Veterinary Technician

Kauai Humane Society•Lihue, HI

17d•$0 - $20•Onsite

About The Position

The Kauai Humane Society seeks a veterinary technician to join its shelter medical team. The role involves supporting animal health and shelter medical operations, including examining and processing incoming animals, administering medications and vaccines, assisting with surgical procedures, and alerting the veterinarian when an animal is critically injured or ill. The technician maintains accurate animal identification, medical records, and related paperwork, and helps keep work areas clean and sanitary. The position requires someone who can work well under pressure in a busy, changing environment, maintain attention to detail, and work without direct supervision. Regular, predictable attendance is important because animals depend on technicians for urgent daily care. The role includes collaboration with other departments and may involve emotionally charged interactions with the public and exposure to injured, sick, deceased, or difficult animals. This is an in-person position in a shelter environment. The job is listed as full-time, 36 hours per week, consisting of two 10-hour shifts and two 8-hour shifts. Candidates already living on Kauai, or who have secured housing there within the next two weeks, are strongly preferred and will receive first consideration.

Requirements

High school graduate or GED equivalent.
Ability to work well under pressure in a busy, constantly changing environment, with attention to detail and without direct supervision.
Ability to maintain regular, predictable attendance.
Basic computer skills, including use of Gmail, Google Shared Drive, and Docs, and ability to learn PetPoint.
Ability to work with dogs and cats of varying sizes, breeds, and temperaments.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, and stoop frequently and daily.
Ability to perform prolonged strenuous physical activity, including lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds alone or up to 100 pounds with assistance for short distances.
Ability to chase or run after animals that may escape confinement.
Ability to handle an emotionally charged public and a fast-paced, changing workload that may be stressful.
Agreement to work in an environment that may involve exposure to injured, sick, deceased, or difficult animals with varying health concerns.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience in animal welfare is strongly preferred.
Experience assisting a licensed veterinarian with animal medical treatment, including surgical procedures and medical examinations, in an animal shelter, hospital, or similar environment is strongly preferred.
Full vaccination against COVID-19 is strongly preferred.
Already living on Kauai, or having secured housing on Kauai within the next two weeks, is strongly preferred and receives first consideration.

Responsibilities

Examine and process animals received by KHS, complete required paperwork, and maintain accurate identification and records.
Assist with surgical procedures, including preparing animals, intubating patients, and monitoring anesthesia and recovery.
Complete surgical paperwork, including log books and entries in the shelter database.
Administer vaccinations and medications and conduct preliminary physical examinations according to prescribed procedures.
Assist with behavior assessments and health screenings for incoming animals.
Prescribe treatments according to established protocols or as directed by the shelter veterinarian, and medicate animals designated for treatment.
Enter examination results, diagnoses, and treatments into PetPoint and complete electronic medical records.
Take temperatures, collect blood and fecal samples, and perform diagnostic tests as directed.
Create medication charts and prepare medications for shelter animals.
Perform or assist with euthanasia and animal disposal in accordance with applicable laws and KHS policy.
Bathe and groom animals as requested or needed.
Control and handle pharmaceuticals used in animal care.
Work with staff in other departments as needed to maintain shelter animals’ health.
Use standard office programs, including Gmail, Google Shared Drive, and Docs, and learn to use PetPoint.
Perform other duties as assigned.