Spay/Neuter Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) at SAN FRANCISCO SPCA

Description

Here for animals since 1868, the San Francisco SPCA is a cherished San Francisco institution, known for compassion, excellence and innovation in the fields of animal welfare and veterinary medicine.  

We operate a public veterinary hospital, a high-quality, high-volume spay-neuter clinic, a community veterinary clinic, and provide low-cost community medicine programs. The SF SPCA saves the lives of homeless dogs and cats through our shelter medicine and adoption programs. Our innovative programs and services serve as models for humane organizations across the country and around the world. 

As a community-supported nonprofit, not affiliated with any national organization, our values: Be Generous, Fearless, and Connected guide over 350 talented and dedicated professionals to deliver on our promises each day.  Iconic and innovative, the SF SPCA offers you the opportunity to join a team committed not only to veterinary excellence and animal welfare, but to a balanced and rewarding work environment. 

Role Description 

The RVT is the primary medical care provider for the patients at the SF SPCA’s High Volume High Quality Spay/Neuter Clinic. The patients at the S/N clinic include animals from the public and community cats. The RVT also performs treatments at the department’s various preventative medicine clinics.  This role reports to the Spay/Neuter Nursing Care Manager and works a 4/10 schedule.

There are 3 levels to the RVT positions at the SF SPCA.  The level at which the RVT is hired is dependent on previous clinical veterinary experience. 

Core Responsibilities 

Veterinary Care  

• Know how to perform a basic physical exam, and recognize normal and abnormal parameters in a variety of canine and feline patients 
• Be able to recognize signs of pain and distress. 
• Understanding of infectious disease in patients and control 
• Be able to simultaneously monitor multiple patients at various stages of anesthesia  
• Be able to recognize and appropriately respond to anesthetic emergencies 
• Knowledge of principles of sterility, maintain sterile fields 
• Prepare patients for surgery, assist in surgery when required 
• Know how to operate an anesthesia machine 
• Know how to operate various anesthesia monitoring equipment 
• Knowledge of commonly used veterinary surgical equipment 
• Be familiar with commonly used veterinary drugs 
• Induction of veterinary anesthetic drugs 
• Intubation of feline and canine patients of various sizes 
• IV catheter placement 
• Be able to calculate drug and fluid dosages  
• Familiarity with veterinary terminology and abbreviations 
• Perform venipuncture, and intramuscular and subcutaneous injections 
• Knowledge of common surgical instrument names, surgical instrument care  
• Be able to operate an autoclave machine 
• Comply with all laws pertaining to controlled substances, record keeping and drug logs  
• Be familiar with and apply stress-free animal handling and restraint techniques 
• Perform other duties as required—take radiographs, laboratory work, participate in medical care of shelter animals according to established protocols 
• Able to interpret treatment sheets and administer treatment to patients (PO, topically, otic, ocular) under the direction of a veterinarian  
• Facilitate good working relationships through teamwork and collaboration. 
• Proactively communicate with other team members to assure excellent patient care  
• Keep up to date in veterinary medicine with regular continuing education. 

Administrative Duties 

• Maintain and create patient records by accurately recording treatments, surgery and dental notes, examinations, and test results on computerized patient charts and other medical records 
• Read and respond to work related e-mails at least one time per shift 
• Participate in regular staff meetings and medical rounds 

Client and Community Service  

• Practice and encourage the humane treatment of animals 
• Handle and discharge animals from the spay neuter and preventative medicine clinics in a responsive, courteous, and tactful manner to both internal and external clients  
• Inform clients of any pertinent medical information regarding animal care  
• Provide quality customer service to clients, volunteers, and staff while actively promoting our mission, services, programs and events 
• Promote donation and giving opportunities as appropriate  

Safety 

• Ensure a safe work environment by following all safety guidelines and modeling safe work practices (to include animals, equipment, drugs, chemicals, radiology, sharps, biohazardous material) 
• Take immediate action to address any safety concerns that could put a staff member, volunteer, customer, animal, or the organization at risk 
• Maintain a clean, healthy, and sanitary work area; follow all pest and rodent control protocols. Participate in keeping the SF/SPCA campus clean and well maintained. 

Requirements

Work is performed in high volume surgery and clinic setting 

• Regularly moves about the campus 
• Frequent bending, reaching, kneeling, and climbing stairs while seeing patients 
• Regular sitting at a computer workstation 1-4 hours per day (input patient data, work email, dentals) 
• Exposure to disinfectant solutions 
• Practice proper conduct in treatment room and surgery 
• Subject to animal bites and scratches while handling animals 
• Repeated lifting and carrying of animals weighing up to 50 pounds 
• Exposure and low stress handling of dogs and cats of various behaviors  
• Consistent exposure to animals and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available 
• Exposure to contagious and/or zoonotic diseases 
• Tetanus and rabies (pre-exposure) inoculations are required or must be waived  
• Attendance must remain above 95% of scheduled shifts. 

Education and Experience: 

• Registered Veterinary Technician in the state of California 
• High school diploma or equivalent certification 
• Exposure to common veterinary hospital equipment and tools  
• 1 year of anesthesia experience in a veterinary setting 
• Experience in field medicine or surgery, animal welfare, or high volume spay/neuter clinic a plus 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Commitment to the mission, values, goals, and success of the San Francisco SPCA 
• Knowledge of the rules and regulations of what an RVT can perform as provided by the California Veterinary Medical Board 
• Experience with safe and humane animal handling and restraint techniques of healthy, ill, and unsocialized or feral animals 
• Comfortable working in an environment that adheres to infectious disease protocols  
• Computer literate and able to master veterinary software as applicable to clinic operations 
• Knowledge of basic dog and cat physiology, anatomy, and behavior as it relates to understanding the general health of animals. 
• Understanding of advanced clinical veterinary skills: anesthesia, pharmacology, disease process, injury, emergency medicine and veterinary medical equipment. 
• Ability to understand and communicate pertinent medical information with colleagues and clients 
• Self motivated and able to initiate and complete tasks 
• Professional attitude and appearance; maturity, positivity and good judgment 
• Expect RVT I to advance to RVT II within one year. 

Salary and Benefits

The starting salary for this position depends on the depth and breadth of experience. The expected range is $34.00 - $40.00 per hour.  Regular, full-time positions are eligible for a benefits package including:

• Paid Time Off and Holiday pay 
• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance 
• Life Insurance 
• Long-term Disability Insurance 
• 401k Retirement Plan and contribution matching 
• Student debt relief program 
• Pre-tax Commuter Benefits 
• Discounts on retail and pet supplies 
• Discounts on veterinary care at our SF SPCA Veterinary Hospital and Clinic 

The SF SPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This job description reflects the assignment of essential functions and does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. The San Francisco SPCA is an at-will employer and may conduct pre-employment background checks and drug screening depending on the role.