FT Foster Care Veterinary Assistant (Foster Care)

Job Skills / Requirements

Position Overview:

Functions as an expert on evaluating and providing medical treatment for animals in foster care with the Lexington Humane Society (LHS) and Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control (LFACC).  Must be 21 years of age, have a high school diploma, submit to a background check, and be eligible for Kentucky State Euthanasia Specialist Certification.  Must maintain strict confidentiality.  Requires a strong commitment to the mission and purpose of LHS and LFACC.  Prior experience as a Veterinary Assistant or Veterinary Technician is desired.  This is a non-exempt position reporting to the Manager of Animal Welfare.

Key Accountabilities:

• Prioritizes compassionate and humane treatment of animals
• Determines age, breed, and sex of animals
• Facilitates foster wellness and diagnostic visits, including booster vaccinations, re-checks, and medical exams
• Administers vaccinations and medications
• Completes veterinary procedures as directed by LHS Veterinarian
• Triages foster care animals with LHS Veterinarian as needed
• Ensures ongoing medical treatment is provided
• Uses appropriate safety and Personal Protective Equipment
• Maintains company equipment with care and respect
• Maintains the foster care exam room as a clean, sanitized, stocked workplace
• Updates animal profiles based on evaluation and treatment
• Completes timely, accurate, appropriate data entry into Shelter Buddy 
• Ensures records for animals in care are accessible, current, and accurate
• Responds to foster parents in a timely, professional, and consistent manner
• Resolves all foster parent concerns in a timely and respectful manner
• Communicates escalated issues to Manager of Animal Welfare as necessary
• Performs euthanasia as necessary in accordance with all laws and regulations 
• Humanely and respectfully disposes of euthanized animals
• Ensures all drug logs and records are completed per state and federal regulations
• Disposes of medical waste in a proper fashion 
• Maintains appropriate volunteer records and database information
• Completes all activities consistent with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge 

• Current controlled substance laws and regulations
• LHS and relevant LFACC SOP
• Word, Excel, and other applicable software
• Animal breeds, basic behavior, temperament, and care

Skills

• Excellent internal and external customer service skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong organizational skills with an attention to detail
• Accurate and detailed data entry skills

Abilities

• Works in a team environment
• Self-motivates and works independently in a timely fashion
• Handles difficult situations
• Multitasks in a high-pressure environment
• Assimilates incoming information and immediately prioritizes
• Evaluates situations and determine correct level of response
• Makes decisions quickly and accurately 
• Interfaces with other departments to ensure the humane treatment of animals
• Communicates respectfully with all levels of the organization
• Handles all types of animals, large and small
• Lifts animals, sometimes weighing in excess of 60 pounds
• Handles mental pressure of life and death decision-making
• Maintains flexibility and assists with what is needed for the betterment of the organization

Education Requirements (All)

High School Diploma

Certification Requirements (All)

Kentucky State Euthanasia Specialist Certification

Additional Information / Benefits

Benefits: Medical Insurance, Life Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Pension/Retirement, Simple IRA Plan