The Arizona Animal Welfare League (AAWL) – the largest and oldest no-kill shelter in Arizona – is seeking an experienced Veterinary Technician with strong surgical, interpersonal and communications skills to join our team of veterinary technicians working in a fast-paced shelter/public clinic environment.  AAWL operates two on-site medical clinics: one serving owned animals called MDPetCare and one serving homeless needy animals called shelter clinic.  We’re looking for someone with at least three years’ experience who can be cross-trained and work in either the shelter/MDPetCare clinic assisting veterinarians with surgery and handling in-patient and out-patient care, technician examinations, laboratory duties, treatments, drug dosages and dispensing, surgery duties (including intubation and anesthesia monitoring), dentistry, and medical record notation and maintenance.  Because our shelter animals and MDPetCare patients are being treated by several different veterinarians, the Vet Technician also must be a self-motivated team player who communicates well and has great attention to detail.

This position reports to the Practice Manager.  This is a full-time, non-exempt position.  Available shifts are: regular 5 day/8-hour shifts from 9:00 a.m. – 6 p.m. or 4 day/10 hour shifts from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.  Rotating weekends are required either Saturday or Sunday from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with surgical procedures, including high volume spay/neuter, prepare animals for surgery, including TPR's.
• Pre-medicate and induce patients, including intubation.
• Perform dental scaling and polishing.
• Perform anatomical and dental radiographs.
• Provide critical care for patients if the need arises.
• Surgical pack preparation. 
• Administer medications (IV, SQ, IM, and PO), and vaccinations.
• Perform laboratory procedures including fecals, skin scrapes, and using laboratory equipment.
• Calculate drug doses and fill medications.
• Exposure to disinfectant solutions while disinfecting and cleaning kennels, treatment of areas, and equipment.
• Handling and restraint of animals of various temperaments.
• Recognition of animal behavior cues (ex: fear, anxiety, aggression).
• Prepare and maintain accurate medical records, in-house record keeping, pharmaceutical logs, and vaccination records.
• Provide top-notch customer service.
• Being attentive to client and pet needs.
• Work across departments to resolve conflicts. identify and work compassionately with clients, foster families and/or other members of the public in various emotional states.
• Periodic sitting at a computer station and prolonged standing or walking will be required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Three years’ experience as a veterinary technician
• Surgical experience is required.
• Must be skilled in IV catheter placement, anesthesia induction and intubation, monitoring of anesthesia, blood draws, urinalysis, radiographs, and assisting in surgery and dental cleanings.
• High school diploma or equivalent
• AZ veterinary technician certification is strongly preferred.
• Ability to speak Spanish is strongly preferred.
• Computer literacy is required with general office equipment experience.
• Experience adhering to established policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Able to work collaboratively with multiple health professionals in a busy and complex environment using tact, diplomacy, and discipline.
• Ability to work with diverse individuals within the organization and broader community.
• Ability to adapt to change and accept new duties within a fast-growing organization. 

REQUIREMENTS

Required assistance with surgical procedures.  Surgical experience is required.  Must be comfortable handling dogs and cats on a daily continuous basis with various temperaments.  Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to communicate with animals, the public, volunteers, and staff. Attention to detail is a must.  The ability to be flexible and adaptable is a required as this is a fast-paced changing environment.  The ability to work rotating weekends and holidays is also required.

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS
The range for this position is commensurate with the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA) salaries. Starting salary ranges from $20 - $25 p/h depending on experience.  Benefits include employer-paid medical insurance, paid vacation/sick time off, and twelve paid holidays. Additionally, we offer continuing education and management training opportunities.

About Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA

The mission of AAWL/SPCA is to provide excellent care, protection and loving compassion for the life of the animals entrusted to us and to take a leadership role in promoting humane values for the benefit of all animals and people. Our Vision: To be the community's leading source for pet adoptions, affordable veterinary services, volunteer opportunities, humane education and expertise in animal welfare. The Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA (AAWL & SPCA) is the largest and oldest no-kill shelter in Arizona. A "no-kill" shelter is an animal shelter that does not kill healthy or treatable animals even when the shelter is full, reserving euthanasia for terminally ill animals or those considered dangerous to public safety. AAWL is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, tax ID 23-7149453. AAWL rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes more than 4,000 dogs and cats that are abandoned or that have been surrendered by their owners. We do this primarily by rescuing them from other shelters in Arizona where they are likely to be euthanized due to the lack of time and resources to care for them. At any one time our shelter will hold 140 cats and 190 dogs. We also have a foster ...parent network of approximately 90 families who provide care and shelter in their homes for puppies and kittens that are too young to be adopted, and those animals that are recovering from medical procedures or that need socialization before adoption. All pets offered for adoption have been spayed or neutered; micro-chipped and are current on all vaccinations. Any medical treatments needed, including surgeries, are provided by our medical team and all animals are evaluated by our behavior department. Background The Arizona Animal Welfare League (AAWL) was founded in 1971 by a group of concerned animal lovers. This group was led by Amanda Blake, best known as "Miss Kitty" on the television program, Gunsmoke. Starting out on a small scale, concerned volunteers adopted rescued cats and dogs fromamanda_blake_w_cat_dog.jpg foster homes. In the late 1970s, the organization built its first shelter. By the mid 1990s, the AAWL & SPCA began rescuing animals scheduled to be euthanized by the County, and, after rehabilitation, made them available for adoption to the community. Over the past 44 years the organization has grown from adopting a handful of animals each year to a full service animal welfare organization and leader in innovative behavior training, medical care, adoption, education and community outreach programs. Today our shelter has an onsite veterinary clinic, kennels with a separate cattery, a training center and a freestanding infirmary.

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