Veterinary Assistant - AZ - Large Animal Clinic - College of Veterinary Medicine

Summary

The Veterinary Assistant is a position at the Large Animal Clinic focuses on providing exceptional animal husbandry and care for our educational horses and cattle. This position also requires assisting veterinary technicians and clinicians and providing direct patient care and client service. The successful candidate must be capable of assuming responsibility for completion of assigned tasks and must work alone or in the company of others, either with or without direct supervision.  The Veterinary Assistant will function as an integral member of the animal health care team and must be an excellent communicator who is able to educate clients and veterinary students.  This position requires working early morning, evening, weekends, and holidays.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities   

• Work in conjunction with the faculty in teaching students.
• Follow husbandry protocols in accordance with USDA and IACUC requirements.
• Assist in restraining large animals for procedures and treatments.
• Operate manual and hydraulic cattle chute safely and proficiently.
• Safely drive the Animal Health Institute/LAC trucks on ambulatory calls.
• Haul a mobile cattle chute on ambulatory calls.
• Assist in setting up equipment for exams and diagnostics.
• Assist in setting up lab equipment for student teaching.
• Communicate potential animal health issues to LAC manager, or LAC attending veterinarian(s).
• Assist with providing accurate treatment plan costs.
• Submit, process, or run routine lab samples.
• Recordkeeping - adding appropriate patient notes into an electronic medical record.
• Process client invoices.
• Maintain equipment and vehicles.
• Assist faculty on an as-needed basis with student instruction
• Utilize correct veterinary terminology.
• Other duties may be assigned.
• Must treat all employees, students, and clients with a high level of respect and follow customer service guidelines and protocol.
• Observe, feed, and water cattle and horses as instructed.
• Assist in cleaning of animal holding areas, including removal of manure.
• Process laundry/linen as needed to assure an adequate and neat supply at all times

General Knowledge 

• Know the range of services the Large Animal Clinic provides and the species it serves
• Know normal behavior of large animals
• Follow and comply with OSHA standards
• Must be familiar with standard veterinary terminology
• Must be familiar with common large animal infectious diseases and common prevention methods and protocols.

Qualifications 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. This individual must have the ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner and must have regular, predictable, in-person attendance. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

A high school diploma or GED is required.  Previous experience handling large animals which includes cattle, horses, or other farm animals.  This individual must have knowledge of large animal husbandry care along with knowledge of safe and humane handling of large farm animals such as horses and/or cattle. This individual must be detail oriented. 

Other Qualifications

• The position requires strict compliance with all policies and procedures.
• This position requires working early morning, evening, weekends and holidays
• Must be capable of working in an animal healthcare environment which involves sick and injured animals along with animal products and wastes including feces, urine, blood, vomit, and other body fluids. 
• Must be willing and able to handle and/or transport deceased animals and animal parts as well as collect and transfer bio-hazardous waste.
• This position requires a significant amount of interaction with the public and, therefore, the individual must be able to develop positive rapport effectively.
• Must exhibit good customer service skills 
• Must have a valid driver’s license
• Must be able to safely drive the Animal Health Institute/LAC trucks on ambulatory calls
• Must be willing to drive a forklift and obtain certification

Computer Skills                                              
The individual must have the ability to learn the StringSoft Veterinary Management System, and have basic proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook). 

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand for long periods. The employee must regularly use hands to handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to stand and walk. Have the physical strength and ability to stand for long periods and be able to lift objects and animals weighing up to 40 pounds without assistance.

Animal allergies statement: No inhibiting allergies to animals, hay, or dust.

Work Environment 
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides graduate and post-graduate education in the health sciences. The University has two campuses, one in Downers Grove, Illinois and the other in Glendale, Arizona. More than 6,000 full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, cardiovascular perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology, speech language pathology, biomedical sciences and veterinary medicine. Over 500 full-time faculty members and 400 staff members are dedicated to the education and development of our students in an environment that encourages learning, respect for all members of the health care team, service, interdisciplinary scholarly activity, and personal growth.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance, short/long term disability and pet insurance.  We offer flexible spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care account.  We offer a work life balance with competitive time off package including paid holiday’s, sick/flex days, personal days and vacation days.  We offer a 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, child care subsidy reimbursement program, identity theft protection and an employee assistance program.  Wellness is important to us and we offer a wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility. 

Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based upon race; color; religion; creed; national origin or ancestry; ethnicity; sex (including pregnancy); gender (including gender expressions, gender identity; and sexual orientation); marital status; age; disability; citizenship; past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services; genetic information; or any other protected class, in accord with all federal, state and local laws, and regulation. Midwestern University complies with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act (A.R.S. 36-601.01) and the Smoke Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/).  Midwestern University complies with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts.