Veterinary Assistant

County of DuPage•Wheaton, IL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

DuPage County Animal Services (DCAS), an immediate open-admission animal shelter caring for more than 2,300 animals of varying species annually, is hiring a Veterinary Assistant in its Animal Services Department. The role provides daily medical care and support for shelter animals and assists the shelter veterinarian and veterinary technician with examinations, diagnostics, treatments, and surgical procedures. It also involves maintaining medical records and supplies, supporting foster caregivers and shelter teams, and helping prepare animals for adoption. The position requires a high school diploma or GED and at least one year of veterinary-assistant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A valid Illinois driver’s license must be maintained. Veterinary Assistant certification from an accredited program is preferred. A pre-employment background check is required. This hands-on position is based in an animal shelter and veterinary-care environment. It involves frequent or constant exertion of up to 50 pounds and may expose employees to animal waste, loud noises, unpleasant odors, infectious and zoonotic diseases, injured, distressed, or fractious animals, emotionally challenging situations, bites, scratches, sharp objects, anesthetic gases, and X-ray irradiation within applicable OSHA standards. The position is eligible for a benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, a pension, a deferred compensation plan, tuition reimbursement, prepaid legal services, credit union access, and paid time off, including designated holidays or holiday pay when required to work.

Requirements

Completion of a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
One year of experience as a Veterinary Assistant, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential duties.
Possess and maintain in good standing a valid Illinois driver’s license.
Meet the physical demands of heavy work, including exerting up to 50 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
Complete a pre-employment background check.

Nice To Haves

Veterinary Assistant certification from an accredited program is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide daily medical care, treatment, medication administration, and monitoring for shelter animals, including supportive care for critical animals.
Observe animals and communicate medical and behavioral findings to the shelter veterinarian, including monitoring daily observation logs.
Assist the veterinarian and veterinary technician with examinations, diagnostics, treatments, and medical procedures.
Administer prescribed medications, vaccinations, microchips, and other treatments.
Clean and disinfect clinic areas, cages, surgical equipment, and animal transport devices.
Perform and assist with laboratory testing, including collecting and processing diagnostic samples and preparing samples for outside laboratory analysis.
Assist with spay/neuter and other surgical procedures, including anesthetic induction, aseptic preparation, and post-operative recovery; monitor patients and recognize potential complications.
Clean instruments, prepare surgical packs, and operate the autoclave.
Perform routine treatments such as wound care, bandage changes, ear cleaning, and nail trims within the scope of practice.
Monitor animals for illness, injury, pain, behavioral changes, and other medical concerns, and promptly report findings to the veterinarian.
Assist with animal intake examinations, health assessments, vaccinations, and adoption preparation.
Maintain accurate and timely medical, treatment, medication, and surgical records.
Follow infectious-disease prevention, isolation, sanitation, and shelter biosecurity protocols.
Handle and restrain animals safely and humanely using appropriate low-stress techniques.
Keep treatment, surgical, isolation, clinic, and animal-care areas clean, organized, and sanitary.
Maintain medical supplies in the surgery room, prep room, clinic, and clinic support areas.
Provide basic medical-care guidance to shelter staff, volunteers, foster caregivers, and adopters as appropriate.
Support foster animals through routine vaccinations and weight checks, maintaining the foster surgical schedule, and advising fosters about medical concerns and care.
Collaborate with animal-care, behavior, foster, adoption, and administrative teams to support positive animal outcomes.
Assist with emergency and urgent medical cases, including critical care such as fluid administration and CPR.
Participate in continuing education and remain current with shelter medicine and veterinary-care practices.
Maintain records such as drug and chemical labels, SDS binders, and controlled-substance logs; post appropriate animal-care signage.
Communicate medical inventory shortages and surpluses to the technician and veterinarian.
Complete adoption packets, including rabies certificates, state medical disclosures, medical records, microchip information, and booster information.
Transport animals to and from off-site veterinary hospitals or locations for diagnostics, medical care, or surgery.
Maintain regular attendance and punctuality.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Adjust work assignments and schedules as needed to participate in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities; depending on assignment, maintain required emergency-management training, licensure, or certifications.
Perform related duties as required or assigned within the job classification.