Veterinary Assistant

Reports To: Director, Veterinary Services

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Non-Union, Full Time

Salary: $25.00 per hour

Summary: To provide medical care as well as humane care and treatment to all sheltered animals in accordance with the policies and procedures established by PHS/SPCA. To ensure proper admitting, preparation, monitoring, recovery and discharge of animals in the spay/neuter clinic. Perform job duties within established protocols and procedures set by PHS/SPCA.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Conduct assigned morning and evening rounds of all areas of the shelter to ensure the well being of all animals.
• Prepare daily list of animals requiring vet exams.
• Administer daily medical treatment to all sheltered animals as prescribed by staff veterinarians.
• Assist veterinarian in examination and treatment of animals.
• Assist veterinarian with emergency medical treatment as necessary.
• Perform health checks of animals before they are placed for adoption.
• Participate in the Screening Room/Receiving area activities including; scanning, banding, vaccinating and examining animals when necessary.
• Assist in lab work and radiology requirements of shelter animals.
• Assist with the training and supervision of vet department volunteers.
• Must become familiar with proper processing of animals through the shelter, and the corresponding.
• Provide humane care and treatment of all sheltered animals.
• Certified in euthanasia within probationary period.
• Euthanize and/or assist with euthanasia of animals as needed in accordance with PHS/SPCA policies and procedures.
• Receive animals into the shelter and obtain thorough and complete information regarding the animal’s history.
• Responsible for educating the public at the time of animal intake.
• Maintain a clean and sanitary work area in all work spaces.
• Must have a flexible schedule and the ability to work on weekends and/or holidays as needed.

Spay/Neuter Clinic

• Restrain dogs and cats for pre-surgical injections and IV inducing
• Responsible for surgical preparation of patients including, sterilization, and administration of pre-surgical injections
• Perform admitting and discharge duties for public and shelter animals
• Assist with emergency medical practices as necessary
• Maintain proper paperwork and medical records as required by law
• Monitor animals under anesthesia
• Maintain department equipment in good working order. Report items for repair/replacement as needed to appropriate supervisory staff

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This job may supervise volunteers within the spay/neuter clinic area.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must also possess the ability to manage the emotional aspect of end-of-life services and humane euthanasia, and support staff in high-emotion circumstances. Must also have a flexible schedule and available to work weekends and holidays, as needed. Upon hire, the individual must successfully complete a background check.

Education and/or Experience:

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or six months to one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Skills:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, shelter medical records and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before members of the pubic, volunteers, or employees of organization. Good oral and written communication skills.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Chameleon database software or become proficient within the probationary period (first six months from hire date). Basic knowledge, or become proficient with Microsoft Office and computer keyboarding skills, and data entry.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Valid California Drivers License with a good record to be insured under PHS insurance policy.

Able to obtain VACS permit within introductory period. Will be reimbursed permit cost at 6 months’ and 1 year of employment.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands 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.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to grab, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50-75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is routinely exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals; possible routine exposure to zoonotic diseases, aggressive and feral animals; routinely exposed to mechanical moving parts; outside weather conditions and risk of radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. This position has designated start times due to time-sensitive duties, opening the shelter, offering services, etc.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome a diverse pool of applicants