Looking to make a difference in the lives of pets and people? With an almost year-round beautiful blue sky and a scenic mountain backdrop, HSPPR is a nonprofit animal shelter serving El Paso, Pueblo, and Douglas Counties as well as the City of Centennial in the colorful State of Colorado. We employ a total of 200+ employees. We are an organization that celebrates and prioritizes diversity and inclusion. HSPPR welcomes you to apply for this exciting opportunity at our socially conscious organization.

Job Summary

Assists in all aspects of the Surgery Center and Hospital in an efficient and professional manner. Works cohesively with all departments of the organization.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Administers treatment and anesthesia to Veterinary Clinic animals under the direction of staff veterinarians. Provides excellent patient care and ensures proper diets are provided to animals.
• Maintains medical/surgical treatment records and reports in an accurate and timely manner and in accordance with HSPPR procedures, updates records in the shelter database. Maintains drug logs for all controlled substances.
• Communicates with customers and other shelter staff concerning the health of animals in the Veterinary Clinic. Answers general questions about HSPPR procedures and veterinary care of animals.
• Assists in the maintenance of the Surgery Center and facility equipment to assure cleanliness and safety.
• Provides accurate information and friendly professional service to the public by assisting with the drop offs coming in for surgery in the mornings and post-op instructions after surgery at the end of the day. Explains risks of anesthesia, nature of the procedure being done, and post-op care and has client sign paperwork and plan for picking up later in the day.
• Fills all medications from a central pharmacy and ensures all animals receive the appropriate medication.
• Works with Staff Veterinarians, Veterinary Services Manager, Veterinary Services Supervisor, and Operations management in developing and adhering to current treatment, vaccination, and medical treatment protocols. Assists the veterinarians as required with treatments and medication orders.
• Administers treatments per the veterinarians' orders and provides excellent supportive care for all injured and ill animals.
• Provides direction and triage for incoming animals in need of medical attention.
• Maintains medical treatment records and reports in an accurate and timely manner and in accordance with HSPPR procedures. Updates records in the shelter database with information regarding the health status of each animal and appropriate follow-ups.
• Communicates on a daily basis with the shelter veterinarians on-site and in COS regarding the status of animals in treatment. Brings concerns forward and triages priorities throughout the day by working with shelter staff.
• Reviews all Medical Alerts by examining and medicating as needed, following medical protocols, and moving animals to appropriate isolation areas as indicated. Assists with processing new animals. Provides medical support for animals in foster care.
• Performs Euthanasia as required and trains staff in proper protocols.
• Performs in-house laboratory testing and radiographs. Calculates appropriate drug dosages and fluid rates for patient care.
• Cleans and disinfects kennels and health care areas as needed to ensure they are maintained in a sanitary and organized manner.
• Provides proper diets for hospitalized patients and charts everything related to medications, diet and eliminations.
• Cleans and disinfects parvo ward and provides all care and treatment for parvo patients.
• Works with and provides training as required for new hires, externs, and volunteers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Other:

• Commitment to the mission, values, goals and success of HSPPR.
• Appropriately documents observed animal behaviors utilizing objective language as required in relevant procedures and/or policies.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Duties

None

Physical Demands

• Regularly sits at computer station, often in a shared office environment.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move 25 or more pounds of moving weight and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 or more pounds of moving weight.
• May be occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl.
• Regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, hear, and is frequently required to stand and walk. May be expected to be on feet for extended periods of time.
• Consistently exposed to animals in the workplace and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.
• Regularly exposed to noise and potential exposure to hazardous weather conditions.
• Potential exposure to cleaning supplies and/or other substances containing toxic or caustic chemicals.

Schedule Requirements

Schedule may include weekend and holiday work.

Education/Experience Necessary

• High School diploma or general education degree (GED).
• Prior animal handling and customer service experience preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of experience working as a veterinary technician preferred.
• Veterinary Assistant Certificate from an accredited institution or equivalent education in veterinary technician program preferred.

The core values of the staff unite us and guide us to provide the best service to the animals in our care, our organization, and our community.

Core Values Statements-

• Compassion: We believe that animals matter. We are committed to treating animals and people with kindness, respect, and compassion.

• Stewardship: We are accountable and transparent in our actions and in the use of our resources to build trust in those we serve.

• Integrity: We believe we can make the greatest impact by staying true to our mission, always doing what is best for the animals and people of our community, and by standing united in our decisions.

• Excellence: We are passionate about our mission, and strive for excellence through continual learning, innovation, and the development of our board, staff and volunteers.

• Collaboration: We seek strategic partnerships and alliances to advance the welfare and protection of animals and people.

• Service: We exist to serve our communities and operate with this commitment to serve as front and center in all we do.