Triage Technician

Washington

Job Description Job Description Job Summary:

The Humane Rescue Alliance seeks a triage technician to join a dynamic team of medical professionals to provide consistent and efficient intake procedures to all animals in our care. This position will be one of the first people to interact with every animal that enters our system, ensuring each patient is treated humanely and compassionately. They will work closely with our pet support, field services and animal care teams with a focus on patient care and completion of tasks to move animals through the shelter system as quickly as possible. This position offers a unique opportunity to work for an innovative, mission-oriented organization committed to changing the landscape of animal welfare.

Must be committed to providing incremental levels of support to owned animals to support accessible and improved care in the home and maintain the human-animal bond and ensure that medical information is shared with clients in a way that is friendly, approachable, and clear, and that it complies with policies and mission of organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Perform triage exams on all incoming animals with a focus on disease recognition and outcome pathway planning.

Assisting DVM with incoming animals with urgent medical conditions.

Work with Animal Flow Manager, behavior and adoptions staff to determine the correct pathway of incoming animals ie; Adoption, Transfer, Medical Treatment, Spay/Neuter etc.

Complete intake appointments including administering vaccinations, parasite treatments, and routine screenings on a variety of species.

Scanning for and Implantation of Microchips.

Monitors HRA email and population management software to ensure animals coming from multiple avenues receive intake vaccines and triage exam.

Collect laboratory samples including blood, urine, feces.

Prepare laboratory samples to be sent to reference laboratory and/or perform in-house lab work.

Start treatment for common shelter ailments following standard operating procedures.

Perform Diagnostics as needed including but not limited to SNAP Canine Heartworm and SNAP Parvovirus.

Scheduling veterinary examinations based on findings of triage exams.

Update and maintain patient files, review care plans, and handle other administrative duties, as necessary.

Assist with equipment maintenance.

Assist with inventory management as assigned.

Calculate, administer, and record medications; complete controlled drug logs.

Fill prescriptions.

Perform and assist with euthanasia of shelter animals.

Notify behavior team of animal behavioral needs and/or concerns.

Maintain satisfactory level of care by attending continuing education as required or assigned.

Maintain departmental procedures and protocols regarding humane care and treatment of animals.

Maintain cleanliness of medical and intake areas.

Follow safety guidelines, maintain a healthy and safe environment for animals and people.

Take immediate action to address any safety concern or noncompliance of safety rules that could put an employee, volunteer, client, animal, volunteer, or organization at risk.

Promote special events, programs, fundraising efforts, and donor opportunities when practical.

Always represent HRA in a professional and courteous manner. Provide quality service to the public, volunteers, and employees recognizing their individual contributions to the success of the organization.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements:

Knowledge and skill in restraint and handling techniques, general animal safety practices, including recognizing animal behavior patterns.

Previous Fear Free Certification or Successful completion of Fear Free Shelter certification within 6 months of hire.

Knowledge of or ability to learn animal shelter procedures and protocols.

Proficient technical skills, including but not limited to administering medications, phlebotomy, placing IV catheters, analyzing blood, urine, fecal samples.

Successful completion of HRA Euthanasia Certification program within 6 months of hire.

Ability to routinely work evenings, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.

Work collaboratively and with confidence in a high-stress, fast-paced work environment.

Ability to work effectively, both independently and in a team environment, in an atmosphere of multiple projects, shifting priorities, and deadline pressures. Ability to be flexible, detail-oriented, and able to prioritize.

Excellent interpersonal skills with a customer-service orientation. Ability to communicate in a friendly and professional manner with a variety of individuals representing the public, board members, volunteers, donors, and employees.

Proficient in the use and application of computer technology with proficient use of programs including Microsoft Office programs, the internet, and database management software to efficiently accomplish work.

Passion for the HRA mission, and for caring for all animals regardless of age, breed, temperament, or species, and supporting and educating members of the public, free of judgment or bias.

Ability to manage the emotional aspect of work in an animal shelter environment in a positive professional manner.

Must be comfortable and proficient (or willing to become proficient) in animal-handling situations and have a strong desire to help animals and people, and commitment to life-saving programs and services.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Ability to lift 50 pounds unassisted regularly, 50+ pounds assisted.

Ability to be comfortable working with cats, dogs, small animals, reptiles, fish, and wildlife.

Ability to perform strenuous physical activity daily, including but not limited to lifting and carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, and bending. Regularly moves about the facilities to coordinate work. Typically stands, bends, stoops, and crouches while working special events.

Due to the nature of shelter work, may be exposed to deceased, fractious, or aggressive animals; common allergens; hostile or irate persons; zoonotic or other diseases; unpleasant noises, odors, or sights; and extreme temperatures.

Education and Experience:

One- two years of experience as a veterinary assistant, veterinary technician, or similar position involving medical intake procedure. Certified or licensed Veterinarian Technician preferred.

One-two years of progressively responsible experience in an open admittance animal shelter preferred.

Experience handling a variety of different species including but not limited cats, dogs, small animals, reptiles, fish, and wildlife highly preferred.

Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. A salary premium may be offered for multilingual candidates who demonstrate proficiency in written and oral testing.

HRA is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate because of race, color, creed, gender, religion, national origin, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status, citizenship status, or sexual orientation. Accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals requiring them.