Animal Health Specialist
About The Position
This role is responsible for assisting Animal Health Technicians with routine surgical procedures and maintaining the cleanliness of surgical recovery areas. The specialist will consult with technicians on the daily surgery schedule, assist with restraining fractious animals requiring sedation, and monitor animals during recovery. They will also be responsible for cleaning and sterilizing surgical instruments, assisting with examinations and minor medical procedures like microchipping and vaccinations, and logging medications used during surgeries. The position involves lifting and carrying animals, cleaning and sanitizing recovery kennels, utilizing shelter software for animal information, and coordinating with volunteers and interns. Safety measures, including proper animal restraints and behavioral cue recognition, are paramount, as is reporting any safety incidents. The role also includes unpacking and managing DEA controlled substances, assisting with inventory, performing Animal Care Specialist duties, and clerical/customer service tasks as needed. Training volunteers and interns is also a responsibility, along with attending meetings and trainings and performing special duties as assigned.
Requirements
- High school diploma and six (6) months of experience working with animals in an animal hospital, shelter, or related animal facility; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Knowledge of animal health and well-being including the signs and symptoms of animal illnesses, injuries, and behavioral issues
- Knowledge of proper and safe handling and restraints
- Demonstrated customer service and communication skills
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, computers, and phone/iPad software and applications such as instant messaging (IM), email, FaceTime, PetPoint, etc.
- Valid driver’s license (Required within thirty (30) days of employment)
Nice To Haves
- Associate degree in a related field
- One (1) year experience in a high-volume spay/neuter clinic
- Two (2) years of animal welfare experience
- Advanced knowledge of dog and cat body language cues
- Licensed Veterinary Technician
- Bilingual (Spanish)
Responsibilities
- Consults with Animal Health Technicians on daily surgery schedule to ensure animals are labeled in kennel
- Assists Animal Health Technicians with restraining fractious animals requiring sedation for surgical procedures
- Monitors animals during recovery immediately after surgery and alerts Animal Health Technician and/or Shelter Veterinarian when an animal may need medical intervention
- Cleans and sterilizes surgical instrument and arranges into “packs”
- Assists Animal Health Technicians with examinations and minor medical procedures, including microchipping and vaccinations
- Assists logging medications used during surgical procedures, including controlled substances, records when needed
- Assists Animal Health Technician in lifting/carrying large animals for surgery after sedation
- Assists Animal Health Technicians with post-op care, such as wound cleaning and bandaging
- Cleans and sanitizes recovery kennels
- Utilizes shelter software to maintain information about animals, including medical histories
- Works and coordinates with volunteers and interns, and supervises as needed
- Transports animals to and from the surgery/clinic area as needed throughout the day
- Assists with surgery check in/pick up
- Follows all safety measures and policies, including proper animal restraints and reading animal behavioral cues, and promptly reports any safety incidents to leadership
- Unpackages and properly follows policies for Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) controlled substances
- Assists in assessing inventory for the shelter clinic
- Performs Animal Care Specialist duties, as needed
- Performs clerical and customer service duties, as needed
- Oversees and trains volunteers and interns, as needed
- Attends all meetings and trainings, as
- Performs special duties as assigned
Benefits
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays is a schedule requirement
- Essential personnel for emergency situations; discretion of department director
- Regular attendance is
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
