Veterinary Assistant (Hourly)

City of Chula Vista•Chula Vista, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The position will assist the Veterinarian and the Registered Veterinary Technician as needed, both in surgery and with shelter medicine responsibilities. The incumbent will ensure that the veterinary office and other medical areas, as well as equipment are cleaned and properly disinfected and in good working order; monitor the health of animals in the shelter, provide care and treatment to sick and injured animals and prepare animals for veterinary care and spay/neuter surgery. This is a part-time, non-benefited position limited to 919 hours of employment in a fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) with an average of less than 30 service hours per work week. Hours may vary between 0 - 16 hours per week, dependent upon the daily staffing needs of the department. Unclassified hourly employees are paid on an hourly basis and shall not be eligible for benefits nor be subject to Civil Service Rules. Although hourly employees are at-will, they are still subject to all City policies and procedures.

Requirements

One (1) year of related experience in a veterinary hospital, veterinary clinic or an animal care facility.
Training equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in animal care.
Knowledge of animal breeds, characteristics and diseases; animal behavior; preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic veterinary treatment of domestic animals; clinic or shelter maintenance techniques and accepted sanitary practices; symptoms of diseases common to dogs and cats; animal care, feeding and handling methods and techniques; applicable laws, codes, ordinances and regulations; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; computer equipment and software applications related to assignment.
Ability to identify problems or patient conditions (medical and behavioral) that need to be brought to the attention of the Veterinarian or Registered Veterinary Technician.
Ability to work with minimum supervision or direction.
Ability to properly handle and care for animals.
Ability to clean and disinfect shelter enclosures, cages and other related operational equipment or areas.
Ability to distinguish between healthy and ill animals.
Ability to keep simple records.
Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes rotating weekends is required.
Ability to work special events as directed.
Ability to operate computer equipment and software applications related to assignment.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Ability to work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.

Responsibilities

Properly clean and disinfect the veterinary office and the isolation room including cages, floors, dishes, bedding and other items.
Monitor the health of the animals on an ongoing basis and rapidly identify any health problems or conditions and immediately report it to the Veterinarian or the Registered Veterinary Technician.
Medicate animals as directed.
Monitor pre and post surgery animals for any complications during recovery.
Perform in-hospital lab tests such as FELV/FIV, Heartworm and Parvo tests.
Provide treatment and care for animals including vaccinations, bandaging, nail clipping, ear cleaning, and other minor medical procedures as directed by the Veterinarian and/or Registered Veterinary Technician.
Assist in evaluation of animals on the euthanasia list.
Euthanize animals by injection in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Dispose of diseased and unclaimed animals.
Maintain treatment records and test results on medical history reports and other logs.
Maintain inventory of medications and treatment supplies.
Clean medical equipment and dishes, wash windows, clean floors and mop as needed.
Provide a healthy, safe, clean and pleasant environment for the animals housed in medical areas.
Answer citizen inquiries and provide shelter information to the public.
Assist with adoptions.
Work cooperatively with other staff members.
Perform related duties as assigned.