The Licensed Veterinary Technician supports high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter services by coordinating patient flow, preparing patients for surgery, administering and monitoring anesthesia, assisting veterinarians during procedures, and ensuring safe recovery and discharge. This role requires strong surgical nursing skills, sound clinical judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment while maintaining compassionate, low-stress handling standards. The LVT plays a key role in supporting patient safety, team collaboration, operational efficiency, and access to affordable veterinary care for the community.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
Patient Flow and Surgical Coordination:
- Create, coordinate, and adjust the daily surgical flow from patient check-in through discharge to support efficiency, safety, and clear team communication.
- Review patient medical history, assigned services, and any special handling or medical considerations before procedures begin.
- Communicate patient condition, schedule changes, safety concerns, and urgent needs promptly to the veterinarian and clinic team.
- Support veterinary assistants and other team members in maintaining organized movement of patients through intake, pre-operative preparation, surgery, recovery, and discharge.
- Exercises independent judgment within established protocols and the licensed veterinary technician scope of practice while consulting veterinarians on patient care decisions as required.
Pre-Operative Care and Anesthesia:
- Collaborate with the veterinarian to develop and implement individualized anesthetic and patient care plans as needed within clinic protocols and the LVT scope of practice.
- Collaborate with the veterinarian regarding pre-anesthetic assessments, including review of patient history, physical findings, assigned procedures, and identified risks.
- Calculate, prepare, and administer anesthetics and other medications/treatments as directed by the veterinarian and in accordance with applicable laws and credentialing requirements.
- Provide oversight and guidance for delegated treatments performed by veterinary support staff in accordance with clinic protocols and applicable regulations.
- Prepare patients for surgery, including pre-medication, catheter placement when indicated, induction, intubation, surgical site preparation, positioning, and transfer to the surgical area.
- Maintain accurate controlled substance, medication, and treatment records according to clinic policy and regulatory requirements.
Surgical Support and Anesthesia Monitoring:
- Monitor patients before, during, and after anesthesia using established monitoring standards, equipment, and clinic protocols.
- Track and document vital signs, anesthetic depth, oxygenation, ventilation, temperature, pain response, and other patient parameters as appropriate.
- Recognize changes in patient condition and communicate concerns promptly to the veterinarian to support patient safety throughout the procedure.
- Respond appropriately to anesthetic complications or emergencies under veterinarian direction, including preparation of emergency medications, equipment, and CPR support when needed.
- Assist the veterinarian during spay/neuter procedures as needed while maintaining aseptic technique and supporting smooth surgical flow.
- Ensure surgical instruments, packs, and equipment are prepared, functional, sterile, and available for the scheduled procedures.
Recovery, Treatments, and Discharge:
- Provide attentive post-operative monitoring and supportive care until patients meet clinic recovery criteria and are safe for discharge or transfer.
- Ensure each patient receives assigned treatments, pain management, vaccines, parasite control, and other services as directed by the veterinarian.
- Identify abnormal recovery signs, pain concerns, hypothermia, bleeding, delayed recovery, or other complications and notify the veterinarian promptly.
- Prepare discharge medications, e-collars, paperwork, and post-operative instructions accurately and efficiently.
- Communicate discharge information to clients or partner organizations clearly, compassionately, and in alignment with clinic protocols.
- Support surgical rechecks, post-operative calls, and follow-up care as directed.
Medical Records, Inventory, and Clinic Operations:
- Maintain complete, timely, and accurate medical records, anesthesia records, treatment notes, drug logs, and surgical documentation.
- Restock and organize medical supplies, controlled substances, medications, surgical packs, anesthesia equipment, and recovery supplies to support daily readiness.
- Clean, disinfect, sterilize, and maintain surgical instruments, kennels, work areas, and equipment according to clinic sanitation and safety protocols.
- Monitor equipment function, identify maintenance needs, and report concerns promptly to the appropriate team member or supervisor.
- Follow clinic standard operating procedures, OSHA and workplace safety practices, controlled substance policies, and infectious disease prevention protocols.
- Provides technical guidance and day-to-day support for veterinary assistants, students, and volunteers while fostering a collaborative team environment.
Professional Standards and Team Communication:
- Use compassionate, low-stress handling techniques and appropriate safety equipment for all animals, including fearful, fractious, feral, pediatric, geriatric, or medically compromised patients.
- Support a positive, respectful, and inclusive team culture that values collaboration, learning, accountability, and diverse perspectives.
- Communicate respectfully and clearly with veterinarians, leadership, coworkers, clients, rescue partners, and community members.
- Demonstrate sound judgment, attention to detail, adaptability, and the ability to multitask while prioritizing patient welfare.
- Perform additional duties as assigned to support the mission, medical standards, and daily operations of the spay/neuter clinic.
- Demonstrate cultural humility and respect when interacting with coworkers, clients, volunteers, and community partners with different backgrounds, experiences, identities, and perspectives.
Required Skills/Qualifications:
- Current Washington State Veterinary Technician license.
- Minimum two years of veterinary clinical experience.
- Experience with anesthesia monitoring and surgical nursing.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
- Commitment to animal welfare and humane care practices.
- Strong organizational and recordkeeping abilities.
- Proficiency in anesthetic monitoring equipment.
- Ability to calculate anesthetic and medication dosages accurately.
- Knowledge of aseptic surgical technique.
- Working knowledge of controlled substance regulations.
- Working in a fast-paced clinical environment with or without reasonable accommodation
- safely handling animals of varying sizes and temperaments,
- Constantly standing
- Frequently twist, bend/stoop, reach, wrist( flexion – extension)
- Occasional sitting, squat/kneeling
- Seldomly work from a ladder, climb ladder, climb stairs, crawl, work above shoulders, keyboard
- Frequently lift, carry, push/pull 10lb – 60lb (lifting or moving animals and equipment)
- standing, walking, bending, and kneeling for extended periods,
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in high-volume spay/neuter medicine.
- Shelter medicine experience.
- Experience training or mentoring support staff.
Employee Benefits:
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (100% employer paid premium for employee coverage)
- 401(k) + Company match up to 2% - Fully vested on day 1
- Discretionary Time Off
- Paid Holidays (9 per year)
- Supplemental Insurance Benefits available
- At cost veterinary care, medications and pet food, when available
- Pawternity leave and animal family member bereavement
- Opportunities for Advancement
Employment Details
- Full-time, Exempt (36 hours per week)
- Salary range $ 49,920 - $83,200, starting range $62,400 - $72,800
- Located at our Thurston County, WA clinic location
- Typical Schedule:
M-Th 8-5
Pasado’s Safe Haven provides equal employment opportunity. At Pasado’s Safe Haven, we believe compassionate action is fundamental to dismantling systems of oppression for all living beings. We courageously live this belief every day through our work to end animal cruelty and our commitment to respect and kindness. We can only be successful by embracing the diversity and power of each individual's lived experience as we all work together toward an expanded circle of compassion.
