The Humane Society of Sonoma County (HSSC) has a longstanding tradition of giving hope to homeless animals and supporting our community through public facing and safety net programs. We are very excited to offer a position for a Registered Veterinary Technician.  This is an exciting opportunity to work for an organization voted Best Nonprofit, Best Animal Adoption Center, and Best Charity Event (Wags, Whiskers & Wine) in Sonoma County by the North Bay Bohemian!

We are passionate about bringing people and companion animals together for a lifetime of love, and we are dedicated to increasing access to veterinary care for our community to keep these families together.

Serving our community since 1931, the Humane Society of Sonoma County (HSSC) is a donor-supported safe haven for animals. If you love animals and people…you will feel right at home in our pack!

The RVT is responsible for providing high quality, humane animal care while maintaining the highest standard of medical care for a busy shelter clinic. The Spay/Neuter team provides a crucial service to our shelter animals and our community. The RVT will be responsible for performing pre-surgical exams, inducing anesthesia, monitoring animals under anesthesia, recovering animals from anesthesia, and oversight/training of vet assistants. Our public-facing Community Veterinary Clinic provides low cost medical care for individuals in the community who qualify based on low income. The RVT will assist DVMs with exams, perform diagnostics, treatments, and anesthetic procedures, communicate treatment plans with owners, discharge patients, and other tasks as needed.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Assist Veterinarians with examinations, treatments, anesthetic procedures, and associated record keeping for all animal patients. 
• Administer oral and injectable medications, subcutaneous fluids, vaccinations, and microchips.
• Serve as liaison with other department managers to coordinate care of animals.
• Prep animals for surgery – pre-med, induce and intubate, and monitor animals while under anesthesia.
• Follow proper cleaning and sterilization of all surgical equipment, drapes, gowns, etc.
• Assist with discharge of public surgery patients following spay/neuter surgery. 
• Return shelter animals to their cages, habitats and kennels following surgery.
• Monitor the health, safety, behavior and appearance of shelter animals and report observations that require medical care or other attention. 
• Clean and disinfect animal areas as necessary to maintain a safe and sanitary environment.
• Perform light maintenance at the end of each day as needed.
• Stock medical supplies in surgery and treatment areas ensuring that supplies are organized and ready for the next day.
• Run Shelter Buddy reports and performs other administrative duties for shelter medicine.
• Follow OSHA standards and be able to find Material Safety Data Sheets quickly.
• Always be in position and prepared to work at the start of each scheduled shift.
• Promote a positive attitude among staff and assist other employees as needed.
• Show respect for team members and animals (alive or deceased) at all times.
• Handle stress and pressure with poise while working in a high pace working environment.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records. 
• Maintain a pleasant, professional, courteous and tactful position with co-workers and the public at all times. 
• Actively support and promote the mission and goals of the Humane Society ensuring a positive image, enhancing the operation of the organization, and improving the quality of life for animals. 
• Assist with euthanasia in accordance with Humane Society’s policies & California laws.
• Other duties as assigned to ensure a positive public image and to enhance the operation of the organization and improve the quality of life for the animals.
• Always strive to work with the 5 freedoms of animal welfare in mind: 
Freedom from hunger or thirst by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigor
Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area
Freedom from pain, injury or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment
Freedom to express (most) normal behavior by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind
Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering

Supervision: This position reports directly to the Director of Veterinary Operations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
• Knowledge of monitoring equipment.
• Knowledge of medications including controlled drugs.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Promote a positive attitude among staff.
• Provide excellent customer service both internally and externally.
• Be willing and available to stay late or through breaks as needed, to assist with emergency or critical patients.
• Ability to work independently as well as a member of a team.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Must be able to interact with animals.
• Must be able to communicate effectively (speak and listen).
• Must be able to lift and move objects and animals up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to sit; stand, walk, use hands to handle objects/operate keyboards and telephones; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work environment: 
The employee is working in a shelter environment and will be exposed to moderately loud noise levels (such as 
barking dogs, ringing phones), cleaning agents, bites, scratches, and animal waste. There is possible exposure to 
zoonotic diseases.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum two years’ experience working in a veterinary practice or exceptionally mature and hard-working attitude.
• Current and active RVT License in California

About Humane Society of Sonoma County

Serving our community since 1931, the Humane Society of Sonoma County is a donor-supported safe haven for animals. We’re dedicated to bringing people and companion animals together for a lifetime of love. The animals in our care receive medical treatment (including spay/neuter surgery), training services, and adoption assistance. We recently celebrated the 4th year anniversary of our Community Veterinary Clinic, offering low-cost medical care to community members with animals in need. We believe that no effort is too great when a life is at stake. With your help, we give hope to every adoptable animal. The Humane Society of Sonoma County is a no-kill shelter with two locations in Sonoma County; our primary Center for Animals is located at 5345 Hwy 12 West in Santa Rosa. Our Healdsburg shelter is located at 555 Westside Road in Healdsburg.

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