Animal Care Assistant

MSU Jobs•Starkville, MS

About The Position

Responsible for providing daily care, cleanliness, and upkeep for a variety of laboratory animals in a laboratory or hospital setting. Position reports to Office Manager (functional supervisor) and Technicians on duty (line managers)

Requirements

High school or GED.
Experience in animal care practices.
Must be neat and organized and have a strong attention to detail.
Must be able to follow instructions and be good at prioritizing work in order to keep the facility, grounds and equipment clean, while at the same time helping as needed with animal restraint.
Must effectively be able to read, speak and write in English.
Must be able to lift 50 lbs., work on feet all day, and handle animals up to 100 lbs.
Must be punctual and able to work assigned shifts, including nights, holidays and weekends.
Must follow practice dress code and present a clean and professional appearance.
Must practice good hygiene minimize disease spread when handling patients.
Must understand basic safety guidelines for radiation, handling cleaning chemicals and supplies, and animal restraint.

Responsibilities

Ensures animal cages and/or containment rooms are kept clean and orderly.
May perform a variety of animal care duties such as (but not limited to) feeding, watering, and applying shredded paper to cages.
The assistant is primarily responsible for cleanliness of the hospital and for assisting technicians with patient restraint.
Perform husbandry duties for non-critical patients.
Assist in patient restraint during triage assessments, IV catheter placements, and blood draws.
Support technicians with basic treatment tasks, including performing TPRs (temperature, pulse, respiration).
Conduct routine ward walkthroughs ensuring patient husbandry.
Assist with kennel maintenance and sanitation ensuring patients have appropriate bedding and comfort items.
Perform overnight restocking and organizational tasks ensuring hospital maintenance.
Perform storeroom inventory restocking.
Prepare unit for shift change ensuring sanitation, cleanliness, and stock.
Maintain biosecurity protocols.
Maintain clean and sanitary workspaces including floors, counterspace, dishes, laundry, and garbage.
Maintain refrigerator for up-to-date husbandry needs.
Maintain food room as needed.
Keep lower outside windows clean.
Spray any wasp nests as they are found.
Help properly identify and prepare cadavers for pick up.
Provide patient restraint for exam, imaging or procedures, as needed.
Run errands for the hospital.
Walk dogs outside.
Clean and disinfect kennels and runs and keep animals in a clean, sanitary and comfortable environment.
Follow all safety rules concerning animal restraint, handling cleaning supplies, and radiation safety.
Attend hospital meetings or events, when invited.
Water bushes outside, as needed.
Help with triage, including retrieving sick or injured patients from vehicles.
Other duties as assigned.