Veterinary Technician
Location: Forest Park, IL
Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday (10am-6pm)
Reports to: Executive Director
Salary: $44,000 Annually
Position Summary
The Veterinary Technician is responsible for overseeing the daily medical care of approximately 150+ cats and kittens in shelter and foster care. This role manages intake examinations, preventative care, diagnostics, treatment plans, medical recordkeeping, and ongoing case management, including the care of cats with infectious diseases and special medical needs. The Veterinary Technician works closely with shelter leadership, veterinary partners, and foster caregivers to ensure high standards of feline health, welfare, and biosecurity while supporting lifesaving outcomes for cats and kittens in the organization's care.
Key Responsibilities
• Manage intake, medical care, and case management for 150+ shelter and foster cats, including infectious disease cases (ringworm, panleukopenia, etc.).
• Perform intake exams, vaccinations, FeLV/FIV testing, parasite prevention, deworming, microchipping, and treatment initiation for new arrivals.
• Maintain accurate medical records in ShelterLuv, including intake data, treatments, diagnostics, vaccinations, medications, and off-site veterinary care.
• Monitor feline health status, perform routine rechecks, obtain weights, and escalate medical concerns when indicated.
• Administer medications, treatments, vaccines, dewormers, IV fluids, and other prescribed therapies.
• Place IV catheters, calculate medication dosages, provide critical care support, tube feed neonatal kittens, and perform urinary expression as needed.
• Implement and maintain isolation, quarantine, ringworm, and panleukopenia protocols while adhering to strict PPE, biosecurity, and infection control standards.
Certified Veterinary Technician credentials preferred
Prior experience in rescue/shelter medicine
Qualifications
Schedule and coordinate routine veterinary care, booster vaccinations, diagnostics, rechecks, and spay/neuter surgeries.
Create and maintain medical cage cards, monitoring systems, and color-coded care designations (Green/Yellow/Red).
Provide medical guidance and support to foster caregivers, including appointment coordination, triage, and treatment follow-up.
Interpret routine diagnostic results and make treatment recommendations in collaboration with shelter leadership and veterinary partners.
Transport cats to and from spay/neuter and veterinary appointments; valid driver's license required.
Ability to thrive in a fast paced environment
Experience with ShelterLuv
Ability to lift 40lbs, climb stairs and stand for several consecutive hours
Team oriented approach to treatment
Comfortable handling cats with various temperaments
Preferred Experience