Veterinary Assistant, Emergency & Critical Care, SACS College of Veterinary Medicine UTIA

The College of Veterinary Medicine invites applicants to apply for the position of Veterinary Assistant located within the Emergency & Critical Care service of the Small Animal Clinical Sciences department. The day-to-day responsibilities of a veterinary assistant are varied and essential to the overall well-being of animals under their care.

The primary purpose of this position is to provide quality care for patients and/or research animals by performing a variety of functions including but not limited to feeding bathing exercising record keeping restraint and/or equipment operation. Provides cleaning and disinfection stocks supply and collects and disperses laundry.

• Performs animal restraint on various small animal species for physical exams and medical procedures such as blood draws urine collection blood pressures and injections.
• Prepares cages and runs with bedding water and other supplies.
• Feeds diets as prescribed to admitted patients.
• Creates and/or provides enrichment devices and activities.
• Exercises patients using special care. Records daily observations on cage cards.
• Assists in the admittance and discharge of patients.
• Performs bathing or grooming as needed.
• Cleans and disinfects animal quarters treatment rooms and other areas as needed.
• Unpacks and unloads supplies and places items in appropriate areas.
• Provides laundry collection and dispersement.

Depending on experience and qualifications of successful candidate individual will be hired in as a Veterinary Assistant 1 Veterinary Assistant 2 Senior Veterinary Assistant 1 or Senior Veterinary Assistant 2:

Veterinary Assistant 1:

• Minimum Education:
  • High school diploma or equivalent
• Additional Requirements:
  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Must have a valid drivers license
• Preferred Experience:
  • Experience working with small animals including but not limited to dogs cats birds and rodents preferred.
• Knowledge Skills & Abilities:
  • Basic knowledge of small animal care behavior monitoring and handling.
  • Basic knowledge of and ability to use common hospital equipment.
  • Knowledge of general sanitation and disinfection protocols.
  • Good Computer skills.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • Strong observation skills.
  • Ability to lift and restrain small animals.
  • Ability to multi-task.
  • Ability to follow directions and work with a diverse population.
  • Ability to adhere to safety and training procedures.
  • Ability to work under stressful or demanding conditions.

Veterinary Assistant 2:

• Minimum Education:
  • High school diploma or equivalent
• Additional Requirements:
  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Must have a valid drivers license
  • 6 months of relevant experience working with small animals including but not limited to dogs cats birds and rodents
• Knowledge Skills & Abilities:
  • Intermediate knowledge of small animal care behavior monitoring and handling.
  • Intermediate knowledge of and ability to use common hospital equipment.
  • Knowledge of general sanitation and disinfection protocols.
  • Good Computer skills.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • Strong observation skills.
  • Ability to lift and restrain small animals.
  • Ability to multi-task. Ability to follow directions and work with a diverse population.
  • Ability to adhere to safety and training procedures.
  • Ability to work under stressful or demanding conditions.
  • Ability to assist with treatment and sample collection.

Senior Veterinary Assistant 1:

• Minimum Education:
  • High school diploma or equivalent
• Additional Requirements:
  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Must have a valid drivers license
  • 2 years of relevant experience working with small animals including but not limited to dogs cats birds and rodents
• Knowledge Skills & Abilities:
  • Intermediate knowledge of small animal care behavior monitoring and handling.
  • Intermediate knowledge of and ability to use common hospital equipment.
  • Knowledge of general sanitation and disinfection protocols.
  • Good Computer skills.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • Strong observation skills.
  • Ability to lift and restrain small animals.
  • Ability to multi-task.
  • Ability to follow directions and work with a diverse population.
  • Ability to adhere to safety and training procedures.
  • Ability to work under stressful or demanding conditions.
  • Ability to assist with treatment and sample collection.

Senior Veterinary Assistant 2:

• Minimum Education:
  • High school diploma or equivalent
• Additional Requirements:
  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Must have a valid drivers license
  • 4 years of relevant experience working with small animals including but not limited to dogs cats birds and rodents
• Knowledge Skills & Abilities:
  • Expert knowledge of small animal care behavior monitoring and handling.
  • Expert knowledge of and ability to use common hospital equipment.
  • Advanced knowledge of general sanitation and disinfection protocols.
  • Good Computer skills.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • Strong observation skills.
  • Ability to lift and restrain small animals.
  • Ability to multi-task.
  • Ability to follow directions and work with a diverse population.
  • Ability to adhere to safety and training procedures.
  • Ability to work under stressful or demanding conditions.
  • Ability to assist with treatment and sample collection.
  • Knowledge of Bio Security procedures and hospital/isolation protocols.
  • Ability to monitor animal conditions and behaviors.
  • Ability to train and supervise others.
  • Knowledge of USDA AAALAC and AVMA regulatory guidelines.
  • Ability to identify safety risks when handling small animals.
  • Ability to make sound decisions.
  • Ability to supervise staff.
  • Delegation and problem-solving skills.

The Veterinary Medical Center is operational 24 hours a day 7 days per week and 365 days per year. Occasional weekend evening or holiday work will be required of this position.

Work Location:

• Knoxville Tennessee
• On-Site

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market ranges: MR04-MR05
• Anticipated hiring range: $32136.00 - $37213.49
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structurehere
• Find more information on UT Benefitshere

Application Instructions:

To express interest please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

About The College:

The UT College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM) located in Knoxville was established by anact of the Tennessee Legislature in 1974 and is part of theUniversity of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.

UTCVMis one of 33 veterinary colleges in the United States and provides opportunities for Tennessee students while serving pet owners and the livestock industry as well as protecting public health enhancing medical knowledge and generating economic benefits to the state and nation.