Kennel Technician

Position Overview

The purpose of this position is to provide for the daily care of boarding and day-care pets. This includes feeding, watering, cleaning, walking, bathing, medicating, and monitoring the wellbeing of dogs and cats, and occasionally horses. This position requires a love of animals and the ability to warmly welcome and compassionately care for a wide variety of pets.

Kennel team members use excellent communication and client-service skills to admit and discharging pets and reassure nervous clients that their pets will be well cared for. Kennel team members demonstrate professional and courteous behavior toward clients and coworkers while handling multiple tasks, even during many interruptions. Kennel team members empathize with clients and remain compassionate and well-mannered if a client becomes emotional or discourteous. They strongly believe in the quality of care provided and communicate this sense of assurance to clients. Kennel team members understand services and health recommendations for boarders and day-care pets.

The Kennel Team member administers medications to and bathes pets, including those that are fearful and/or aggressive. The Team Member monitors pets for signs of distress or disease and provides for the comfort of pets and sanitation of the facility by keeping the kennel area and ground clean and odor-free.

Must be able to withstand unpleasant odors and noises. May be exposed to bites, scratches, animal waste, and contagious diseases.

Reporting Structure

Directly reports to the Practice Manager

Primary Responsibilities

General

• Understands and applies hospital policies and procedures.
• Keeps kennel and grounds clean, orderly, and clutter-free.
• Removes trash, sweeps, and mops daily.
• Launders bedding and surgical linens.
• Stocks supplies as needed.
• Attends staff and departmental meetings
  
  

Client Relations

• Answers the telephone by the fifth ring in a courteous and friendly manner, and places client on hold or takes a message.
• Properly admits and releases all patients for the boarding kennel.
• Obtains information from the medical record regarding the pet’s medical needs and communicates it to the appropriate hospital staff.
• Obtains and documents information regarding accurate medications and administration, communicating that information to the appropriate hospital staff.
• Obtains and documents information concerning grooming services desired by clients.
• Recommends additional services to clients, such as bath or nail trims.
• Prepares paperwork for boarding patients.
  
  

Animal Care

• Provides compassionate patient care, including keeping patients clean, dry, and comfortable and alerting hospital staff to changes in patients’ condition while boarding.
• Administers flea medication based on direction of veterinarian if fleas are noted on pet at intake.
• Medicates patients and logs medication data in the computer/chart.
• Records weight at admit and every 7 days during stay.
• Applies name band to patient at admit and removes before release.
• Puts pets in a secure cage with water and attaches necessary paperwork (cage card).
• Notes any concerns about pets’ medical condition, and alerts veterinarian or LVT
• Cleans and sterilizes runs and cages daily, and as pets’ are discharged.
• Walks (three times per day), feeds, and medicates (as instructed) animals, and logs that data immediately into the chart.
• Monitors and logs daily urination and defecation habits and any occurrence of vomiting or diarrhea.
• Bathes, trims nails, and brushes out patients.
  
  

Personal Conduct

• Adheres to all hospital policies, standards, and procedures, including but not limited to uniforms, grooming, and smoking as stated in the hospital procedures manual.
• Serves as a representative of the hospital, displaying courtesy, tact, consideration, and a positive attitude in all interactions with clients, patients, and other staff members.
• Demonstrates initiative in everyday duties by seeking out other work during down times, assisting other employees and departments, and filling in for other employees as needed.
• Adheres to the posted work schedule. Arrives for work promptly and begins work at the start time. Follows hospital policies for reporting lateness or absences.
• Utilizes the time clock to clock in and out at the beginning and end of each day and during breaks.
• Prioritizes tasks and handles multiple tasks in a calm, organized manner.
  
  

Additional Duties

• Attends departmental and staff meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor
  
  

Requirements

• HS diploma or educational equivalent. If currently enrolled in HS, can obtain a work permit.
• Availability to occasionally work uncommon hours, including weekends and holidays, and overtime and to be recalled in emergency situations.
• Excellent animal-handling skills, including the confidence and dexterity to administer medications to and bathe animals.
• Ability to properly restrain patients.
• Ability to complete assigned tasks in the time allotted without direct supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to show empathy toward clients and treat animals with respect and compassion.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• A commitment to outstanding client service.
• Ability to lift objects weighing 40 pounds without assistance and objects weighing more than 40 pounds with assistance.
• Ability to stay on task and work energetically for entire shift, sometimes exceeding 10 hours per day.
• Preferred: One year or more of experience in a veterinary hospital.
  
  

At AmeriVet, we’re committed to your growth, development, well-being, and success. We empower team members with the resources, support, and opportunities needed to thrive in their careers and make a lasting impact in our communities.

Here’s what you can expect when you join our team:

• Tailored development programs, mentorship, and career pathing to help you achieve your unique goals.
• Competitive pay, performance bonuses, 401(k) matching, and student loan assistance to foster your financial well-being.
• Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and mental health resources to support your overall well-being.
• Generous paid time off and holidays, because your personal time matters.
• A supportive, collaborative environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
  
  

Please note: Any Benefits listed above apply to full-time employees.

At AmeriVet, your unique skills and passion are celebrated, and every team member has the tools to thrive. Our people-focused approach is centered on helping you grow in your career while making a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.