Veterinary Assistant - Animal Shelter

Animal Friends Alliance•Fort Collins, CO

4h•Onsite

About The Position

The Veterinary Assistant provides safe, efficient and humane standards of care for dogs and cats receiving treatment in Animal Friends Alliance clinic(s). This position requires learning a wide range of policies and procedures and use of independent judgment and training to take appropriate actions with standard situations.

Requirements

One year of experience caring for animals
Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, or equivalent experience.
One year experience working in a veterinary clinic/shelter setting as a veterinary technician.
Knowledge of Google Suite, including Gmail and Google Drive.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel
Effective verbal and interpersonal skills for in-person, written and telephone communication, for interaction with the public and colleagues.
Excellent organizational skills.
High level of professionalism.
Emotional intelligence, work ethics and integrity.
Strong computer skills.
Detail-oriented.
Able to safely handle animals.
Able to distinguish symptoms of common illnesses in shelter animals.
Able to safely medicate animals.
Able to give SQ, IM & IV injections to animals.
Able to perform TPR on animals.
Able to perform venipuncture on animals.
Able to induce animals for anesthesia.
Able to monitor anesthesia.
Able to recover animals post-surgery.
Able to lead other technicians through a day of multiple surgeries.
Able to perform humane euthanasia under a veterinarian’s guidance.
Able to prioritize duties and perform multiple tasks.
Able to work in a high-stress, fast-paced environment.
Able to learn, retain and communicate a wide variety of information.
Ability to read, speak and write English
Ability to control emotions
Ability to cultivate and project a positive attitude in the work setting, and when representing Animal Friends Alliance in public.
Ability to work with controlled substances
Ability to handle stress

Nice To Haves

Additional $1/hour for DORA-issued RVT
Two years of veterinary medical care and animal handling in a fast-paced environment
Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology.
Two years experience working in a veterinary clinic/shelter setting as a veterinary technician.

Responsibilities

Receives animals and assists with initial examination including TPR.
Clearly identifies animals and animal belongings when staying at the clinic for procedures.
Administers indicated vaccines or treatments, conducts frequent health evaluations and administers emergency first-aid when necessary.
Induces, monitors, and recovers animals receiving procedures under anesthesia.
Leads surgeries as assigned which includes but is not limited to setting the pace for the veterinarian and providing direction to Technician Assistants.
Initiates emergency procedures as needed, including CPR, on animals.
Cleans kennels and performs related housekeeping duties.
Cleans, disinfects and stores equipment used in and around the clinic.
Maintains proper inventory levels of cleaning and other supplies. Informs supervisor when reordering is necessary.
Accurately dispenses and records all controlled drugs used per local, state and federal regulations.
Ensures that morning/closing checklists are done accurately and completed as assigned.
Oversees and trains volunteers and interns working directly with the veterinary technicians.
Upon direction from the supervising veterinarian, communicate any health concerns about a patient to the owner.
Assists other shelter staff with intakes.
Treats animals humanely, with compassion and concern, both on and off the job, and conveys these values to others, in word and action.
Represents Animal Friends Alliance in a professional and courteous manner at all times.
Provides quality service to customers, volunteers, and staff, recognizing their individual contributions to Animal Friends Alliance. Monitors, supports, motivates and champions volunteers and their work.
Solicits monetary and in-kind donations by raising awareness of the organization's work, goals, and financial needs.
Follows all safety rules to ensure a safe work environment at all times. Takes immediate action to address any safety concerns or noncompliance issues that could put an animal, employee, volunteer, visitor, or the organization at risk.
Learns basic duties of other departments, and supports other departments and staff.
Monitors, supports, motivates and accredits volunteers and their work.
Understands and operates by Animal Friends Alliance’s core values.
Regular and timely presence onsite.