Employment

Reports to:   Spay Clinic Manager, Chief Operations Officer
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, temporary full time position

General Summary:
The RVT has the primary responsibility for the cost-effective, sterile, sanitary, and efficient operation of the SSPCA Spay and Neuter Clinic. This position assists the staff veterinarians in the primary care and treatment of pre-op and postoperative surgery animals and maintains all procedures and practices with the Spay Clinic to meet the highest standards possible.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Prepares the Clinic for surgery and performs pre-op surgical duties on animals selected for surgery
2. Provides support during surgery to the Staff Veterinarians.
3. Takes temperature, pulse and respiration.
4. Administers pharmaceuticals such as medications and vaccines
5. Collects and prepares blood, urine, and feces samples
6. Gives intramuscular, intravenous and subcutaneous injections
7. Must be punctual and maintain regular, predictable attendance.
8. Performs the following procedures under the direct supervision of the Staff Veterinarian:

a  Applies casts or splints as necessary
b  Staples or sutures existing skin incisions
c  Administers anesthesia induction by inhalation or intravenous injection
d  Renders emergency animal health care at the scene of an emergency
e  Performs euthanasia in accordance with established policies and California laws
f  Performs routine cleaning and general maintenance of medical equipment, facilities and caging
g Impounds, quarantines and restrains animals as required
h  Examines animals and make referrals to Veterinarian as needed
i  Microchips animals
j  Orders, unloads, stores, and restocks medical supplies and related equipment
k  Provides post-surgical and treatment information to animal owners
l  Assigns and oversees medically related duties to volunteers and Animal Care Attendants
m  Maintains written records for the animal hospital

9. Maintains cleanliness of the surgery room and other related areas, to provide a safe, clean and sterile environment.
10. Must be committed to a high standard of safety and be willing and able to comply with all safety laws and all of the employers safety policies and rules and must be willing to report safety violations and potential safety violations to appropriate supervisory or management personnel.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:
1.       Schedule spay/neuter appointments and completes appropriate paperwork for Spay Clinic related activities (i.e. filing, Spay Clinic correspondence, spay/neuter deposits and refunds, surgery reminders, telephone follow-ups, misc. reports).
2.       Assists in tours, lectures, public education programs, special events and fundraising activities as needed.
3.       Provides accurate information and friendly professional service to the public and to co-workers in a responsive, positive, courteous, truthful and tactful manner.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
1.       Knowledge of domestic animals including breeds, behavior, appropriate care and housing, common health problems, disease symptoms and handling techniques.
2.       Knowledge of aseptic surgical techniques, animal care and husbandry
3.       Knowledge of anesthesia techniques.
4.       Knowledge of sterilization and surgical pack preparation procedures.
5.       Knowledge of State and local codes, ordinances and regulations governing quarantine, impounding, care, and disposal of animals
6.       Ability to identify normal and abnormal animal behavior and symptoms of rabies and other animal disorders
7.       Ability to control and safely handle pharmaceuticals used in the care and handling of animals and disinfectants in the cleaning and disinfecting of animal habitats
8.       Must possess a valid California Drivers license, clear driving record at least one year prior to application, and ability to drive both automatic and standard transmission vehicles.

Education and Experience:
1.       High school graduate or GED equivalent with six months of experience assisting a licensed veterinarian in providing medical treatment to animals, including surgical procedures and medical examinations, in an animal shelter, hospital, or similar environment
2.       Must be licensed and possess registration as a Registered Veterinary Technician by the California Board of Examiners in Veterinary Medicine.
3.       Failure to complete any required continuing education units and to maintain this registration in good standing may constitute cause for termination in accordance with Civil Service Rule 11.4.

Physical Requirements:

1. Any allergic condition that would be aggravated from exposure or through contact with animals or chemicals used to sanitize facilities, vehicles or equipment, may be a disqualification.
2. Must stand, walk, bend, stoop, and sit regularly to perform duties. Have the ability to perform       strenuous physical activity, including lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds alone or up to 100 pounds with the help of fellow employees for short distances.
3. Individuals who are unable to pass physical requirements due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Working Conditions:

1. May be exposed to hostile or abusive members of the public. Must be able to deal with an often times emotion-charged public and carry a fast paced and changing work load which at times can be stressful.
2. By nature of the industry, there may be occasional exposure to dead, injured, sick, unruly, vicious, and/or dangerous animals in addition to exposure to parasites and to infectious diseases.
3. Must be available and willing to work such weekends, holidays, overtime, and attend mandatory training and meetings as the employer determines are necessary or desirable to meet its business needs.

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees, but are not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Either employer or employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time with or without notice and with or without cause.

Department:  Animal Services
Reports to:  Animal Services Manager/Manager of Operations
FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt, One full time position available

General Summary

Employees in this area have the primary responsibility for the sanitary maintenance and care of all animals housed with the SSPCA, maintaining clean and orderly animal housing and employee work areas, assisting with the placement or euthanasia of animals, maintaining the health and welfare of all animals in the care of the society, and assisting the general public as required.

Essential Job Functions
1.  Responsible for examining and processing animals received by the SSPCA, which includes properly completing necessary paperwork.
2.  Maintains proper identification and records on all SSPCA animals.
3.  Responsible for feeding, watering, and exercising all shelter animals.
4.  Rinses, scrubs and disinfects animal cages, hallways, floors, walls and isolation/quarantine areas; cleans water and food dishes and related kennel equipment and facilities.
5.  Bathes and grooms animals, administers vaccinations and completes preliminary physical examinations in a prescribed manner.  Medicates any animal designated for treatment by the Shelter Veterinarian.
6.  Responsible for daily and periodic checks regarding animal health, safety, cleanliness and overall well-being and to report any significant problems immediately to his/her supervisor.
7.  Assist in conducting behavior assessments and health screenings on incoming animals, to include the decision making process of approval or denial for acceptance into the adoption program.
8.  Performs or assists with the euthanasia of animals in accordance with established laws and SSPCA policy; disposes of the euthanised animal in accordance with established SSPCA procedure.
9.  Maintains proper control of DEA controlled substances.
10. Provides accurate information and friendly professional service to the public and to co-workers in a positive, courteous, truthful and tactful manner.
11.  Communicates principals that convey and impart an understanding of the policies and procedures of the SSPCA to the public.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities
1.  Treats all animals humanely, with compassion and concern, both on and off the job, and transmits these values to others.
2.  Assists with tours, lectures, public education programs, fundraising activities and special events as needed.
3.  Conforms to all safety procedures.
4.  Answers all public telephone calls in a professional manner, routes inquiries to the proper person/department, and initiates written messages for follow up.
5.  Must be punctual and maintain reliable, predictable attendance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1.  Basic animal care knowledge.  Preferred – knowledge of domestic animals, including breeds, behavior, appropriate care and housing, common health problems, disease symptoms and handling techniques.
2.  Ability to read and comprehend instructions, short correspondence and memos.
3.  Ability to write reports and correspondence.
4.  Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients and other employees of the organization.
5.  Valid California driver’s license with a clear driving record for at least one year prior to application.  Driving skills for both standard and automatic transmission vehicles.
6.  Basic computer skills using standard office programs such as Word or similar programs.

Education and Experience
1.  High school graduate or GED equivalent with six months related animal care experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Requirements
1. Any allergic condition that would be aggravated from exposure or through contact with animals or chemicals used to sanitize facilities, vehicles or equipment, may be a disqualification.
2.  Must stand, walk, bend and stoop to perform duties.  Have the ability to perform prolonged strenuous physical activity, including lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds alone or up to 100 pounds with the help of fellow employees for short distances.

Working Conditions
1.  May be exposed to hostile or abusive members of the public.  Must be able to deal with an often-times emotion-charged public and carry a fast-paced and changing work load which at times can be stressful.
2.  By nature of the industry, there may be occasional exposure to dead, injured, sick, unruly, vicious, and/or dangerous animals in addition to exposure to parasites and to infectious diseases.
3.  Must be available and willing to work such weekends, holidays, overtime, and attend mandatory training and meetings as the employer determines are necessary or desirable to meet its business needs..

NOTE:  The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees, but are not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.  Either employer or employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time with or without notice and with or without cause.