Veterinary Assistant, Anesthesia, Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine: UTIA

University of Tennessee•Knoxville, TN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The College of Veterinary Medicine invites applicants to apply for the position of Veterinary Assistant, located within the Anesthesia service of the Small Animal Clinical Sciences department. The day-to-day responsibilities of a veterinary assistant are varied and essential to the overall well-being of animals under their care. The primary purpose of this position is to provide quality care for patients and/or research animals by performing a variety of functions including but not limited to feeding, bathing, exercising, record keeping, restraint, and/or equipment operation. Provides cleaning and disinfection, stocks supply, and collects and disperses laundry.

Requirements

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must have a valid driver's license.
High School Diploma or Equivalent
No experience required (for Veterinary Assistant 1)
6 months of relevant experience working with small animals, including but not limited to dogs, cats, birds, and rodents (for Veterinary Assistant 2)
2 years of relevant experience working with small animals including but not limited to dogs, cats, birds, and rodents (for Senior Veterinary Assistant 1)
4 years of relevant experience working with small animals including but not limited to dogs, cats, birds, and rodents (for Senior Veterinary Assistant 2)
Basic knowledge of small animal care, behavior, monitoring, and handling (for Veterinary Assistant 1)
Intermediate knowledge of small animal care, behavior, monitoring, and handling (for Veterinary Assistant 2)
Advanced knowledge of small animal care, behavior, monitoring, and handling (for Senior Veterinary Assistant 1)
Expert knowledge of small animal care, behavior, monitoring, and handling (for Senior Veterinary Assistant 2)
Basic knowledge of and ability to use common hospital equipment (for Veterinary Assistant 1)
Intermediate knowledge of and ability to use common hospital equipment (for Veterinary Assistant 2)
Advanced knowledge of and ability to use common hospital equipment (for Senior Veterinary Assistant 1)
Expert knowledge of and ability to use common hospital equipment (for Senior Veterinary Assistant 2)
Knowledge of general sanitation and disinfection protocols (for Veterinary Assistant 1, 2)
Advanced knowledge of general sanitation and disinfection protocols (for Senior Veterinary Assistant 1)
Advanced knowledge of general sanitation and disinfection protocols (for Senior Veterinary Assistant 2)
Good Computer skills.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Strong observation skills.
Ability to lift and restrain small animals.
Ability to multi-task.
Ability to follow directions and work with a diverse population.
Ability to adhere to safety and training procedures.
Ability to work under stressful or demanding conditions.
Ability to assist with treatment and sample collection (for Veterinary Assistant 2 and above)
Knowledge of Bio Security procedures and hospital/isolation protocols (for Senior Veterinary Assistant 1 and 2)
Ability to monitor animal conditions and behaviors (for Senior Veterinary Assistant 1 and 2)
Ability to train and supervise others (for Senior Veterinary Assistant 1 and 2)
Knowledge of USDA, AAALAC, and AVMA regulatory guidelines (for Senior Veterinary Assistant 2)
Ability to identify safety risks when handling small animals (for Senior Veterinary Assistant 2)
Ability to make sound decisions (for Senior Veterinary Assistant 2)
Ability to supervise staff (for Senior Veterinary Assistant 2)
Delegation and problem-solving skills (for Senior Veterinary Assistant 2)

Nice To Haves

Experience working with small animals, including but not limited to dogs, cats, birds, and rodents preferred (for Veterinary Assistant 1)

Responsibilities

Performs animal restraint on various small animal species for physical exams and medical procedures, such as blood draws, urine collection, blood pressures, and injections.
Prepares cages and runs with bedding, water, and other supplies.
Feeds diets as prescribed to admitted patients.
Creates and/or provides enrichment devices and activities.
Exercises patients, using special care.
Records daily observations on cage cards.
Assists in the admittance and discharge of patients.
Performs bathing or grooming as needed.
Cleans and disinfects animal quarters, treatment rooms, and other areas as needed.
Unpacks and unloads supplies and places items in appropriate areas.
Provides laundry collection and dispersement.