The Anti-Cruelty Society has opened its search for a full-time Veterinary Assistant/Technician. Under the direction of the Clinic Manager, the Veterinary Assistant/Technician is responsible for maintaining a safe, healthy, sterile environment, learning the aspects of companion animal care and assisting the veterinarians in ensuring the best possible outcome for the animals.

Clinic training operates on a tier system. As you acquire the knowledge and skills of each tier, you will advance to the next level for training.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Tier 1:

• Uphold the PETS Work Culture Agreement through Praise, Engagement, Trust and Support
• Have reliable attendance and punctuality
• Support the Fear Free Shelter practices

Tier 2:

• Understand how to make simple entries in Petpoint (i.e., accurate recording of medications dispensed, changing stages, locations, etc.). Overall basic understanding of Petpoint.
• Maintain cleanliness of all clinic areas.
• Have knowledge of zoonotic diseases and other OSHA policies
• Understand infectious disease cleaning protocols for rooms/cages that have been exposed to Parvo, Distemper, etc.
• Understand vaccine protocols and preventatives
• Ability to administer of oral, topical and subcutaneous medications and ability to read charts and/or directions on how to correctly give the right dose.
• Ability to administer IV/IM/SQ injections.
• Transfer animals to/from the clinic as needed
• Assist the veterinarians with physical exams on both dogs and cats using proper restraint
• Complete the following tests without assistance
  1. Skin scrape analysis under microscope
  2. Heartworm tests
  3. Parvo tests
  4. Feline Leukemia tests
  5. Combo tests
  6. Fecal analysis under microscope
  7. Cytologies
• Free catch urine and perform urinalysis and USG
• Order IDEXX tests
• Utilize Heska analyzers for CBC, comprehensive and presurgical testing
• Administer ear and flea treatment
• Perform subcutaneous fluid therapy
• Perform simple grooming
• Ability to complete an outpatient room appointment from start to finish without assistance
• Perform nail trims, ear cleanings and suture removals.
• Ability to take vitals (Temperature, Pulse, Respiration) and medical observations and record accurately
• Complete online training for assigned courses.
• Perform disinfection and maintenance of surgical tools and equipment
• Perform post surgical recovery without assistance and ability to monitor and track vitals for animals under anesthesia.
• Prepare animals for surgical procedures (i.e., shaving, SQ injections, microchipping, lidocaine blocks, etc.)
• Ability to set up surgery table for incoming animal, tying in, scrubbing and usage of the anesthesia machine without assistance
• Perform ear tips on feral cats
• Set up and perform digital xrays from start to finish without assistance
• Ability to perform a dental cleaning and knowledge of teeth numbering, able to inform doctor of any problem areas, setting up dental machine and performing full mouth dental radiographs within a reasonable time limit
• Perform basic maintenance and troubleshooting on Heska equipment
• Perform encephalopathy for rabies submission without assistance
• Draw blood on canine and feline patients
• Understand rabbit protocol for restraint, monitoring and recovery

Tier 3:

• Knowledge of how to set up and run surgery.
• Knowledge of anesthesia protocols and processes including drawing up surgery drugs.
• Administer anesthesia drugs for all animals, including rabbits.
• Perform jugular blood draws
• Perform intravenous catheter placement
• Perform intubation
• Cross train in all areas of clinic – able to jump into other areas when needed.
• Run anesthesia on non-routine surgical procedures including set up of all equipment needed.
• Ability to troubleshoot all equipment
• Exceptional attendance and reliability
• Exceptional ability to multitask, keep doctors moving, triage under high stress circumstances.
• Able to assist in surgery as an assistant to the surgeon (scrub, use sterile technique gloving up and touching instruments, etc.)

Upon becoming Tier 3, the following will be expected of you:

• Mentoring and training new technicians in all areas of the clinic.
• Lead by example for the entire team to follow
• Managing the workflow of the medical team in absence of a manager
• Leadership of the medical team including knowledge of team members’ capabilities

If all levels have been successfully completed, the vet assistant may begin training to lead a surgery day and attend independent training sessions for euthanasia certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITY

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Works effectively in a team environment
• Detail oriented and strong organizational skills
• Ability to multi task while providing quality care in a fast paced and high volume setting
• Effective communication skills
• Maintains a neat and professional appearance
• Compassion and empathy for both animals and owners
• Passion for animals
• Comfortable in handling animals and the potential risk they pose

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or GED required
• 1 to 3 years of previous experience in an animal related field

Note: a comparable combination of education, experience or training that would provide a level of knowledge, skills, and ability may qualify individuals.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work in all weather conditions
• Ability to handle work around companion animals
• Ability to remain on feet for long periods of time
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds
• Ability to frequently bend, stoop and reach

The Anti-Cruelty Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer.