Why join our team?

As a Canine Companions employee, you’ll enjoy knowing that every day you make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. You’ll give independence and give a dog a job! 

Canine Companions' dedication to our mission is only equaled to our dedication to our employees.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive benefit program including employer-paid medical, dental and vision for staff
• 14 paid holidays, including an Inclusion Holiday
• 17 paid days off during your first year (Paid time off, PTO), including hours to serve your community
• Employer matched 403(b) retirement plan
• Employee Assistance Program/Wellness Programs
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee dedicated to ongoing efforts to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace by setting actionable goals and evaluating progress

“I am so thankful and proud to work for an organization that not only cares about the people it serves, but also for the people it hires to provide the services.” 

-Senior Fundraising Team Member

About the Position

This position works closely with a team of veterinarians, kennel technicians, Canine Early Development Center (CEDC) technicians, volunteers, and other veterinary staff to deliver quality patient care and ensure the well-being of dogs at the Veterinary Hospital and the CEDC as well as those housed in volunteer homes. The position also plays an integral role in training and educating staff and volunteers on proper medical care and protocols.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned as needed: 

• Nursing Care: 

• Deliver hands-on care to dogs, including physical exams, health checks, feeding, grooming, and monitoring dogs' well-being.
• Administer oral, topical, and injectable medications, including vaccinations.

• Anesthesia & Surgery

• Administer and monitor anesthesia. Supervise anesthetic recovery and administer pain medication and sedatives. 
• Assist in surgical procedures and provide emergency first aid that includes treatment and triage.
• Establish IV catheters and administer IV fluid therapy and treatments.

• Breeding & Whelping

• Assist in breeding dogs, estrus tracking, and reproductive procedures.
• Assist with monitoring and care of dams and their puppies during and after a whelp.

• Dentistry

• Perform dental procedures such as scaling and polishing of teeth, dental radiography, and assist with extractions. 

• Diagnostics 

• Obtain blood, urine, and other diagnostic samples.

• Perform laboratory examinations involving blood, urine, feces, and parasite identifications.
• Ensure proper processing and packaging of lab samples for transport. 
• Perform and assist in x-rays, including PennHIP studies. 

• Client and Volunteer Communication 

• Screen calls and route or respond appropriately with a focus on excellent customer service. 
• Participate in after-hours emergency on-call phone rotation. 
• Provide guidance on post-operative, pregnancy, post-ultrasound, and post-whelp dam and litter care.

• Administrative 

• Maintain appropriate drug inventory including compliance with FDA/DEA/AAHA for controlled drugs as to logging inventory in and out and reporting back to state agencies. 
• Maintain hospital logs as directed by the veterinarian, which includes surgical logs, controlled substance logs, x-ray logs, and lab work logs. Document all treatments and procedures in a timely manner. 
• Create, maintain, and dispense routine medical handouts. 

• Other 

• Fill pharmaceutical prescriptions. 
• Log medication usage, including controlled drugs, as appropriate.
• Lift and restrain animals for veterinary examinations. 
• Maintain and clean medical, surgical, and technical equipment. Report any abnormalities to the veterinarian and schedule regular maintenance checks and repairs. 
• Oversee and maintain inventory and cleanliness in the exam room, pharmacy, x-ray, and surgical suite. 
• Maintain sanitary recovery runs, including disinfecting runs daily and doing laundry to ensure clean blankets and towels for use pre/post-surgery. 
• Be accountable not only for direct responsibilities outlined in this job description but also for serving fellow staff and other constituents with whom the position interacts. Ensure actions and communications are honest and transparent. 

MUST HAVES:

• Able to perform several tasks concurrently, time management and organizational skills.
• Must be able to safely lift 45 pounds and safely handle, hold and restrain active dogs weighing up to 110 pounds. Employees should seek assistance when lifting dogs or objects weighing more than 45 lbs.
• Able to communicate via phone and e-mail.
• Able to use Microsoft Office, business and database software.
• Able to keep up to date with current veterinary technology and equipment.
• Able to use digital x-ray, dentistry, and ultrasound machine.
• Able to complete necessary paperwork and meet deadlines.
• Able to work well will staff; good interpersonal skills and a pleasant manner dealing with volunteers and the general public.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• RVT License

NICE TO HAVE:

• 2-3 years as a registered veterinary technician in a full-service hospital setting

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The employee will work indoors performing veterinary procedures and protocols. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is subject to hazards that can be caused by working with animals, veterinary equipment, medicine and chemicals. Activities include regular and/or repeated walking, standing, bending, stooping and kneeling. The noise level in work environment is usually quiet to moderate but can be loud at specific times.

SCHEDULE: Full time. Weekend and holiday work may be required.

PAY: $21.00 - $28.00 per hour

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process.

The base salary range above represents the low and high of the range for this position. Actual salaries will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of total compensation package for employees.

Pursuant to local Fair Chance Ordinances, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.