Veterinary Assistant

City of Farmington•Farmington, NM

31d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Farmington is seeking a Veterinary Assistant for the Farmington Animal Shelter. This temporary, full-time position works under the direct supervision of the Staff Veterinarian, RVT, and Lead Veterinary Assistant. The role involves assisting with daily surgical procedures, basic pet exams, animal restraint, post-operative patient recovery, and maintaining a clean and sterile environment for animals and staff. The position requires a high school diploma and a valid New Mexico driver's license. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of and concern for animals, excellent communication and organizational skills, and the ability to handle stressful situations and a high volume of surgical procedures.

Requirements

High school diploma
Ability to hear, understand, and execute directions from supervisors.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds onto a table with assistance.
Ability to work in direct contact with animals without experiencing allergy symptoms.
Ability to cope with euthanasias and medical deaths.
Knowledge and concern for animals.
Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, and public pet owners.
Ability to physically restrain animals for procedures with assistance when needed.
Ability to multitask and handle stressful situations.
Ability to handle high volume of daily surgical procedures.
A desire to learn and be open to constructive criticism regarding medical protocols and procedures.
Valid New Mexico driver's license with acceptable driving record for the past three years.
Must have a phone.
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize medical cases.
Self-motivated while being unsupervised.

Nice To Haves

Veterinary assistant experience and/or education

Responsibilities

Assists the Lead Veterinary Assistant and Veterinary Technician in daily set-up for all surgical procedures, including setting up hydro-warming blankets, heated exam tables, and replenishing stock.
Assists Lead Vet Assistant and Vet Tech in performing basic pet exams, including retrieving animals from kennels, weighing them, and returning them to their kennels.
Assists Lead Vet Assistant and Vet Tech in restraint, tranquilization, and preparation of animals for surgery.
Performs post-operative patient recovery, including administering pain injections, vaccinations, placing tattoos, wiping ears, and trimming toenails.
Lifts and moves animals post-op, takes temperatures, and removes endotracheal tubes.
Cleans and maintains kennels and surgical facility, including daily cleaning and disinfecting of kennels and surgery room, mopping floors, cleaning and sanitizing surgical instruments, and maintaining a clean and sterile triage area.
Assists in deep cleaning once a week as assigned.
Walks dogs outside as necessary and cleans/disinfects after any biological animal accidents/spills.
Maintains all surgical packs and drapes, including cleaning and sanitizing surgical instruments, creating surgical packs, and operating autoclaves.
Performs weekly and monthly maintenance on autoclaves.
Operates blood machines and runs blood samples for patients.
Transfers animals to and from the shelter and AMD, and to San Juan Vet Clinic for x-rays.
Assists in the process of euthanasia.
Assists shelter veterinarian with any necessary tasks or exams.
Demonstrates knowledge of and adherence to FRAS policies and procedures.
Ensures a safe work environment, follows all safety guidelines, and models safe work practices.
Takes immediate action to address any safety concerns that could put a staff member, volunteer, customer, animal or the organization at risk.
Follows direction of a contract veterinarian as well as the staff veterinarian.