The Veterinary Assistant is responsible for the daily care of all surgical patients, general housekeeping and assisting Veterinarians, Clinic Manager, Surgical Coordinator, and other medical support staff with surgical and anesthetic procedures. We currently have three clinics the Village Clinic, the Shelter Clinic and the Mobile clinic.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Patient Care & Treatment Responsibilities

• Assist with initial triage of patients as they are checked in. Report health concerns to Veterinarian or Surgical Coordinator.

• Ensure accurate patient information is obtained and recorded.

• Assist in the safe and humane handling and restraining of animals during anesthesia, induction, and intubation.

• Prepare patients for surgery. Work with medical support team to ensure efficient surgery flow.

• Monitor animals under anesthesia, through recovery, and return to cage.

• Assist veterinarians in surgery as needed.

• Report health and behavior concerns to Veterinarian or Clinic Manager. Work with the staff to safely transport patients from prep to the operating room, recovery, and return to cage.

• Assist with preparation and administration of patient vaccinations, tests, medications and treatments as directed by the Veterinarian.

• Provide excellent patient care.

Clinical Support Responsibilities

• At check in:
  • Obtain history and information from pet owner when necessary.
  • Answer questions regarding procedure(s).
  • Obtain signed surgical consent form.
  • Schedule discharge time.
  • Assure pet is properly identified while in our custody
• Performs all aspects of discharge, including distribution of patient records, post-op instructions, and educational materials.
• Operate and maintain surgical equipment, anesthesia systems, lights, computers, and animal containment systems.
• Participate in staff meetings to share ideas and suggestions for improving animal care and/or efficiency, and the quality of the organization as a whole.

General Cleaning & Operational Support Responsibilities

• Post-surgery cleanup including, but not limited to, scrubbing instruments, operating autoclave, cleaning surgery suite & clinic, kennels & cages, and process laundry.
• Follow shelter protocols pertaining to disease control & sanitation.
• Maintain inventory supply lists and assist in ordering to ensure adequate supply levels.
• Restock supplies at end of each day.
• Assist in the cleaning of public and employee areas – entryway, parking lot, break room or other areas as assigned.

Spay Shuttle Surgical Unit Responsibilities

• Perform full check of mobile unit using maintenance checklist on a daily basis, including fueling, tire, lights, water holding tanks and general maintenance.
• Maintain fleet maintenance service schedule.
• Drive mobile unit to and from off-site location, as well as parking, leveling, set-up, tear down and overnight storage.
• Operate all systems and equipment on the mobile unit, including generator, batteries and HVAC systems, and coordinate repairs when needed.

COMPETENCIES

Professional Communication Proficiency – oral and written.

Planning and Delegation.

Ethical Conduct.

Strategic Thinking.

Leadership.

Decision Making.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position has no supervisory responsibility.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/ EQUIPMENT USE

• Indoors in a high noise air-conditioned/heated building, outdoors at shelter or on-location for various activities.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as PC, printer, copy machine, fax machine, filing cabinets, telephone, as well as cleaning equipment and supplies.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL/SENSORY DEMANDS

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand for long periods of time (6-8 hours/day); walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 40 pounds by self or with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Regular exposure to a variety of animals and their bodily fluids, cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, bites, and scratches. Duties are performed indoors in a high noise air-conditioned/heated building, outdoors at the shelter, or on-location for various activities. Must use self-care skills to combat compassion fatigue.

Potential and Prolonged Exposures

• Prolonged exposure to various aqueous solutions such as chlorhexidine and spectra soap.
• Prolonged exposure to isopropanol (“alcohol”) and hydrogen peroxide.
• Potential exposure to formalin solution.
• Potential/Prolonged exposure to isoflurane gas.
• Prolonged exposure to quartenary ammonium cleaners and bleach.
• Prolonged exposure to pressurized steam.
• Potential exposure to sharps including needles and surgical blades.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is a full-time position. Work hours may vary and evening, weekend, and holiday hours will be required. Shared on-call responsibilities (via phone and in person at the shelter).

TRAVEL

No travel is required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

[Indicate education, certification & experience based on requirements that are job-related and consistent with business necessity. ALSO, indicate whether it is “required” or “preferred” See example below.]

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Associates Degree is preferred.
• Minimum of one (1) to two (2) years of veterinary or animal care experience is required.
• Must have a valid Tennessee Driver’s License.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook is required, and experience with database software is strongly preferred.

SKILLS AND PROFICIENCIES

• Positive, optimistic outlook.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in a busy workplace environment.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn basic veterinary medical concepts including but not limited to vaccine protocols and anesthetic risks.
• Previous animal handling and understanding of animal behavior (e.g. identify aggressive or fearful behavior).
• Superior reflex & response time.

AAP/EEO STATEMENT

Young Williams Animal Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability or genetic information.