Veterinary Assistant

Veterinary AssistantPlays a direct role in achieving Manatee County's no-kill mission and goal by providing hands-on care for animals in the shelter, working with internal departments to find those animals homes wherever possible, and serving as ambassadors for county residents, volunteers, and adopters who visit the shelter. Contributes to the health, wellbeing, and general care of dogs and cats. Plays a unique role as the direct day-to-day connector between the animals in our care and our residents.Primarily animal shelter or outdoor field environment. Regularly performs moderately strenuous work in varying and adverse weather conditions, including rain, extreme heat and humidity, and long exposure to sunlight. Daily exposure to dogs, cats, and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status. High noise environment while performing certain responsibilities. Lifting and carrying equipment up to 50 pounds alone and up to 100 pounds with assistance. Periodically required to drive county vehicles as part of the duties of the job. Able to climb and descend equipment and ladders. Able to bend, stoop, crawl, and reach. Position requires visual acuity and depth perception, as well as ability to hear and identify sounds. Periodic high stress situations that may involve angry or frustrated citizens. Regularly required to work other than normal business hours including nights, holidays, and weekends.The Veterinary Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting the veterinary care provided to animals within the shelter environment. Working closely with veterinarians, veterinary technicians and shelter staff, the Veterinary Assistant ensures the well-being and health of animals under the shelter's care. The role involves conducting daily health checks on incoming animals and closely monitoring their health and behavior while in the shelter. It includes identifying and reporting signs of illness or distress to the veterinary team and assisting veterinarians and veterinary technicians during medical procedures, surgeries and examinations. Responsibilities also include preparing surgical suite, handling and restraining animals safely, administering medications, and maintaining accurate health records. The position requires administering vaccinations, tracking vaccination schedules, providing post-surgery care, and other duties related to the medical department. Ensuring cleanliness and sanitation of animal areas and collaborating with shelter staff to enhance the animals' well-being and adoptability are also essential duties.Assists with all aspects of the adoption process. Provide excellent customer service to visitors, volunteers, and adopters.Positively interacts with volunteers and promotes a team environment.Greets visitors to the shelter, answers questions, and assists visitors with their needs.Delivers excellent, non-judgmental customer service to all visitors, adopters, fosters, and transfer partners in a friendly, informative and professional manner.Provides basic and routine care for animals per department guidelines, including feeding, watering, and light grooming.Supports animals with medical issues, which may include zoonotic disease, by medicating, treating, preparing special diets, observing and reporting, and assisting in the maintenance of required records.Provides socialization, enrichment, and exercise for animals as directed. These activities include but are not limited to dog walking, training and playgroup.Identifies behavioral issues and shares observations with team members and leaders. Follows behavior or training plans developed for specific animals.Assist Foster Coordinator with foster appointments, supplies, return surveys and inputting information to the database.Cleans work areas and preserves physical appearance of buildings and grounds, including scooping, raking, sweeping, mopping, and trash removal. Notes maintenance or repairs needed and reports per protocol.Follows policies, procedures, and task lists for daily lifesaving outcome assignments, including accurate and timely communications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping.Strictly adheres to established safety procedures to protect self, co-workers, and the general public.Attends job-specific training classes as assigned by supervisor; this includes but is not limited to Defensive Dog Handling and Dogs Playing for Life.Support Front Desk function processing adoptions, licenses, money handling and provide good customer service.Respond to customer service in box and provide information about services provided by the facility.Take lost & found reports and follow-up when a match has been found.Performs other related duties as assigned, including participation in emergency or disaster response activities, as required and consistent with the employee's qualifications, essential job functions, and applicable federal and Florida law. including work in the Emergency Operations Center and pet friendly shelters.Minimum QualificationsHigh school diploma or equivalent.Six (6) months' work of veterinary experience with an animal shelter or similar organization required for Intake Coordinator and Vet Assistant positions.MorePrevious customer service experience desired.Strong desire to work with animals.Able to comprehend and follow oral and written instructions and complete tasks within assigned timeframes. Able to resolve routine situations and problems.Basic knowledge and understanding of open adoption processes.Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns including shyness, fearfulness, and aggression; basic ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs.Basic knowledge and understanding of regulatory compliance necessary to successfully perform job duties.Basic knowledge and understanding of computer applications and software programs required to perform job duties.Good written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills to be able to interact professionally and effectively with co-workers, management, adopters, volunteers, and other stakeholders.Able to engage professionally during challenging conversations and accurately educate the public.Capable of working under close supervision.BenefitsFull Time Positions Employee Assistance Program (EAP):ComPsych – offers all employees and their family members with emotional, financial, legal, and work/life balance support.LAMP counselors available for personal support including emotional, substance abuse, marital, and financial issues.Five (5) free visits annually for employees and covered family members.Wellbeing Benefits:Wellness/Health Coaches (5 Free per year)Personal Training (5 Free per year)Pharmacy TechnicianMusculoskeletal Physical Therapy ManagementRegistered Dietician (5 Free per year)Massages with licensed therapist (small copay)Miscellaneous Benefits:Workers' CompensationTraining/SeminarsPremium Pay Differentials/Career LaddersGovernment employee discounts at many retailers and attractionsAccess to Manatee County Library Services (books, digital services, tools, museum passes).Paid Time Off:12 Paid Holidays including New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.Three (3) Personal HolidaysPersonal Sick LeaveFamily Sick LeaveSick Leave Bank (Donated Hours)Professional Medical Appointment LeaveBereavement LeaveMilitary LeaveMilitary Training LeaveFMLAVacation Award: Applies to employees regularly scheduled to work 8 hours per day/40 hours per week. Years of Service Vacation Days 0-5 16.25 days 6-10 19.50 days 11+ 22.75 days Eligible employees may earn an additional 2 days of vacation through participation in the Manatee Thrives programInsurance:Award-winning Health Plan with deductibles as low as $0.Dental InsuranceVision InsurancePrescription InsuranceLife Insurance (6 times salary at low cost)Long-term and Short-term Disability InsuranceRetirement:Florida Retirement System (FRS) with Pension Plan and Investment Plan options.457b Tax Deferred and ROTH account options through Voya.FRS WebinarsFree financial guidance with licensed, non-commissioned financial plannerCareer Wellness:Professional Leadership ProgramsInstructor-Led and eLearning TrainingPremium Pay Differentials/Career Ladders