Veterinary Assistant

Job Title: Veterinary Assistant

Reports to: Hospital Manager

Objective: The veterinary assistant is primarily a cat medical care position. This position provides medical treatment to cats maintains the equipment and cleanliness of the hospital and works with other hospital team members and volunteers to assist with cat surgeries exams and medication preparation.

Position Type and Hours: part-time 16-24 hours per week.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Medical Treatment (35% of time)

• Provide basic and preventative medical care to cats by administering vaccines medications and fluids according to established protocol and/or veterinarian guidance; performing other minor procedures like nail trims microchip insertions sanitary shaves etc. according to established hospital protocol and veterinarian guidance.
• Perform physical exams of cats by following established protocol and veterinarian guidance.
• Prepare lab work for testing by drawing blood and/or collecting the necessary specimen samples needed and following the established protocol or veterinarian guidance for preparation and/or submittal.
• Update cat medical records when appropriate by inputting medications exam findings and preventative care treatments into Shelter Buddy.
• Serve as a hospital representative to clients by providing detailed treatment instructions and answering questions as needed; greeting and assisting clients with the cat ownership surrender process; communicating the decision to deny admissions when necessary; ensuring the proper paperwork is completed for admissions and/or medical examination.

Surgery and Hospital Operation Assistance (35% of time)

• Assist with spay/neuter dental and special surgeries by physically handling and performing treatments on cats preparing workspaces and record keeping; working with the veterinarian during exams to provide safe restraint.
• Perform radiographs (if certified)
• Monitor cats as they recover from sedation by observing taking and recording their vitals on their paper and electronic medical records.
• Train new staff and volunteers by demonstrating and delegating tasks related to cat care sanitation basic medical care and overall hospital function; providing corrective feedback in a positive manner when necessary.
• Remain informed regarding changes to policy and protocol by regularly attending shelter meetings and weekly check-in meetings.
• Communicate treatment plans schedules protocols and other specific issues related to cats and/or clients by using a multi-line phone system Shelter Buddy Microsoft Office the Google suite and/or other shelter software systems.
• Assist with administrative tasks as needed to support the hospital manager and medical director.

Hospital Sanitation and Supply Replenishment (30% of time)

• Clean cat housing by scrubbing wiping down and sanitizing all surfaces according to shelter sanitation protocol.
• Set up clean kennels by placing bedding dishes and enrichment items inside them according to established housing guidelines.
• Ensure personal and cat safety by following all protocols related to the safe handling mixing and dilution of cleaning chemicals; wearing the proper personal protective equipment for the job or housing area; properly disposing of contaminated items; and following the prescribed cleaning order to minimize disease transmission.
• Maintain a clean stock of cat supplies and laundry by cleaning sanitizing and drying reusable items according to shelter sanitation protocols; returning clean items to designated storage areas; notifying the appropriate staff members when disposable items run low.
• Maintain facility cleanliness by cleaning sanitizing sweeping mopping and/or tidying hospital areas according to shelter sanitation protocol.
• Maintain fully stocked hospital supply areas by retrieving supplies from the warehouse and/or unpacking and putting away supply shipments; following established protocols to reorder supplies when stocks are low.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Knowledge

• Veterinary medicine knowledge
• Animal sheltering
• Computer programs including Microsoft Office Google Suite and Shelter Buddy

Skills

• Perform basic veterinary procedures
• Prioritize tasks to meet deadlines
• Remain organized
• Complete tasks with little direction or supervision
• Handle animals safely
• Follow protocols and procedures
• Operate standard office equipment including computers and telephone systems

Abilities

• Work cooperatively within a team environment
• Provide corrective feedback in a positive manner
• Facilitate difficult conversations with members of the public

Qualifications and Experience:

Necessary

• High school diploma or equivalent
• >1 year of professional experience

Preferred

• 1 year of applicable professional experience
• Previous experience working in an animal shelter or veterinary clinic

Mental Effort: This position consists of duties that are routine and repeated tasks based on established protocol. The job holder may need to prioritize or delegate tasks to complete the positions essential functions.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

Physical Requirements

The physical demands and hard work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Move and/or transport items up to 50 pounds (assisted or unassisted)

• Position oneself at various levels to successfully carry out the essential functions of the job
• Provide direct animal care including feeding watering cleaning litter boxes and other animal handling
• Provide direct medical care to animals including administering vaccinations medications subcutaneous fluids and performing other treatments as needed
• Clean animal housing and facility
• Disinfect and sanitize using agents such as bleach and Rescue
• Communicate effectively with other staff and volunteers by email phone or in person
• Navigate the shelter and building
• Read and keep accurate records/files
• Work on a computer and use various software programs
• Operate office equipment such as a copy and fax machine printer scanner and multi-line telephone
• Operate equipment found in a veterinary hospital

Work Environment

Work in this position is performed at an animal shelter hospital. The work environment will have hazards or obstacles and there is a higher risk of personal injury while performing assigned tasks if safety protocols are not followed. Job conditions are uncomfortable relative to noise temperature smell cleanliness or exposure to contagious disease. The worker may encounter the following:

• Distressed animals that put the worker at risk for injuries such as bites and scratches
• Animal urine animal feces animal vomit animal blood animal fur
• Medications used to treat animals
• Needles used to vaccinate or provide other treatments to animals
• Zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted from cats to humans
• Disinfecting agents such as bleach and Rescue

Pay Range: Position starts at $19.50/hour

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise other than an at-will relationship.