Veterinary Assistant (Hourly)

Job Title

Position will assist the Veterinarian and the Registered Veterinary Technician as needed, both in surgery and with shelter medicine responsibilities.

Job Description and Essential Functions

The position will assist the Veterinarian and the Registered Veterinary Technician as needed, both in surgery and with shelter medicine responsibilities. The incumbent will ensure that the veterinary office and other medical areas, as well as equipment are cleaned and properly disinfected and in good working order; monitor the health of animals in the shelter, provide care and treatment to sick and injured animals and prepare animals for veterinary care and spay/neuter surgery. Note: This recruitment is for a part-time, non-benefited position limited to 919 hours of employment in a fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) with an average of less than 30 service hours per work week. Hours may vary between 0 - 16 hours per week, dependent upon the daily staffing needs of the department. Unclassified hourly employees are paid on an hourly basis and shall not be eligible for benefits nor be subject to Civil Service Rules. Although hourly employees are at-will, they are still subject to all City policies and procedures.

Essential Functions: Functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: properly clean and disinfect the veterinary office and the isolation room including cages, floors, dishes, bedding and other items; monitor the health of the animals on an ongoing basis and rapidly identify any health problems or conditions and immediately report it to the Veterinarian or the Registered Veterinary Technician; medicate animals as directed; monitor pre and post surgery animals for any complications during recovery; perform in-hospital lab tests such as FELV/FIV, Heartworm and Parvo tests; provide treatment and care for animals including vaccinations, bandaging, nail clipping, ear cleaning, and other minor medical procedures as directed by the Veterinarian and/or Registered Veterinary Technician; assist in evaluation of animals on the euthanasia list; euthanize animals by injection in accordance with established policies and procedures; dispose of diseased and unclaimed animals; maintain treatment records and test results on medical history reports and other logs; maintain inventory of medications and treatment supplies; clean medical equipment and dishes, wash windows, clean floors and mop as needed; provide a healthy, safe, clean and pleasant environment for the animals housed in medical areas; answer citizen inquiries and provide shelter information to the public; assist with adoptions; work cooperatively with other staff members; perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and/or experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: one (1) year of related experience in a veterinary hospital, veterinary clinic or an animal care facility AND training equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in animal care.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Knowledge of: Animal breeds, characteristics and diseases; animal behavior; preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic veterinary treatment of domestic animals; clinic or shelter maintenance techniques and accepted sanitary practices; symptoms of diseases common to dogs and cats; animal care, feeding and handling methods and techniques; applicable laws, codes, ordinances and regulations; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; computer equipment and software applications related to assignment. Ability to: Identify problems or patient conditions (medical and behavioral) that need to be brought to the attention of the Veterinarian or Registered Veterinary Technician; work with minimum supervision or direction; properly handle and care for animals; clean and disinfect shelter enclosures, cages and other related operational equipment or areas; distinguish between healthy and ill animals; keep simple records; work a flexible schedule that includes rotating weekends is required; work special events as directed; operate computer equipment and software applications related to assignment; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner. Physical Demands and Working Conditions: On a continuous basis walk, stand, bend, crouch or stoop, sit for varying periods of time; use hands and fingers to grasp and use various types of animal restraint and capture equipment and tools; must be able to perform euthanasia on animals; make repetitive hand and body motions; twist and reach below and above shoulder. Communicate over a radio, or telephone; hear communications via radio, telephone or in person; respond to inquiries; use a computer keyboard. Must be able to lift with assistance and carry injured or dead animal weighing up to 125 lbs; see in the normal vision range with or without correction; hear in the normal range with or without correction. Work is performed in both indoors and outdoors with exposure varying weather conditions when in the kennel areas. Frequent exposure to loud animal noises, odors, pet dander, diseases and dangerous animals. Daily contact with a variety of domestic and wild animals that can result in exposure to potentially hazardous or volatile situations; may be exposed to cleaning chemicals used daily to disinfect kennel areas along with exposure to animal body fluids in caring for animal needs. Work around hazardous chemicals and drugs used for shelter cleaning and medical purposes; work rotating shifts, holidays, and weekends.

Additional Information

Recruitment No. 26532307H This recruitment is open until a sufficient number of applications are received and may close at any time without prior notice. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible. Candidates whose applications indicates education and experience most directly related to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. All notices will be sent via e-mail. Unless otherwise noted, a passing score must be achieved at each step of the selection process in order to have your name placed on the eligibility list for hiring consideration.

Part-time/temporary employees participate in the Public Agency Retirement System (PARS). This is in lieu of PERS or Social Security (although employees do contribute to Medicare). The City and the Employee each contribute 3.75% of the employee's salary to the PARS. Part-time/temporary employees shall accrue sick leave pursuant to the Health Workplace, Health Family Act of 2014 (AB 1522).