Available Positions

Animal Husbandry/Veterinary Technician

Clinic Veterinary Receptionist

Staff Veterinarian

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Animal Husbandry/Veterinary Technician

Job Posting: Animal Husbandry/Veterinary Technician

Status: Part Time

Available: Until Filled

Broad Function: Animal Husbandry:

Answerable to the Asst. Director of Operations. Employees in this category shall be responsible for the daily and routine maintenance of any and all animal containment areas and other areas of the shelter as prescribed by the Director of Operations including indoor/outdoor areas. Such areas include, but are not limited to, dog adoption, cat room, exotics, dog holding, cat holding, prep areas, etc. May be required to participate in on-site and off-site adoption, education, or other events.

Any and all other duties as assigned by management.

Specific Duties:

• Maintaining proper feeding and watering schedules.
• Perform all aspects of animal husbandry including but not limited to proper cage cleaning and sanitation.
• Restocking of supplies.
• Evaluating the animal's medical and behavioral needs and reporting anything out of the ordinary to the appropriate parties.
• Laundry.
• Sanitation of supplemental supplies: bowls, litter pans, water bottles, etc.

Broad Function: Veterinary Technician:

Answerable to the Director of Operations. Depending upon the job assignment for the day, employees in this category may be responsible for one of the following areas:

• Clinic Technician - Assisting the Veterinarian with daily clients.
• Surgery Technician - Assisting the Veterinarian with daily surgeries.
• Kennel Technician - Processing all incoming animals and treating in-house animals.

May be required to participate in on-site and off-site adoption, education, or other events. Any and all other duties as assigned by management.

Positions available at both the North Shore and Elizabeth Locations.

Specific Duties:

• Responsible for physical exams, evaluation and treatment of routine medical conditions, vaccinations, feline leukemia virus testing of cat and kittens.
• Responsible for the cleaning and sanitation of Kennel Technician areas including isolation rooms, grooming and technician area.
• Insure that all euthanasia is done humanely and according to established Society policies for same.
• Provide pre and post-operative care. Includes but is not limited to providing a clean cage, provide food and water, monitor post anesthesia recovery, insuring written documents are intact and instructing owners and/or staff on any follow-up care or medication needs.
• Bathe and groom incoming animals.
• Responsible for answering basic questions about veterinary care to the general public and our clients over the phone.

Qualifications:

Ability and willingness to work variable hours/shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays; willingness to take instruction. This position requires at minimum high school diploma and (2) years experience in a veterinary hospital/clinic, completion of a recognized veterinary technician/assist program, prior shelter veterinary technician experience or a combination of the latter (3). Valid PA drivers' license

Salary based upon experience.

Submit Resume and Cover Letter with salary requirements to:

Donna Bucek, Director of Operations
Western PA Humane Society
1101 Western Avenue
Pittsburgh PA 15233
donna.bucek@wpahumane.org
Fax: 412-321-4664

No phone calls please.

Fallen Timber Shelter also hiring a Veterinary Technician

Similar opening on a smaller scale at our Fallen Timber Shelter in Elizabeth Township. Please submit cover letter and resume to:

Christa Diebel, Manager
1680 Fallen Timber Road
Elizabeth PA 15037
Fax: 412-751-3517
christa@wpahumane.org

no phone calls please

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Clinic Veterinary Receptionist

Job Posting: Clinic Veterinary Receptionist

Open: Immediate position open until filled

The purpose of this position is to serve as receptionist at the Western PA Humane Society clinic, to perform record keeping duties, to perform clerical duties related to animal patient care and treatment, and to provide miscellaneous support to the veterinarians and patient care team. This position requires a practical knowledge of hospital organization and services, the basic rules and regulations governing visitors and animal patient treatment, data entry, word processing, mail service, and a practical knowledge of the standard procedures, veterinary records and terminology used in the clinic.

Major Duties (General Overview):

• Phone Reception- answering client inquiries, scheduling appointments, recording messages for doctors and staff
• Greeting Clients- checking patients in, discharging patients, dispensing medications & prescriptions, invoicing
• Inputting data into electronic medical record system
• Receiving Client Payments- posting & recording payments, receiving payment, running end of day transaction register
• Check clinic email, fax, & phone messaging- prescription refill requests, appointment requests, client inquiries
• Client Communication- patient updates, appointment reminders, update inquiries
• General Office duties- mail, cleaning / organizing reception area

Skills and Knowledge:

Knowledge of hospital procedures and operating instructions for making appointments, assembling patient medical records, recording test results and relaying information regarding patient's condition.

Knowledge of the spelling and meaning of commonly used terminology of veterinary medicine to accurately record results of tests and file veterinary medical reports according to alpha, numeric or subject matter headings.

Personal contacts are with animal owners affected by a variety of problems, visitors and other staff members. Considerable tact and diplomacy is required. Must accurately relay owner's account on the medical complaint(s) of the animal(s) involved to the healthcare team members who will be involved in treating the patient(s).

Details of the job:

• Open the clinic and set up for the morning as directed.
• Close the clinic for the evening as directed.
• Clean and straighten the clinic areas of the practice including the front desk, reception area, and waiting area
• Welcome clients and patients to the clinic with a warm and friendly demeanor and provide for their comfort while they are in the clinic. This includes greeting\clients, showing them to waiting area, etc.
• Answer incoming telephone calls utilizing proper telephone etiquette. Screen those calls that are handled by other Humane Society team members and take care of routine calls. Routine calls include those seeking information about veterinary services. Attempt to send a hospital brochure to any telephone shopper calling the hospital. Provide knowledgeable sub-professional advice concerning the care and treatment of animals including questions regarding hospital services, fees, animal care and treatment in accordance with hospital policies. Appropriately direct other questions and communication to a veterinarian, practice manager, or other healthcare team members.
• Prepare to receive appointments, preparing needed forms in advance of clients' arrival. Complete required forms such as new client form, patient visit form, client report, consent forms, medical care plans (estimates), payment agreements, etc. and obtain all necessary information.
• Handle emergency situations by following established clinic policies and procedures in referring clients for immediate treatment of their animals when requests are accompanied by complaints of acute symptoms. Determine nature of injury/illness and attempt to reassure distressed pet owners.
• Follow clinic policies regarding patient admittance. Determine whether immunizations/tests are current. Recommend update of necessary immunizations/ tests to clients when applicable.
• Notify doctors or technicians of patient arrival. Relay all necessary information to the doctors and technicians.
• Discharge patients which includes entering all charges into the computer, reviewing the discharge instructions and medications. Present clients with medications, instructions, new client kits and any other take home items.
• Schedule appointments for the clinic after obtaining all necessary data concerning the animal and owner. Prepare all required forms such as animal clinical records, health certificates, rabies certificates/ tags, etc.
• Review the services that were rendered to the pet (verbally itemize the client receipt) and inform client of the total amount due. Assure that owners meet all financial obligations or that acceptable arrangements have been made according to the hospital's payment policy.
• Accept payments from the client. Accurately process cash, checks, charge card payments and credit account payments.
• Dispense medications including providing routine instructions to owners concerning prescribed medications.
• Perform over the counter selling of pet foods and supplies. Exercise a technical knowledge of products sold.
• Enter data into the computer system as required. Retrieve and modify stored records. Assist in the updating of client/patient files as needed including name, address, telephone numbers and vaccination and heartworm history
• Perform an end-of-day procedure each evening. This would include reconciling invoices and balancing the cash drawer, running end-of day computer reports, preparing the bank deposit and presenting the reports and deposit information to the practice manger or owner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Other Job Considerations:

Physical Effort

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to bend, stand, stoop, walk, sit, talk, and listen; will use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel; will reach with hands and arms. The employee must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Pay scale for this job is dependent on experience and qualifications.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to hazards associated with aggressive animals; hazards associated with infected animals and controlled substances; exposure to unpleasant odors and noises; exposure to bites, scratches and animal wastes; possible exposure to contagious diseases.

The Clinic Veterinary Receptionist could be scheduled to work anywhere from 7:00 am - 8:00 pm Monday through Friday and 7:00 am - 5:30 pm Saturday through Sunday.

Team members will be scheduled for 36-40 hours / week with an opportunity occasionally to earn overtime pay for hours worked over 40 per week.

Full time employees will be eligible for full benefits which include health, dental, vision, sick, vacation, 401K, cafeteria plan.

All inquiries should e-mail a cover letter including salary requirements, resume, and references to Karen.dioguardi@wpahumane.org or send information to 1101 Western Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15233. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE EOE

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Staff Veterinarian

Job Posting: Staff Veterinarian

The Western Pennsylvania Humane Society, with shelters located on the north shore in Pittsburgh and also in Elizabeth Township, is looking for an energetic and motivated veterinarian to become a part of our team. Full time position preferred but part-time positions also available. The position is a blend of shelter and small animal practice that provides a unique mix of veterinary challenges. The candidate will provide spay/neuter surgeries to both owned and shelter animals, wellness exams and treatment to owned animals through our affordable wellness clinic, and care to the animals housed in our shelter.

We offer competitive salary and benefits. Salary is negotiable based upon experience. New graduates with shelter experience are encouraged to apply.

Email resume and questions to Dr. Todd Blauvelt at todd.blauvelt@wpahumane.org