Veterinary Assistant

 For detailed information on paid time off, visit Employee Policy Manual, Section 5

• Provides daily medical care, treatment, and monitoring for dogs, cats, and other animals in the shelter (including daily medication administration and supportive care to critical animals).
• Observes shelter animals and communicates medical and behavioral observations to the shelter veterinarian including monitoring Daily Observation logs for all animals.
• Assists the shelter veterinarian and veterinary technician with examinations, diagnostics, treatments, and medical procedures.
• Administers medications (e.g. as injections, oral medication, topical treatments, etc.), vaccinations, microchip implantation, and other treatments as prescribed.
• Cleans/Disinfects clinic areas, including cages, surgical equipment, animal transport devices, etc.
• Performs and assists with laboratory testing, including collection and processing of blood, urine, fecal, and other diagnostic samples. Prepares samples for outside laboratory analysis including accurate preparation and coordinating pickup.
• Assists with spay/neuter and all other surgical procedures, including anesthetic induction, aseptic patient preparation, and post-operative recovery.
• Monitors patients during anesthesia and surgical procedures and recognizes potential complications.
• Cleans instruments, wraps surgical packs, and operates autoclave to sanitize surgical equipment.
• Performs routine treatments such as wound care, bandage changes, ear cleaning, nail trims, and other veterinary procedures within the scope of practice.
• Monitors animals for signs of illness, injury, pain, behavioral changes, or other medical concerns and promptly communicates findings to the veterinarian.
• Assists with animal intake examinations, health assessments, vaccinations, and preparation for adoption.
• Maintains accurate and timely medical records, treatment notes, medication records, and surgical documentation.
• Follows established protocols for infectious-disease prevention, isolation, sanitation, and shelter biosecurity.
• Safely and humanely handles and restrains animals using appropriate, low-stress handling techniques.
• Maintains clean, organized, and sanitary treatment, surgical, isolation, clinic, and animal-care areas.
• Maintains stock of medical supplies in surgery room, prep room, clinic, and clinic support areas (Euthanasia room, Intake, Cat Holding, Flex Spaces, etc.)
• Provides basic medical-care guidance to shelter staff, volunteers, foster caregivers, and adopters as appropriate.
• Provides medical support for fosters including performing routine vaccinations/weight checks, maintaining foster surgical schedule, and advising fosters on medical concerns, treatments, and course of action.
• Collaborates with animal-care, behavior, foster, adoption, and administrative teams to support positive outcomes for shelter animals.
• Assists with emergency and urgent medical cases as needed. Including providing critical care such as fluid administration, CPR, etc. for critically ill or injured patients. 
• Participates in continuing education and remains current with shelter medicine and veterinary-care practices.
• Maintains accurate records including Labeling Drugs/chemicals and SDS Binder, Controlled substance logs, etc. 
• Places appropriate communicative signage when applicable- i.e. NPO, Caution, Special Diet, Contagious, etc. 
• Participates in maintaining medical inventory by communicating inventory shortages/surplus’ with technician and veterinarian. 
• Completes adoption packets for animals going up for adoption (rabies certificate, state medical disclosure, medical record, microchip info, booster info etc.)
• Transports animals to/from off-site veterinary hospitals/locations for diagnostics, medical, or surgical care. 
• Maintains regular attendance and punctuality. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Adjusts work assignments and schedules in the event of an emergency to participate in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities as assigned.
• Depending on assignment may maintain required emergency management training, licensure and/or certifications.
• Performs related duties as required or assigned within job classification.

• Completion of a High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• One (1) year of experience as a Veterinary Assistant or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.