Kennel Assistant, Job Description

REPORTS TO: Manager, Erica Martinez

Manager, Cassidy Hawthorne, RVT

Manager, Gina Murphy

POSITION OVERVIEW

Kennel staff members are responsible for proper husbandry care of all hospitalized and boarded animals, including feeding, bathing, walking, record keeping and the cleanliness of cages, runs and ward areas. In addition, the kennel staff also is responsible for the cleanliness of the hospital. Also needs to be able to take direction of technicians or doctors to carry out treatments, you will need to be able to take a TPR of patients as well as give injections in various routes. When hospital is closed, you will need to monitor hospitalized patients, take care of boarding patients and clean the hospital according to the checklists. Multitasking is a must in this job as well as client communication. You do converse with owners regarding boarding patients and their activities during their stay as well as keeping their belongings organized and kept together. This job is a lot of husbandry and animal interactions, you need to be comfortable with handling small animals including; dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, and guinea pigs.

AGE REQUIREMENT

· The minimum age requirement is 18 years old.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

· High school degree or in the process of attaining.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

· Animal care background is desirable, but not required.

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

· Must uphold our core values of: Integrity, Compassion, Self-Improvement, Reliability, Positivity & Team Spirit

· Must enjoy working with animals and be able to deal with them even when they are stressed, ill or in pain.

· Needs to be available to work weekends, evenings, and holidays to be considered for this position.

· Must work well with others and avoid gossiping.

· Must take constructive criticism well.

· Need to be able to converse well with clients and be able to handle complaints without getting upset or frustrated.

· Must work well under pressure, this is a fast-paced, high-volume job and requires the ability to multitask to be as efficient as possible.

· Perform all duties assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

· Needs to be able to lift and carry animals and food bags 40lbs or less (will be assisted by other staff members in lifting animals over 40 pounds).

· You will be walking or standing for whole shift, 8 to 10 hours.

· Must be able to frequently work in a bent position, while restraining patients for as long as 10 minutes or sometimes more.

· Must be able to reach above your head and perform sweeping and mopping for every shift.

· Must be able to walk and restrain dogs of all sizes, small breeds (Poodle/Chihuahua) to large breeds (Mastiffs/Great Danes).

· Must be able to handle and restrain feline patients, with proper training.

· Must have the ability to speak with authority to Clients of patients.

· Must use computers and other like devices for up to 75% of each day.

NURSING CARE

· Medicates patient either orally, by giving injections, or applying transdermals; understands proper techniques for handling the patient while medicating.

· Monitors and records observations regarding all patients in the hospital and reports observations to a doctor.

· Documents all conversations, observations, and status reports regarding patients, conversations with clients, and doctor’s instructions in medical records.

· Demonstrates proper use and set-up of medical equipment, following safetyguidelines.

· Understands medical terminology, including dosage instructions, and is familiar with drugs prescribed for treatment.

· Communicates with doctors in a professional manner.

· Understands and carries out instructions as directed and in a timely fashion.

· Performs IV catheterization, programs IV pump according to doctor’s instructions.

· Fills prescriptions according to instructions, properly documents in the medical record, and calls in prescriptions to pharmacies when needed.

LABORATORY

· Obtains urine, fecal and other samples from the patient, ensuring patient safety and well-being.

· Prints lab forms, prepares requisitions, and processes reference lab blood work in a timely fashion to ensure samples are ready for daily pickup by lab personnel.

RADIOLOGY

· Wear protective equipment correctly and follows safety guidelines when taking x-rays.

· Positions the animal correctly for different views.

· Uses digital x-ray equipment according to guidelines.

· Enters information on x-ray computer and transfers images to viewer.

CLIENT SERVICES

· Greets clients with a professional, courteous, and friendly demeanor.

· Records conversations in medical records.

· Instructs all team members on appropriate restraint techniques to ensure patient, doctor, and team member safety.

· Performs various restraints for procedures needed to be done to the animal, making sure the safety of the animal and the doctor or technician performing the procedure is of primary concern.

ANIMAL RESTRAINT

· Instructs or takes instructions to/from all team members on appropriate restraint techniques to ensure patient, doctor, and team member safety.

· Performs various restraints for procedures needed to be done to the animal, making sure the safety of the animal and the doctor or technician performing the procedure is of primary concern.

WORK CONDITIONS

· Will be exposed to unpleasant odors, noises, and animal feces.

· Will be exposed to deaths as they occur in the veterinary field.

· May be exposed to bites, scratches, and contagious diseases.

· Must be able to work unaffected in an environment where dogs are barking.

· May be exposed to radiation from hospital equipment.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

· Provides compassionate care to patients.

· Can conduct oneself in a confident and professional manner even when stressed and/or focused on individual tasks.

· Receives animals to be admitted, is responsible for their proper identification and for recording their respective locations.

· Releases animals to their owners as directed by the doctor; ensures that every animal released is clean and properly groomed prior to their release.

· Has the ability to communicate with owners and make them feel comfortable with leaving their pet(s) in our care.

· Can follow a regular schedule for cleaning and sanitizing all cages, runs, wards and related areas; changes litter boxes and food/water bowls.

· Can feed each animal as prescribed by the attending doctor or technician or as the owner has requested and records appetites.

· Understands the importance of prioritizing tasks and keeps oneself busy and productive during work shifts.

· Can maintain laundry for the kennel and hospital.

· Maintains the grounds of the property including waste disposal, light maintenance of landscape upkeep and general building maintenance.

· Can give baths and brush out patients.

· Can collect urine and fecal specimens.

· Can give hospital and kennel tours while highlighting features that differentiate us from other kennels and hospitals in our area.

· Can recognize and report any unusual condition or abnormal behavior.

· Can assist doctors and technicians with the administration of medications or with patient restraint.

· Cleans equipment and facilities using chemicals and supplies; understands the importance of safety of use of chemicals in our facility.

· Maintains the cleanliness of the hospital each day.

· Understands and carries out the daily and monthly chore list to maintain the hospital cleanliness, the equipment, and overall appearance of the hospital.

· Understands and carries out oral and written directions.

· Maintains positive, cooperative relationships with other employees.

· Will be prompt, punctual and attend mandated shifts as assigned.

· Set realistic priorities, organize time, set schedules, meet deadlines, and completes projects on time, ability to coordinate with others, and will not waste company time.

Shift times may vary but include:

6am-2:30/3pm, 7am-3:30/4pm, 10am-5pm, 2pm-9/10pm, 3/4-11:30pm, 11pm-6am (overnight shift)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.50 - $17.50 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Every weekend
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Morning shift
• Night shift

Experience:

• Veterinary experience: 1 year (Preferred)
• Handling and Restraint: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person