Veterinary Assistant
1. Basic function of the position:
1.1. The Veterinary Assistant or RVT is responsible for providing high quality, humane
animal care while maintaining the highest standard of medical care for a busy shelter
clinic. The Shelter Medicine department is integral in the Humane Society's mission
to ensure that every animal receives protection, compassion, love, and care.
1.2. The Veterinary Assistant or RVT will be responsible for assisting with exams,
monitoring animals under anesthesia, recovering animals from anesthesia, delivering
treatments and vaccines to animals, restraining animals, and other tasks as needed.
2. Essential Job Functions:
2.1. Assist Veterinarians with examinations, treatments, anesthetic procedures, and
associated record keeping for all animal patients.
2.2. Administer oral and injectable medications, subcutaneous fluids, vaccinations, and
microchips.
2.3. Serve as liaison with other department managers to coordinate care of animals.
2.4. RVTs – prep animals for surgery, pre-med, induce and intubate, and monitor animals
while under anesthesia.
2.5. Veterinary Assistants – work with RVTs to prep animals for surgery, pre-med, induce
and intubate; monitor animals while under anesthesia and while recovering from
surgery.
2.6. Follow proper cleaning and sterilization of all surgical equipment, drapes, gowns, etc.
2.7. Assist with discharge of public surgery patients following spay/neuter surgery.
2.8. Return shelter animals to their cages, habitats and kennels following surgery.
2.9. Clean and disinfect surgery cages, kennels, and runs following surgery.
2.10. Mop floors, wash surgical laundry and towels, clean surgical suite, and shelter
medicine treatment room, and
2.11. Stock medical supplies in surgery and treatment areas ensuring that supplies are
organized and ready for the next day.
2.12. Monitor the health, safety, behavior and appearance of shelter animals and
reports observations that require medical care or other attention.
2.13. Clean and disinfect animal areas as necessary to maintain a safe and sanitary
environment.
2.14. Assist with euthanasia in accordance with Humane Society’s policies & Ohio
laws.
3. Minimum Qualifications:
3.1. Knowledge of monitoring equipment.
3.2. Knowledge of medications including controlled drugs.
3.3. Strong interpersonal skills.
3.4. Promote a positive attitude among staff.
3.5. Provide excellent customer service both internally and externally.
3.6. Be willing and available to stay late or through breaks as needed, to assist with
emergency or critical patients.
3.7. Ability to work independently as well as a member of a team.
3.8. Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
3.9. Required Ohio license as RVT or qualifying time in vet med as vet assistant.
4. Knowledge and Skills:
4.1. Always be in position and prepared to work at the start of each scheduled shift.
4.2. Promote a positive attitude among staff and assist other employees as needed.
4.3. Show respect for team members and animals (alive or deceased) at all times.
4.4. Manage stress and pressure with poise while working in a high pace working
environment.
4.5. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records.
4.6. Maintain a pleasant, professional, courteous, and tactful position with co-workers
and the public always.
4.7. Actively support and promote the mission and goals of the Humane Society
ensuring a positive image, enhancing the operation of the organization, and
improving the quality of life for animals.
5. Working Conditions:
5.1. The employee is working in a shelter environment and will be exposed to moderately
loud noise levels (such as barking dogs, ringing phones), cleaning agents, bites,
scratches, and animal waste. There is possible exposure to zoonotic diseases.
6. Additional duties:
6.1. Assist in the cleaning of kennels when needed.
6.2. Conduct on the spot corrections of actions that disrupt medical procedures or could
cause hard.
6.3. Leason between medical staff, DVM of record and management.
6.4. The above stated information is representative of the work performed in this position;
however, it is not all-inclusive. The omission of a specific duty or responsibility does
not exclude it from the position if the work is like or related to the essential duties and
responsibilities.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Registered in the state of Ohio as a Registered Veterinary Technician or have related
experience.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work well with others, handle challenges
with diplomacy, and integrate into a high-functioning team.
Clear oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate positively,
respectfully, and professionally with staff, volunteers, and members of the public.
Personal commitment to animal welfare
Proficiency with computers and ability to learn new electronic medical records with
ease.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Previous work in an animal shelter setting or veterinary clinic.
Demonstrable ability to utilize Fear-Free techniques when handling animals.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Must be able to stand, walk, sit, talk, hear, and see, stoop, bend, squat, kneel, grasp,
put fingers together firmly and reach above and below shoulder level and lift; push, or
pull 50 pounds for situation of restraining or moving animals and lifting supplies,
material and equipment.
repetitively use hands to move animals around, operate computers; flex the neck
upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist.
Appropriately and humanely restrain cats and dogs; control dogs on a leash; work
with a variety of animals in multiple settings both in and out of the clinic/shelter.
Individuals will have extended periods of 4 to 6 hours of performing moderately
strenuous activities, standing, lifting, stretching, and bending.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential functions.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $15.00 - $19.00 per hour
Expected hours: 30 – 40 per week
Benefits:
Employee discount
Flexible schedule
Paid time off
Schedule:
8 hour shift
Evenings as needed
Monday to Friday
Weekends as needed
Work Location: In person