Veterinary Technician

Brief Job Summary:

Assists in ensuring all animals in the shelter's care are kept comfortable and treated with compassion and respect. This role partners closely with internal teams to support daily animal care and medical operations while serving as a key liaison between the medical team, partner organizations, and the public. Reporting to the Director of Animal Welfare and Veterinarian, the position coordinates spay and neuter scheduling for shelter animals, partner organizations, and sliding scale clients, while supporting surgical, diagnostic, and treatment procedures.

Essential Job Functions:

Customer Service Communicates with customers, clients, adopters, fosters, and donors in person and by telephone. Greets and assists all with respect and dignity. Provides exceptional internal and external customer service. Educates adopters and foster caregivers on medication administration and animal medical needs. Triages and responds to questions regarding animals' medical history and records. Medical & Surgical Support Assist Veterinarian with physical examinations, diagnostics, and treatment plans. Prepare animals for surgery, including pre-anesthetic injections, surgical prep, and anesthesia setup. Monitor anesthesia and vital signs during surgical procedures. Provide post-operative care and pain management under veterinary direction. Administer medications, vaccines, and treatments as prescribed. Assist with animal treatments, medications, and special care. Maintain and sterilize surgical instruments and medical equipment. Animal Health & Welfare Assist with intake of surrendered animals, including vaccinations, microchipping, and health checks. Ensure adequate food, water, sanitation, and daily care for animals. Observe and report signs of illness, injury, behavioral concerns, or abnormalities. Implement and monitor treatment protocols and disease control procedures. Support shelter biosecurity standards. Assist as a member of the euthanasia team and determine when euthanasia is appropriate. Assist with cremations according to policy and report equipment issues. Diagnostics & Laboratory Collect and prepare laboratory samples (blood, fecal, urine, skin scrapings). Perform in-house diagnostic testing as directed. Scheduling & Coordination Coordinate all spay and neuter scheduling for shelter animals. Schedule and communicate with partner organizations, including HAFOP and other shelters/rescues. Create, implement, schedule, and communicate with sliding scale program clients. Provide updates to Clinic HQ, Shelter Manager, and Operations regarding surgical schedules and outcomes. Assist with transporting animals to veterinary clinics for scheduled procedures. Recordkeeping & Compliance Maintain accurate and up-to-date medical and shelter records. Assist with processing animal returns to owners in compliance with jurisdictional requirements. Handle administrative duties including answering phones and processing transactions as needed. Comply with all policies and procedures outlined in the Procedure and Employee Manual. Team Collaboration & Facility Support Work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and community service workers. Provide guidance and oversight to volunteers. Maintain cleanliness and organization of all assigned areas. Respond promptly to directives from the Veterinarian and Director of Animal Welfare.

Qualification Requirements:

Education/Experience High School diploma or equivalent. Minimum one year experience working with animals. Preferably one year of experience in a veterinary office. Willingness to obtain Euthanasia Technician Certification. Hours of Work May work independently or as part of a team. Regular interaction with internal and external stakeholders. May require travel within the Helena area. Work performed both indoors (controlled environment) and outdoors in varying weather conditions. Schedule based on operational needs and animal care requirements. Mental/Physical Requirements Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. Frequent bending, stooping, squatting, and working on hands and knees. Ability to work in environments with high noise levels. Patience and ability to handle difficult or aggressive animals. Ability to work effectively with challenging individuals.

Pay:

$17.00 - $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person