JOB DESCRIPTION    

Our Clinic Veterinary Technicians and Assistants support the comfort and well-being of animals receiving medical care at McKamey Animal Center and assist with all daily activities of the MAC’s in-house veterinary clinic. The successful applicant will participate in all daily MAC veterinary clinic operations, including spay/neuter surgeries, TNR, diagnosis/treatment of ill or injured animals, check-in/check-out of surgical patients, making appointments, support of community vaccine/microchip clinics and more. While the majority of clinic functions take place at MAC during regular operating hours, this position may be assigned to support other supplemental clinic programs like vaccination clinics, mass surgery days, etc.  The successful candidate will have the technical expertise to support the work of a high volume spay neuter clinic, the ability to project a professional and positive demeanor even in a high stress environment, and the drive to support MAC in its lifesaving work each and every day. 

SALARY AND SCHEDULE

• Hourly Rate: Dependent upon experience      
• Schedule: Center surgeries are performed Monday through Friday, but animal care is needed 7 days a week; additional hours for Center events are scheduled as needed.
• Benefits: Medical, dental, holidays, retirement plan

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES (includes, but not limited to):

• Perform daily veterinary clinic activities including preparation of animals for surgery, assisting veterinarians during surgery, monitoring the condition of animals after surgery, transporting animals back to their respective cages or kennels after surgery, and assisting the public with animal intake/discharge, appointment scheduling and more.
• Deliver excellent customer service when dealing with the public, other staff and supervisors.
• Work directly with the Center’s veterinarians to assure the safety and health of animals in the Center and ensure that all procedures are performed in a highly efficient and effective manner.
• Provide assistance with evaluations/management of medical needs of animals in the Center.
• Assist in treatment of Center animals by performing and documenting routine health checks, including drawing and processing diagnostic work; identifying, properly documenting and treating common medical conditions, as prescribed by a veterinarian; and properly assessing and following written protocols for ill/injured animals while providing supportive care.
• Provide routine and health care for animals under Clinic supervision, keeping daily logs of medical treatment for each animal, ensuring daily treatments are completed as prescribed, monitoring progress of treatment and bring needed rechecks to the attention of appropriate staff.
• Maintain proper record keeping for all animals treated within the Clinic.
• Ensure overall sanitation of the clinic, including medical/surgery suite, prep area and equipment.
• Assist with medical supply inventory and re-stock medical treatment areas as needed.
• Provide support for off-site medical activities, including vaccine clinics, etc., as assigned.
• Ensure highest standards of professionalism and customer service whenever interacting with others.
• Perform humane euthanasia in accordance with shelter standards, as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications and Skills

• Qualified individuals must be trained, experienced or educated in surgical support (ideally spay/neuter surgery).
• Strong animal handling skills and demonstrated understanding of basic animal health, care and welfare issues.
• Computer savvy.
• Ability to maintain composure in an often stressful and emotional work environment.
• Ability to make sound judgments and work independently and in a team setting in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Proven organizational skills and attention to detail, and effective record keeping ability.
• Ability to relate to and confer with Veterinarians, shelter leadership, co-workers and the general public in a positive and constructive manner at all times; ability to exercise good judgment when dealing with the public and when making decisions in the absence of leadership.

Education and Experience Required

• High School diploma required.
• Minimum of 2 years of work experience in a veterinary clinic, animal shelter or similar entity.
• Prior Veterinary Assistant or Veterinary Technician experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency in animal medical care, including drawing blood, administering vaccinations and medications, and safely securing animals for veterinary procedures.
• Fear free certification highly desirable.
• Must be at least 21 years of age (required for insurance purposes); valid driver’s license and insurable driving record.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Potential for standing/walking/bending up to eight to ten (8-10) hours a day.
• Must be able to performing physical tasks like animal restraint, physical examinations of animals, scrubbing cages, cleaning floors and more.
• Must be proficient in handling syringes and needles.
• Must have quick reflexes and ability to use both hands simultaneously (example: open cage door while handling animal, react to escaping animal).
• Occasional lifting of up to a hundred (100) pounds with assistance.
• Ability to bend and squat in order to leash/harness, and/or pick up an animal.
• Ability to see well enough to move safely around the building, distinguish animal body language, read instructions, and read an animal’s paperwork.
• Ability to hear if an animal is giving warning signs, such as growling, yelping or hissing.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally.
• Ability to cope with a very loud environment due to animal noises.
• Must not have strong allergies to dogs, cats or other companion animals that can’t be managed by medication, or to chemicals used in grooming or cleaning. Must not be highly allergic to peanut butter.
• Ability to deal with strong and unpleasant odors and feces.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Exposure to high noise levels, zoonotic diseases, and animal bites/scratches when handling animals.
• Exposure to all weather conditions when outdoors.

McKamey Animal Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We reserve the right conduct criminal background checks and requires drug testing of all employment candidates.