Kennel Assistant at Oak Ridge Veterinary Hospital

Oak Ridge Veterinary Hospital•Oak Ridge, TN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Kennel Assistant at Oak Ridge Veterinary Hospital provides care for patients visiting the practice for grooming and/or boarding. This role is responsible for maintaining a clean and safe environment for all patients by cleaning cages, runs, and ward areas, and washing laundry. The Kennel Assistant also walks, feeds, and administers medication to patients under the supervision of a Doctor or Technician, based on their confidence and experience. The ideal candidate will have weekend availability and prior animal handling experience, with weekend shifts rotating.

Requirements

Ability to work on weekends as required
Ability to lift patients up to 25 pounds; ability to lift patients over 25 pounds with assistance
Practices OSHA safety techniques including proper PPE

Nice To Haves

Previous veterinary experience preferred
Weekend availability
Prior animal handling experience

Responsibilities

Provides great care for patients visiting the practice for grooming and / or boarding.
Ensures patients are admitted noting the client’s specific instructions to ensure a quality outcome including contact information and pick up time.
Accurately and legibly records information related to the patient such as feeding schedules, appearance, and behavior during practice visit.
Observes patient’s appearance and activity for general physical condition, obvious signs of illness, disease and discontent.
Appropriately handles patients and as needed, properly restrains hard-to-control patients.
Walks patients several times a day to provide exercise and time for elimination of bowels and bladder.
Applies knowledge of normal food and liquid requirements and as required, provides special food and liquids.
Ensures patients are clean and fresh smelling and have been checked by a Technician / Doctor prior to discharge; ensures patient has all personal property upon exit.
Ensures cages and patients are properly numbered and identified and that personal property (toys, treats, blankets, leashes) are stored in the proper areas and identified.
Regularly cleans, disinfects and maintain kennels, cages, runs and stalls as often as is necessary to ensure no cages or kennels are soiled and odors are not apparent.
Performs general cleaning in other areas of the hospital to control the spread of disease.
Washes and sterilizes water and food bowls.
Launders and dries towels and blankets.
Walks hospital grounds regularly and cleans any trash and stool material; empties trash throughout the practice and grounds.
Performs other duties as assigned.