Veterinary Assistant

JOB OPENING

CITY OF FARMINGTON

JOB POSTING #25: VETERINARY ASSISTANT

NUMBER OF VACANCIES: 1

DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs

WORK LOCATION: Farmington Animal Shelter

HIRING RANGE: $17.2120 to $26.8026/hour

PAY GRADE: "G"

TYPE OF POSITION: Regularly, Full-Time

DAYS WORKED: Monday through Friday

HOURS WORKED: 8:00am to 5:00pm

APPLICATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED UNTIL: Until Filled, First Review in Two Weeks

JOB DUTIES

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Works under the direct supervision of the shelter veterinarian and/or license veterinary technician.

Ability to assist licensed veterinary technician and/or shelter veterinarian with preparing facility and animals for surgeries. To include but not limited to: assisting with setting up all areas of the surgery suite, assisting with physical exams, drawing up medications, readying the surgery prep and/or recovery area, and other tasks as designated and expected.

Ability to assist in all areas as needed during surgeries. To include but not limited to: assisting to induce animals, prep them for surgery, monitor them during surgery and recover the animals safely after surgery.

Understanding of sterile and aseptic techniques for assisting the licensed veterinary technician and the shelter veterinarian as needed for surgeries, exams, and procedures. Must be able to identify the difference between them and understand when is appropriate for sterile versus aseptic technique.

Ability to safely restrain animals for surgery prep, exams, etc. Knowledge of safe restraint techniques to prevent injury and/or undue stress to both staff and animals.

Understanding of surgical items, what they are used for, and how to properly clean the instruments and prepare them for their next use.

Knowledge and understanding of how to put together and wrap surgery packs prior to autoclaving them. Understanding of how to use an autoclave and when a pack is or is not sterilized properly.

Ability to place IV catheters, administer medications via prescribed routes (IM, IV, PO, SQ, etc.), administer fluids by calculating correct fluid rates as prescribed.

Understanding and ability to perform diagnostic tests with appropriate equipment and communicate the results accurately to the shelter veterinarian.

Ability and knowledge to respond to animal medical emergencies under the guidance and supervision of the shelter veterinarian and the licensed veterinary technician.

Ability to read prescriptions and dispense medications according to verbal and/or written instructions. Ability to understand and comply with local, state and federal drug laws.

Ability to multitask and coordinate several procedures simultaneously as directed by the shelter veterinarian and/or licensed vet technician.

Must have excellent customer service skills and ability to communicate medical information effectively to both staff and public.

Ability to train assistants and Animal Medical Department volunteers to maintain medical equipment and medical facilities.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Demonstrate knowledge of and adherence to FRAS policies and procedures.

Ensure a safe work environment, follow all safety guidelines, and model safe work practices.

Take immediate action to address any safety concerns that could put a staff member, volunteer, customer, animal or the organization at risk.

Follow direction of staff veterinarian and licensed veterinary technician.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statement of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

QUALIFICATIONS

This position is subject to the City of Farmington's Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy which included: pre-employment testing, post-accident testing, random testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return to duty testing, and follow-up testing.

Two years minimum veterinary assistant experience.

Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record for the past three years.

Excellent communication skills.

Excellent organizational skills with ability to multitask and prioritize medical cases.

Must be self-motivated while being unsupervised.

Ability to lift up to 50 pounds of animal onto a surgical table with assistance.

Ability to cope with emotional stress of euthanasia and medical deaths.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers, supervisors and the public.

Ability to work under stressful situations and handle them appropriately and effectively.

Ability to meet deadlines.

Ability to exercise sound judgement in evaluating situations and in making decisions.

Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and directions as set forth by the shelter veterinarian and/or the licensed veterinary technician.

Commitment to mission, values, goals, and success of the FRAS with compassion and genuine affection for animals.

This position has the responsibility to participate in and comply with the City's Environmental, Health, and Safety program.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Animal capture equipment, police radio, first aid equipment, catch poles, leashes, gloves, cleaning materials in shelter maintenance and disinfecting including chlorine bleach and hydrogen peroxide. Medical equipment such as gas anesthesia, apnea monitor, recovery equipment, needles and syringes, surgery tables and lights, blood chemistry machines, microscope, otoscope, stethoscope, dental instruments and ultrasonic scaler, IV equipment.

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 the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. Reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Ability to use a computer.

Ability to work around animals without severe allergic reactions.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently will need to walk quickly and communicate with coworkers in a high noise environment. The employee will be exposed to noxious odors, animal blood, urine, feces, saliva and may encounter zoonotic diseases such as ring worm, leptospirosis, tick-borne diseases, coccidiosis, mange, helicobacter, campylobacter, rabies, and brucellosis.

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, M/F/D/V.

Salary : $17 - $27