Lead Shelter Medicine Veterinary Assistant
About The Position
The Lead Shelter Medicine Veterinary Assistant supports the Clinic Manager with animal health checks, surgery, and medication administration. The role also provides oversight and support to the Shelter Medicine team and serves as a resource and example for team members. The position is expected to uphold LifeLine Animal Project’s values: Save Lives, Build Community, Be Exceptional Stewards, Be Courageous, Be Compassionate, Take Responsibility, and Respect, Embrace and Celebrate Diversity. The lead directs and supports veterinary assistants, helps coordinate training and team performance, communicates unusual situations and regulatory concerns to the Clinic Manager, contributes input on personnel matters, and serves as a liaison between staff and management. Shelter medicine duties include client service and education, animal examinations and treatment support, sample collection, surgical preparation and monitoring, supervised vaccination and medication administration, first aid, maintaining clinic cleanliness and equipment, and documenting medical information. The role also supports clinic volunteers and participates in LifeLine’s annual training requirement. The work may involve unpleasant kennel smells and handling stray, injured, diseased, or vicious dogs and cats. The employee must be able to stand for extended periods, bend and reach, and lift and carry 50 pounds without assistance. Weekend work is required. A means of transportation that ensures prompt arrival for shifts and a background check are required.
Requirements
- Compassion for animals and the people who love and care for them.
- Ability to serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity.
- Knowledge of general animal-care principles and practices.
- Ability to stand for extended periods (8 hours a day), bend, and reach to perform assigned work.
- Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds without assistance.
- Ability to interact with impounded dogs, cats, and other animals, including vicious, stray, sick, or injured animals, and to handle exposure to animals that have been abused, neglected, or treated cruelly.
- Knowledge of common cat and dog illnesses and treatment options.
- Ability to administer vaccinations and medications.
- Ability to learn animal-management software systems and enter information accurately.
- Ability to work weekends.
- Means of travel that ensures prompt arrival for work shifts.
- Must pass a background check.
- At least three years of recent experience in veterinary practice or a medical environment, with increasing responsibilities.
Nice To Haves
- Education equivalent to two years of college in a pre-veterinary curriculum or technical school.
- Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT).
- Five years of recent experience in a veterinary practice, with increasing responsibilities.
- Registered Veterinary Technician credential is a plus.
- Certification in euthanasia may be required.
- Valid Georgia driver’s license may be required.
Responsibilities
- Direct and assist veterinary assistants, keeping them on task with technical and client-education duties.
- Recognize unusual situations, communicate them to the Clinic Manager, and recommend solutions.
- Ensure client call-backs are completed as directed.
- Explain hospital personnel policies and procedures to clients and technical staff when necessary.
- Maintain knowledge of federal and state animal-health laws and regulations, including OSHA, help ensure compliance, and report regulatory issues to the Clinic Manager.
- Recommend and discuss personnel matters and disciplinary actions with the Clinic Manager, and assist with follow-through.
- Provide input on employee performance and treat employees fairly in scheduling, coaching, and discipline.
- Direct on-the-job training of technical staff.
- Resolve informal employee complaints and mediate interpersonal problems among technical staff with the practice manager.
- Serve as liaison between staff and management.
- Respond promptly to requests for meetings, repairs, and supplies.
- Provide customer service to clients and visitors; greet clients and pets and gather medical histories before examinations and treatment.
- Communicate discharge instructions and answer owners’ questions about pet care.
- Examine animals for diseases, parasites, injuries, and other afflictions.
- Assist veterinarians with diagnostic examinations and medical procedures.
- Collect blood, urine, and stool samples as needed.
- Prepare animals for surgery and monitor their health during surgery and recovery.
- Under veterinary supervision, administer vaccinations and medications to shelter animals.
- Perform basic first aid on injured animals.
- Maintain clean and orderly medication and medical equipment; clean instruments and surfaces and wrap packs.
- Clean recovery and other clinic cages and crates as needed.
- Enter medical information, procedures, and notes into the software system.
- Support and engage volunteers who assist clinic teams.
- Support efficient clinic operations and exceptional customer service while respecting and celebrating individual diversity.
- Participate in LifeLine’s 40-hour annual training requirement.
- Perform other tasks as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
