Veterinary Assistant

Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 8AM-6PM

Reports to Clinic Supervisor; works closely with Clinic Manager, Veterinary technicians, and Veterinarians.

Responsible for assisting with client and animal check-in and discharge, assisting with animal handling for exams/procedures, assisting with daily cleaning responsibilities.

Essential Job Functions:

Provides assistance to Community Clinic, RVT’s, and Veterinarians

• Keeps all clinic areas orderly, stocked and cleaned following disinfection protocol; responsible for maintaining sterile environment
• Cleans surgical instruments; wraps and sterilizes surgery packs
• Maintains veterinary equipment in good working condition
• Maintains laundry by cleaning, folding, and putting away to designated areas
• Required to cross-train between Clinic sub-departments
• Follows all safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment. Takes immediate action to address any safety concern or noncompliance of safety rules that could put an employee, volunteer, client, animal, or the organization at risk
• Supports the APL’s desire to celebrate a diverse and inclusive culture that fuels the compassion that connects us to one another.

Animal Care and Surgery Flow

• Assists RVTs and Veterinarians with pre-surgical preparations, including physical exams
• Safely retrieves and restrains animals for surgeries, exams, tasks, and verifies
• Assists with non-anesthesia surgical preparation (clipping/scrubbing)
• Monitors animals through post-anesthesia and recovery
• Administers non-controlled treatments (oral, topical or SQ), as directed
• Assists with capturing x-ray images
• Assists with laser therapy
• Ensures supplies are written on order list as they diminish
• Trains other staff, volunteers, or interns
• Maintains a healthy and safe environment for animals and people
• Maintains laundry throughout the day
• Updates animal records in PetPoint

Provides professional client and volunteer care

• Always represents the APL in a professional and courteous manner
• Provides quality service to customers, volunteers, and staff
• Works closely with Clinic Supervisor, Clinic Manager, RVTs and Veterinarians to provide prompt customer service and client education to ALL clients
• Provides phone calls to clients as needed
• Assists with intake in morning as needed, and discharges clients in evening
• Actively promotes the APL programs and events to clients and volunteers
• Refers clients to appropriate staff for service
• Promotes communication and cooperation between APL departments.

Performs other duties as assigned including but not limited to:

• Informs supervisor of special needs cases for potential public relations or direct mail pieces
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned; participates on special committees as needed

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Accurate typing and data entry skills
• Ability to use good judgment
• Dependable regarding schedule with the ability to be flexible to accommodate the needs of the APL
• Ability to thoroughly read and understand instructions
• Ability to work with animals, disinfectants, and cleaning supplies
• Ability to perform physical work: scrubbing, mopping, bending, lifting, walking, sitting and standing for up to 10 hours a day, lifting up to 50 pounds with assistance

Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a variety of people
• Ability to efficiently use Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge
• Ability to anticipate the needs of Veterinarians and RVTs
• Knowledge of animal breed, behavior, and handling
• Knowledge of animal health, and able to identify illness helpful
• Familiarity with veterinary medical terminology helpful
• Excellent communication skills
• Willing to improve upon skills routinely
• Detail oriented and able to prioritize and perform duties efficiently and effectively with an adequate amount of independence
• Committed to maintaining the Cleveland Animal Protective League’s high standard of animal care and mission to foster, compassion, and end animal suffering
• Fear Free Certified or must become certified within six months of hire

Working Conditions

Work is performed constantly in an animal shelter that operates seven days per week with exposure to animals, including some with questionable health and temperament concerns, high noise levels, zoonotic diseases, and cleaning agents. The person in this position needs to be able to stand, walk and/or perform physical work (such as lifting, scrubbing, mopping, bending) for up to 10 hours a day. Regularly operates a computer and other office equipment (i.e. calculator, copier, and printer). Constantly positions self to handle animals of all sizes in a variety of areas and positions (low cages, high cages, on tables, on the floor, in vehicles, etc.). Frequently positions self to perform shelter and animal cleaning functions. Constantly communicates with staff members and volunteers who have inquiries about their job responsibilities and animal needs and must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Must be able to detect and recognize animal behavior that is potentially dangerous. Regularly moves animals weighing up to 50 pounds (i.e. through the shelter on leash or using other safe restraint and animal handling equipment, into and out of cages in the shelter, onto and off of exam tables).

Cleveland APL Employment Opportunities
https://clevelandapl.org/about-us/employment/

Applying online
https://clevelandapl.org/employment-application/

Applying via standard mail
Send resume and application to:

Cleveland Animal Protective League
ATTN: Human Resources Department
1729 Willey Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44113

Application Form (PDF format)
https://clevelandapl.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/APL-Application.pdf

Applying via e-mail:
Copy/paste resume into email body OR attach in a Word or PDF document. Enter position applied for in the email subject line.

EEOC: The Cleveland APL is an equal opportunity employer and is looking for diversity in qualified candidates for employment.'

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $17.10 per hour

Expected hours: 30 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Overtime

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Veterinary Clinic: 1 year (Required)
• Animal handling: 1 year (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Cleveland, OH 44113: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17