Are you looking for a rewarding leadership position in a diverse, mission-driven organization where your veterinary technician and management skills will make a meaningful impact? PAWS is seeking a Veterinary Technician Manager to lead our talented and passionate team of veterinary technicians and assistants, playing an instrumental role in achieving our ultimate goal of making Philadelphia a no-kill city. As the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable basic veterinary care for community pets, our passionate team works every day to end pet homelessness and to provide top-quality care to dogs and cats with medical and surgical needs who would otherwise not have a chance.

The Veterinary Technician Manager (VTM) is an exciting new position that will play a key role in maximizing the positive impact that PAWS’ shelter and clinics have in the communities we serve. Based at PAWS’ Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic in the Grays Ferry neighborhood of Philadelphia (with occasional visits to PAWS’ Northeast Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic in Northeast Philadelphia), the VTM is responsible for developing a strong, qualified, and cohesive medical support staff by training, leading, and managing veterinary technicians and assistants to provide excellent surgical, clinical, and shelter care. In addition, the VTM is responsible for coordinating the care of animals rescued by PAWS who must be referred to other practices for veterinary care, managing medical supply ordering and inventory protocols, and overseeing the maintenance of medical equipment. The VTM works in collaboration with other departments to ensure optimal treatment and outcomes for all animals who come into PAWS’ care, fosters a sense of teamwork, and embodies PAWS’ values.

Responsibilities: 

• With the overall goals of cultivating high employee satisfaction, engagement, retention, and performance among PAWS’ veterinary technicians and assistants: 
• Lead and mentor PAWS’ team of veterinary technicians, assistants, and Lead Technicians, defining their roles, assessing opportunities for growth, and ensuring they uphold PAWS’ values at all times 
• Create and implement formal onboarding and training and initial/ongoing skill assessment processes 
• Perform regular evaluations and performance reviews and take disciplinary action as needed
• Identify and coordinate continuing education and training needs and opportunities
• Schedule veterinary technicians and assistants to ensure adequate coverage for all operations, including being available to receive communication from staff who are unable to make their shift or running late and filling in if needed to prevent the cancellation of veterinary services
• Work hands-on as a veterinary technician 2 days per week in community clinic appointments, surgery (HQHVSN, shelter medicine soft tissue surgery), and shelter medicine exams
• Work with leadership to shape, create, uphold, and communicate policies, procedures, and protocols for all medical services
• Develop and maintain relationships within the local veterinary community to build partnerships and coordinate care for animals rescued by PAWS who are in need of specialized and emergency medicine outside the scope of what PAWS’ staff can provide
• Ensure proper medical supplies/equipment inventory, maintenance and ordering protocols are in place and followed to protect and maintain appropriate quantities of medical supplies, making spending decisions in the best interest of the organization
• In a typical week, hold the PAWS foster emergency phone for up to two nights, triaging occasional after-hours emergency medical situations for foster animals (referring to ER or coordinating care at a PAWS location the next day)

Required skills and qualities:

• At least two years’ management experience in the veterinary field, including supervising staff and coaching on performance and accountability.
• Commitment to PAWS’ mission to keep families together by providing excellent, accessible veterinary care to pet owners who may not be able to afford it otherwise, and to provide lifesaving opportunities to stray and surrendered animals, with the ultimate goal of a loving home for every savable pet.
• Familiarity with diseases common to cats and dogs and with the preventative, therapeutic, and diagnostic veterinary treatment of cats and dogs. 
• Ability to safely, humanely, and effectively care for and handle animals, especially those who are large, untrained, of unknown disposition, fearful, or reactive. 
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills. 
• Ability to maintain a calm, professional, and respectful demeanor at all times when dealing with the public, even in stressful situations.
• Computer proficient in Microsoft Office and Google products.
• Proficient in, or willingness to become proficient in, the various shelter and clinic management systems utilized by PAWS (Clinic HQ, ShelterLuv, Airtable, Trello, and others). 

Educational Requirements:

• CVT/LVT license required
• Post-secondary education in veterinary science preferred, BA/BS preferred
• Fear-Free Certification preferred

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to walk and/or stand on your feet throughout a normal workday and tolerate loud noises. 
• Ability to lift and move objects and animals weighing up to 50 pounds for short distances and to humanely restrain an animal when necessary. 

Benefits of PAWS employment: 

• Medical, dental, and prescription insurance coverage
• 401(k) plan with employer matching
• 9 paid holidays per year
• Generous paid time off (PTO)
• Yearly Continuing Education allowance
• Free and heavily discounted clinic services, lab work, prescription diets, and medications for your personal pets
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Voluntary benefits (long- and short-term disability, life, and accident insurance)

About the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)

PAWS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless and at-risk pets. PAWS
is the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care for pet owners and rescue organizations that cannot otherwise access it. Each year, PAWS saves and finds loving homes for thousands of animals in need. Through its two low-cost, high-volume spay/neuter and wellness clinics, PAWS serves approximately 28,000 animals each year, enabling families to keep their cherished pets and preventing shelter surrenders. PAWS is working to make Philadelphia a no-kill city where every savable pet is guaranteed a home.

About Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)

PAWS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless and at-risk pets. PAWS is the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable, basic veterinary care for pet owners and rescue organizations that cannot otherwise access it. Each year, PAWS finds loving homes for thousands of animals in need, and enables thousands of families to keep their cherished pets. PAWS is working to make Philadelphia a no-kill city where every savable pet is guaranteed a home.

Connections working at Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)