in an emotional work environment.
Have excellent customer service skills and enjoy a fast-paced work environment.
Be willing to contribute to onsite and mobile clinic needs and help across work areas.
Be motivated to learn and grow, and dedicated to saving lives.
Have outstanding interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build trust, engage internal and external audiences, and influence outcomes with stakeholders.
Work two to three 10-hour days in an alternative work week; hours are based on organizational needs.
Be available for shifts starting as early as 6:30 a.m. and ending as late as 7:30 p.m.; overtime may be required depending on staffing needs.
Work at least one weekend day.

Responsibilities

Work as part of a team of Veterinary Assistants, RVTs, veterinarians, and volunteers to provide a high standard of animal care.
For RVTs, under direct DVM supervision, induce anesthesia; apply casts and splints; perform dental extractions; suture wounds and dental sites; and perform cut-backs for IV catheters.
For Veterinary Assistants, under direct DVM or RVT supervision, assist with preoperative induction and surgical preparation, monitor anesthesia, and care for animals undergoing surgery.
Identify symptoms of common animal illnesses; administer medications, vaccinations, and preventative treatments within the applicable role’s scope; perform diagnostic tests; and triage new shelter intakes.
For RVTs, perform euthanasia procedures on sick and injured animals and participate in medical examinations and soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries.
For Veterinary Assistants, assist with dental x-rays and prophylaxis procedures under direct DVM supervision.
Prepare daily surgery medications and treatments; maintain controlled-drug logs and medical records; and manage the daily flow of surgical patients.
Perform full-body and dental x-rays as an RVT.
Complete standing orders for medical treatment under established protocols.
Triage patients requiring medical attention, including using telehealth technology.
Keep surgical and treatment areas clean and stocked and maintain a safe, sanitary environment.
Use Fear Free animal-handling techniques and restrain animals for surgery and procedures.
Discharge surgical patients and provide customer care and client communications.
Complete data entry and paperwork promptly and accurately.
Follow HSSV safety, disinfection, and animal-care protocols.
Maintain a professional, collaborative attitude with coworkers and staff in other departments.
Perform other duties as assigned.