Kennel Attendant

At our practice, we’re proud to invest in the education and growth of our team. In the past year, four of our dedicated team members passed their Veterinary Technician National Examination and earned their RVT license. Additionally, this is our second year having a Veterinary Assistant be accepted into veterinary school...which brings us to why we are hiring! We have promoted our Kennel Attendant to a Veterinary Assistant and are looking to hire for that open Kennel Attendant position.

We are looking for one part time team member to join our team. If you love to clean and love to be around animals, this may be the job for you.

Approximately 80% of this position is cleaning of the hospital. You must be comfortable cleaning toilets, sweeping, mopping, cleaning up urine and feces, etc. all throughout your shift and in front of others. You must be comfortable asking questions, even when that means you have to interrupt a fellow co-worker to ask it.

Schedule: Monday through Friday 1:00p-7:15p with a 30 minute lunch break. Every third weekend and Holiday split shift. Split shift consist of coming in from 7a to 10 or 11a then coming back from 5p to 7 or 8p.

Job Title: Kennel Attendant

Introduction:

The purpose of this position is to provide for the daily care and basic needs of animals that are being boarded and that are patients of the Atwater-Merced Veterinary Clinics, Inc. This includes but is not limited to, feeding, watering, cleaning, walking, bathing, medicating, and monitoring the wellbeing of dogs, cats and, occasionally, other companion animals, extensive cleaning of the hospital and hospital grounds. This position requires a love of animals and the ability to warmly welcome and compassionately care for a wide variety of pets.

Kennel team members use excellent communication and client-service skills to admit and discharge pets and reassure nervous clients that their pets will be well cared for. Kennel team members demonstrate professional and courteous behavior toward clients and coworkers while handling multiple tasks, even during many interruptions.

Kennel team members empathize with clients and remain compassionate and well-mannered if a client becomes emotional or discourteous. They strongly believe in the quality of care provided and communicate this sense of assurance to clients. Kennel team members understand services and health recommendations for boarders and clearly communicate them to clients when admitting pets.

Kennel team members understand the importance of janitorial work in the hospital. Keeping counters, windows, window blinds, equipment, toilets, walls, etc. clean and dust free play an important roll in keeping our facility disease and odor free.

Job Summary:

Under direction of the Lead Kennel and/or Veterinary Assistant/Technician, Assistant Manager and Practice Manager.

Maintain a constant cleanliness of cages, runs and ward areas and the proper feeding and care of all hospitalized and boarding animals. To provide janitorial needs for Atwater-Merced Veterinary Clinics, Inc.

Main Duties:

The following duties will be performed by the kennel attendant as well as other duties directed by the Lead, Doctor or Management:

· To observe animal appearance and activity for general physical condition, obvious signs of illness, disease and discontent.

· To thoroughly clean and disinfect the ward areas and all areas of the hospital as often as is necessary (i.e. to ensure no cages, kennels or litter boxes are soiled and odors are not apparent).

· To determine the type and amount of food and water animals receive and consume.

· To take charge and/or handle animals as required and to help restrain hard to control animals.

· To walk hospitalized and boarded dogs several times a day to provide exercise and time for elimination of bowels and bladder.

· To groom and provide Tender Loving Care to boarded and hospitalized animals.

· Provide general care for hospitalized/boarding animals housed/visiting Atwater-Merced Veterinary Clinics, Inc.

· Apply knowledge of normal food and liquid requirements of animals. As needed, provide special food and liquids. Feeds each animal as prescribed by the attending veterinarian and records appetites.

· Discharge and admit animals for boarding; assure animals being discharged have been checked by veterinary technician and/or veterinarian when necessary. Make sure animals are clean and fresh smelling prior to discharge.

· Make sure cages and animals are properly numbered and identified and that personal property (toys, treats, blankets, leashes) are stored in the proper area and identified.

· Clean and disinfect kennels, cages, runs and stalls. Wash and sterilize water and food bowls. Wash and dry towels, blankets, doctor’s work clothing items, animal bedding and surgical laundry.

· Perform janitorial duties throughout the clinic, inside and out.

· Patrol hospital grounds daily, picking up any trash, debris and stool material.

· Groom animals utilizing techniques that vary depending on type of hair, coat, breed and owner instructions. Bathe and dry animals. As required, perform pedicures.

· Administer medications, including injections under direction of veterinarians.

· Observe special instructions on cages cards and/or AviMark file and boarding report sheets. Update Avimark and boarding report cards. Record medications, treatments and observations in animal’s medical records and AviMark.

· Gives baths (ordinary cleansing, flea, medicated) and does whatever grooming as may be necessary to the treatment and constant cleanliness of each animal, enter appropriate charges into AviMark. Recognizes and record any unusual condition or abnormal behavior of any hospitalized animal. Report signs of illness, disease, injury or unusual activity to veterinary technicians/veterinarians.

· Assists veterinarians and veterinary technicians and assistants, customer service representatives and management with needed tasks.

Have excellent client care and communication.

Other Duties:

· Assist veterinarians as needed.

· Assist Veterinary Technicians and Assistants as needed.

· Assists Customer Services Representatives

· Assist clients.

· Any other duties requested and/or directed by veterinarians, leads or management.

QUALIFICATIONS:

· Must pass pre-employment drug testing.

· Must be qualified to obtain a VACSP.

· Must follow core values.

· Must have a love for animals.

· Must have excellent verbal skills.

· Must have good people skills.

· Must be able to work in fast-paced environment.

· Able to work well with others as a team.

· Must have dependable transportation.

· Must be able to work weekend and Holiday rotation.

· Must be able to follow directions both written and oral.

· Must be able to work unsupervised and be a self-starter.

· Good organizational and cleanliness.

· Must be able efficiently multi-task with a stress-free ability.

· Must be proactive and keep busy.

· Must be able to work unscheduled over time.

· Must be able to sit, stand and walk for longer periods of time and use hands in repetitive motions.

· Will not complain or vent unless complaining or venting to someone that can address the issue. Will do best to bring a resolution along with the complaint.

· Direct and honest communicator.

Working Conditions:

· Work is normally performed inside; some outside work is required.

· Exposure to unpleasant odors and noises.

· Exposure to bites, scratches and animal wastes. Must be able to clean cat litter boxes.

· Possible exposure to contagious diseases.

· Standing, bending, squatting and repetitive motions throughout shift.

Knowledge Of:

· Cleaning and disinfecting methods and the use and care of cleaning materials and equipment.

· Apply knowledge and skills in controlling/handling individual animal temperament. Have ability to gain animal confidence when restraining them for transport, grooming and/or treatment.

· Janitorial needs to keep a business clean and odor free.

Ability To:

· Use cleaning materials and equipment with skill and efficiency.

· Sympathetically and patiently treat animals.

· Must be attentive to patients’ needs at all times and make sure patients are as comfortable as possible.

· Learn to administer medications and recognize abnormal conditions.

· Understand and carry out oral and written directions.

· Maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

· Must be reliable and able to work without supervision.

· Be a direct and honest communicator while remaining professional in the workplace.

Physical Effort:

· Perform moderately heavy physical labor; Often requires lifting and carrying materials weighing up to 50 lbs. Frequently requires handling of materials up to 50 lbs. Additionally, handle dogs weighing up to 200 lbs. Walking and/or standing for long periods. Frequently works in a bent position. May be required to use strength or agility in capturing and restraining stronger, more active animals.

Reporting Structure: Reports to Lead Technician/Assistant, Assistant Manager and Practice Manager

Hourly wage starts at: $16.50 per hour

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $16.50 - $17.50 per hour

Expected hours: 28 – 36 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Employee discount
• Health insurance

Shift:

• 4 hour shift
• Evening shift

Work Days:

• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Rotating weekends

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17 - $18