Veterinary Assistant/Veterinary Services Representative

Job Details

Job Location: Joybound - Walnut Creek, CA

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $23.00 - $38.00 Hourly

Description

Position Summary:

Provides high quality medical care to animals, assists veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians with spay and neuter examinations and medical procedures, both mobile and on site. Facilitates and executes procedures prescribed by the doctor. Helps clients check in and out of the Clinic, both mobile and on site at Joybound, answers phone lines, schedules appointments, and perform data entry.

Principal Duties:

• Handle all animals humanely, properly and with compassion, including those that may be sick or injured.

• Under the supervision of a veterinarian, prepare patients for surgery and assist in surgery.

• Assist veterinarians in examining, handling and treating patients.

• Administer first aid treatments and medications to sick and injured animals as directed by the veterinarians as well as providing water and proper diet for all animals under veterinary care.

• Admit and release animals from the department in a responsive, courteous and tactful manner and inform the client of any pertinent medical information on the animal's care; assist invoicing clients upon release of the animals.

• Check the general health of animals being admitted and to assist in the vaccination and treatment of animals.

• Monitor the conditions of all animals housed at Joybound, notifying the veterinarian of any conditions which might warrant their attention.

• Perform venipuncture and laboratory tests.

• Maintain patient records by accurately recording treatments and test results on patient charts and other medical records.

• Answer phone lines for the clinic.

• Schedule appointments for the Joybound Emergency Medical Fund (EMF) clients and public Spay/Neuter appointments, including mobile Spay/Neuter services.

• Data entry of treatments done for Joybound Shelter Guests, the Joybound EMF and public/mobile Spay/Neuter clients.

• Receive money from the Joybound EMF and public/mobile Spay/Neuter clients; reconcile clinic receipts from the Joybound EMF, public Spay/Neuter and any over the counter food. Create invoices for the Joybound EMF and public/mobile spay/neuters.

• Assist in maintaining healthy, safe, sanitary, pleasant and clean facilities for the animals under the care of the Veterinary Clinic at all times.

• Assist Joybound personnel whenever necessary to assure smooth, courteous handling of the public and their pets.

• Assist as needed, in the maintenance and inventory of the hospital pharmacy, and the requisitioning and ordering of drugs and hospital treatment supplies.

• Follow established procedures governing safe work practices including, but not limited to, wearing protective clothing and/or equipment when necessary. Must attend all designated safety training sessions and read all safety literature handouts.

• Must be able to perform duties independently with minimal or no direct supervision. Perform duties in a manner which encourages attainment of goals, contributions and business for Joybound programs.

• Will be expected to perform euthanasia of animals who are sick or who do not meet Joybound's adoption criteria under the direction of the Veterinary Services Administrator with the supervision of the veterinarian; training will be provided.

General:

• Always treat people and animals with respect; to contribute to effective teamwork; to promote intra- and inter-departmental cooperation; and, to foster public relations beneficial to Joybound and its programs.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Physical Requirements:

• Work environment includes constant exposure to animals and animal allergens.

• Lift and move objects and animals weighing up to 40 pounds for short distances and to humanely restrain animals when necessary.

• Kneel, bend, stoop, squat, reach, grasp and turn objects, stand, and/or walk frequently and repetitively throughout each shift.

• Tetanus and rabies inoculations are required or must be waived.

• Push/pull moderately heavy objects up to 25 pounds.

• Assess medical and behavior changes in animals using a variety of techniques including, but not limited to, visually and audibly.

• Dexterity to handle animals and small objects.

• Sit for long and short periods of time using a computer.

• Provide after-hours support to ARF's foster families via the stand by Joybound phone. Will occasionally be assigned to carry and after-hours phone for a week at a time.

Educational Requirements

High School Diploma

Experience, Abilities and Qualities Required:

• Minimum 1 year experience as a veterinary assistant or a receptionist in a veterinary clinic, or animal shelter environment.

• Experience working in a high-volume, high-quality Spay/Neuter environment strongly preferred.

• Experience in caring for and handling animals in a safe, effective and humane manner, especially larger and possibly untrained pets.

• Experience in preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic veterinary treatment of domestic animals.

• Proficient in venipuncture, medication administration, and giving injections (IV, SQ, IM) as well as IV catheter placement.

• Proficient in basic drug and fluid calculations.

• Proficiency using Microsoft software programs (Word, Excel, Access) and veterinary software.

• Must be able to learn and understand commonly used medical abbreviations.

• Accommodate varied work assignments and schedules.

• Provide leadership, supervision and direction to volunteers.

• Communicate skillfully and effectively with a culturally diverse staff, volunteers and community in a professional, pleasant, respectful, courteous and tactful manner at all times.

• Maturity, good judgment and professional personal appearance including the wearing of neat and clean uniforms.

• Must have a valid California Driver's License and must not have more than two at-fault incidents in a three-year period and no major at-fault violations in the last ten years, and must be insured. Must follow safe driving practices obeying all traffic laws at all times when operating an Joybound vehicle such as the mobile clinic.

• Affection for animals, concern for their welfare and a willingness to accommodate animals in the work place.

• Must be eligible and able to obtain the Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substance Permit (VACSP) from the California Veterinary Medical Board.

• Familiarity with contemporary shelter maintenance techniques and accepted sanitary practices.

• Knowledge of various breeds and their characteristics and familiarity with symptoms of diseases common to dogs and cats.

• A pre-employment background screening is required.

Hours:

Full Time including weekend and/or holiday work. Daily reporting hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department. Weekend work will be required.