Description

Job Summary

The Veterinary Assistant Apprentice is a 12-week working apprenticeship. The apprentice will learn veterinary assistant skills on the job while assisting the veterinarian in examining and treating Community Medicine animals. The Community Medicine program services pets of PAWS for Life clients with injury/illness care through weekly veterinary clinics at the Englewood Outreach Center. PAWS for Life works on the ground in underserved communities of Chicago to remove barriers to access pet wellness resources, with a focus on spay/neuter. Using these strategies, PAWS for Life is making strides towards a no-kill Chicago, keeping pets in their homes, reducing overpopulation, and empowering pet owners with the resources and information they need to make the healthiest decisions for their pets.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Community Medicine
   • Assist the veterinarian during Community Medicine days including: restraining cats and dogs for exams and blood collection, vaccinations, performing basic diagnostic tests, sterilizing workspace
   • Assist the veterinarian during pre-surgical exams during Community Outreach spay/neuter days and vaccination clinics
   • Complete weekly mentoring hour with Community Outreach Veterinarian
   • Complete two soft skills training meetings with Outreach Manager
   • Assist the program with administrative duties as necessary
   • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Requirements

1. Reside in PAWS for Life target areas.
2. Passion for cats, dogs, and animal welfare.
3. Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds.
4. Must be able to stand for 8 hours.
5. Willingness to learn and accept feedback in order to sharpen skills.
6. Customer service skills - ability and desire to interface with the public and volunteers.
7. Sensitivity to the communities in which we are providing resources.
8. Ability to stay focused on the priorities of the job.

Preferences

1. Shelter and/or pet ownership experience.

PAWS Chicago Values-in-Action

1. Respect: for each and every life.
2. Community: of people and organizations committed to helping homeless pets.
3. Innovation: to constantly improve best practices and seek out new ideas and strategies to save more lives. To be a Learning Center that evolves and grows.
4. Pro-activity: to solve difficult problems and to be prepared to offer emergency and crisis support.
5. Transparency: that informs the public about the fate of homeless animals.
6. Education: that raises awareness about the realities that homeless animals face in the community and across the nations, providing a forum for people to get involved in effecting change. Promotes and support reasonable pet ownership.
7. Sustainability: through financial management practices that maximize the impact and reach of our resources and endure that PAWS Chicago will always be a resource for homeless animals.
8. Compassion: towards all people and animals.