Entry Level Animal Internships Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is currently seeking a Veterinary Assistant to join our team. This is a temporary full-time, FLSA nonexempt opportunity.

Since 1897, HSSW has been the leader in animal welfare across Southwest Washington. With an annual operating budget of $15 million, we are the largest and most innovative animal welfare organization in the region. Our shelter campuses in Vancouver and Longview, WA serve more than 10,000 animals each year, providing high-quality care, medical services, and the compassion they deserve. 

Our community-based approach helps keep pets and people together. Through the Nierenberg Community Veterinary Clinic, the Sandra Richardson Miller Mobile Veterinary Clinic, the Swigert Family Behavior & Training Center, and programs like free pet food and other essential resources, we serve more than 18,000 owned animals annually expanding access to affordable veterinary care, spay/neuter, training, and support. 

We also own and operate ReTails Thrift Store, a top shopping destination named Best Thrift Store in Clark County for eight consecutive years, providing vital funding for our mission. 

At HSSW, you'll find an innovative, high-energy culture where your passion for animals and people can make a real difference. We're looking for team members who want to be part of something bigger: supporting pets, strengthening families, and shaping the future of animal welfare in Southwest Washington. HSSW has been honored as Best Non-Profit for two years running-a recognition of our impact and leadership in the community. 

Veterinary Assistant (Levels 1, 2, & 3)

The mission of the Veterinary Assistant is to have the greatest positive impact on the continuity of care an animal receives during its stay at HSSW through daily monitoring and by treatment of health conditions and surgical procedures that keep in alignment with HSSW's vision, mission, values, and standard operating procedures. The Veterinary Assistant is responsible for monitoring and treating all animals under veterinary care and assisting the Surgery Team with providing excellent quality, high volume spay/neuter surgery.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

VA Level 1 - Basic Entry Level tasks

• Assist with daily pre- and post-op care of surgical patients and disease control protocols.
• Maintains a clean, sterile, and functioning prep and surgery room.
• Cleans and maintains surgical instruments; prepares surgical packs.
• Restrains animals for exams and anesthetic induction; assists in surgical prep.
• Assists Licensed Veterinary Technician and Surgeons.
• Enters surgery records into database; maintains paperwork.
• Cleans and disinfects tables, floors, cages, and surgery equipment.
• Monitors, treats, and medicates all animals under veterinary care. 
• Assists Veterinarian in examinations, treatments, diagnostics, and other duties.
• Input data into Shelter Buddy regarding exams, medications, and treatments.
• Demonstrates and teaches technical skills and proper sanitation protocols and procedures to other staff members of HSSW who participate in animal care.
• Cleans and maintains areas of shelter clinic.
• Assists with inventory and orders supplies.
• Promotes a safe working environment and follows safety protocols. 
• Maintains equipment in good working condition. 
• Educates clients on pre- and post-surgical care of their animals. 
• Integrates with volunteers and workforce partners, taking an active role in their training, safety, performance, and job satisfaction.
• Responds to inquiries and concerns from Foster Care providers and volunteers, schedules, and assists with appointments.
• Attends continuing education and performs other duties and special projects.

VA Level 2 - adding these tasks...

• Provides training to staff/volunteers on disease control standards, shelter medicine protocols, and foster care guidelines. 
• Provides advice and resources on HSSW programs and other animal welfare-related topics.
• Provides orientation and training to veterinary students, veterinary assistants, and interns.
• Proficient in lab work and radiology
• High level of skill in Shelter Buddy, able to run reports and complete data entry.
• Fill prescriptions.
• Make decisions and solve problems independently. 

VA Level 3 - adding these tasks...

• CPR trained.
• Able to become Registered Medication Clerk
• Perform euthanasia of selected animals with compassion and participate in Euthanasia Technician training.

Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Licenses, and Credentials

• Competent in monitoring anesthesia and assisting surgeon. 
• Effective organization skills 
• Excellent customer service skills 
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively as a team. 
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a demanding environment.
• Display compassion and confidence when communicating with the public, staff, and volunteers.
• Meticulous with the ability to maintain and organize written and computerized records.

General Expectations

• Promote, and follow safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment. 
• Display initiative and exercise good judgment.
• Exercise good judgment when working with the public, volunteers, workforce partners and staff.
• Committed to maintaining the integrity of the HSSW's mission and adoption program and the importance of Spay/Neuter to end pet overpopulation.
• Adheres to agency policies and procedures, providing a positive example/role model for other employees.
• Maintains a positive and respectful attitude, displaying excellent people skills and high degree of emotional intelligence. 
• Demonstrates flexible and efficient time management and ability to prioritize workload.
• Consistently reports to work on time prepared to perform duties of position.
• Meets department productivity standards.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The Veterinary Assistant must be able to safely work with a variety of animals. In addition, they must be able to stand, walk, sit, talk, and hear, stoop, bend, squat, kneel, stretch, grasp, and grip, put fingers together firmly and reach above and below shoulder level and lift, push, pull , lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds of weight, repetitively use hands to operate computers, flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist. 

Work is performed in an animal shelter veterinary clinic environment, with exposure to environmental conditions that include working with and near animals. Primary workplace is at an animal shelter that operates 7 days per week with potential exposure to fractious animals; high noise levels; zoonotic diseases; animal bites and scratches; cleaning chemicals and allergens. Potential exposure of infectious diseases to owned animals.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" relationship. HSSW participates in E-Verify.

Compensation 

The hourly pay for this position ranges from $19.00 to $21.00 per hour. Starting wage is dependent upon experience. 

Employee Benefits and Perks
In addition to serving in an organization with a compassionate and strategic purpose, eligible employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and a variety of employee perks. 

Benefits include: 

• Health insurance effective the first of the month following hire (full-time employees). 
• Dental and vision insurance effective the first of the month following hire. 
• Matching percentage 401(k) retirement plan beginning the first month after hire, with a 3-year graded vesting schedule and ROTH contribution option. 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available to all employees and household members. 
• Section 125 FSA Cafeteria Plan for out-of-pocket health and/or dependent day care expenses. 
• Access to affordable life, disability, and accidental supplemental insurance. 
• Numerous employee discounts and discounts with partner organizations. 
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer. To learn more about this Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation. 

Paid Time Off (PTO)  

This position accrues PTO at a rate of 1.6 hours for every 40 hours worked.  

Additional Paid time includes: 

• Floating Holidays (full-time employees). 
• Bereavement leave 
• Pet bereavement leave 

Culture 

Vision: A community where everyone loves and cares for animals. 

Mission: Rescue. Return. Restore. Rehome. Reconnect. One animal at a time 

Values: Compassion. Collaboration. Excellence. Service. Integrity. 

The ultimate team player: 

• Displays interest, enthusiasm, and an affinity for working with people. 
• Demonstrates an attitude in being of-service, using good judgment, maintaining a positive outlook, and ideally, a sense of humor. 
• Works well in teams and demonstrates an attitude and commitment to collaboration with a sincere interest in helping others succeed. 
• Is committed to achieving excellence individually and as a part of the team. 
• Exhibits adaptability, curiosity, flexibility to change, open to new ideas, and encourages others to recognize changes in work tasks, situations, and environment as an opportunity for transformation. 
• Is committed to personal and professional development through life-long learning. 

How to Apply 

Does HSSW sound like the right place for you?  

Does this job sound like a great fit & do you meet the qualifications for this position? 

If so, then click the Apply button to begin your journey to join our team today. HSSW participates in E-Verify 

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations during the hiring process for qualified applicants with disabilities. 

For more information visit https://HSSW.org/careers/.  

Application Deadline: Open until filled.