Veterinary Medical Assistant

Nature of Work
This is very responsible technical work assisting with all aspects of the caring and placement of animals taken to the Maury County Animal Shelter. Activities associated with the job include assisting with the intake of stray and/or abandoned animals, coordinating all aspects of animal health care, monitoring the health of animals on a daily basis and conferring with the veterinarian about any animals requiring medical treatment and assisting with surgery and procedures. Additional responsibilities include conducting basic medical examinations of animals entering the shelter to determine health care needs and performing a variety of treatments/procedures on animals including vaccines/medications, de-worming, bathing, grooming, flea and tick removal, FeLV/FIV and Heartworm testing, skin scrapes and lab work. The incumbent also schedules veterinarian appointments, transports animals, completes animal health care records and ensures that adequate medical supplies are maintained for the shelter. Job responsibilities require strong interpersonal, organizational and decision making skills, thorough experience in animal control activities and working with animals, thorough knowledge of all state regulations and local ordinances governing the care and treatment of animals, a minimum of two years’ experience working in a veterinarian clinic or shelter, ability to consistently adhere to established operational policies and procedures and sufficient strength and agility to perform the physically demanding aspects of the job in a variety of weather conditions. Job performance is evaluated by the Animal Shelter Director through review of the effectiveness of animal handling and control activities, knowledge and expertise in veterinary science, knowledge of state regulations and local ordinances governing animal control activities, level of support and assistance provided for shelter operations and organizational, interpersonal and decision making skills.

Illustrative Examples of Work
-Coordinates all animal health care for the shelter and monitors the health of animals on a daily basis and confers with the veterinarian about any animals needing medical treatment.
-Conducts basic medical examinations of animals entering the shelter to determine health care needs and reports findings to the veterinarian.
-Performs a variety of treatments and procedures including administering vaccines/medications, de-worming, bathing, grooming, flea and tick removal, FeLV/FIV & Heartworm testing, skin scrapes and lab work.
-Assists veterinarian with surgeries and procedures.
-Schedules veterinarian appointments, transports animals and assists the veterinarian with performing procedures.
-Completes animal health related records and ensures adequate supplies of medical and health care supplies are maintained at all times.
-Maintains inventories of all pharmaceuticals, equipment and supplies.
-Evaluates the temperament of animals for adoption and assists shelter staff with adoption counseling and safe animal handling.
-Provides guidance and technical assistance to shelter staff and volunteers and serves as a resource on animal care, welfare and behavior.
-Makes presentations to school, churches, civic organizations on issues relating to animal control, shelter operations, etc.
-Consistently adheres to established operational policies and procedures to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Animal Shelter.
-Ensures the humane handling and care of all animals taken in by the animal shelter and ensures that each animal’s nutritional and housing needs are met on a daily basis.
-Assists the public with completing application forms and makes assessments of their ability to adequately care for adopted pets.
-Interacts with pet owners and the public when dealing with stray or abandoned animals and animals that have been hurt or have bitten someone.
-Educates the public on the law and ordinances pertaining to animal ownership and control.
-Assists with compiling statistics, maintaining records and preparing reports of shelter activities, animal dispositions and animal control activities.
-Euthanizes animals when necessary and/or oversees and assists with these activities when performed by other shelter staff.
-Performs related duties as required.