Veterinary Assistant

Looking to make a difference in the lives of pets and people? With an almost year-round beautiful blue sky and a scenic mountain backdrop, HSPPR is a nonprofit animal shelter serving El Paso, Pueblo, and Douglas Counties as well as the City of Centennial in the colorful State of Colorado. We employ a total of 200 employees. We are an organization that celebrates and prioritizes diversity and inclusion. HSPPR welcomes you to apply for this exciting opportunity at our socially conscious organization.

Job Summary

The Veterinary Assistant is responsible for ensuring high veterinary medical standards and assisting in all aspects of the Surgery Team or the Patient Care team in an efficient and professional manner. Works cohesively with all departments of the organization.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists the veterinarians with patient exams by providing proper animal restraint, obtaining a medical history from records and/or, performing tasks and treatments as directed, and filling medications.
• Communicates with shelter veterinarians regarding the status of animals in treatment. Reports concerns and triages priorities while working with medical and shelter staff.
• Calculates appropriate drug dosages.
• Medicates animals, ensuring all animals receive the appropriate medication.
• Animal handling, including kenneling animals after surgery and retrieving animals for owners following appointments within the surgery center.
• May assist during surgeries by providing animal restraint, assisting with pre-medication administration, and overseeing recovering patients.
• Cleans kennels and provides animal care as directed by the Veterinary Services Supervisor or Manager
• Computer data entry and record keeping according to established protocol.
• Checks and re-stocks supplies as needed.
• Assists with Euthanasia as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Other:

• Commitment to the mission, values, goals and success of HSPPR.
• Appropriately documents observed animal behaviors utilizing objective language as required in relevant procedures and/or policies.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Duties

None

Physical Demands

• Regularly sits at computer station, often in a shared office environment.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move 25 or more pounds of moving weight and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 or more pounds of moving weight.
• May be occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl.
• Regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, hear, and is frequently required to stand and walk. May be expected to be on feet for extended periods of time.
• Consistently exposed to animals in the workplace and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.
• Regularly exposed to noise and potential exposure to hazardous weather conditions.
• Potential exposure to cleaning supplies and/or other substances containing toxic or caustic chemicals.

Schedule Requirements

Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday (4 days, 10hr shifts). Schedule may include weekend and evening work.

Education/Experience Necessary

• Ability to effectively read, write, interpret, communicate, perform basic problem solving, and perform basic math as commonly expected from completion of a High School Diploma or Equivalent Education.
• Prior animal handling experience preferred.

**Application Deadline: open until filled**

Benefits include:

Health Insurance ~~ 401K with employer matching up to 4% of salary ~~ Dental and vision* Insurances ~~ Supplemental Group Insurance* ~~ Short and long term disability Insurance ~~ Paid time off ~~ Holidays ~~ Direct Deposit ~~ Personal Pet Perks

(*) Employee pays the full premium

The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer. To learn more about this program, go to https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/.

The core values of the staff unite us and guide us to provide the best service to the animals in our care, our organization, and our community.

Core Values Statements-

• Compassion: We believe that animals matter. We are committed to treating animals and people with kindness, respect and compassion.
• Stewardship: We are accountable and transparent in our actions and in the use of our resources to build trust in those we serve.
• Integrity: We believe we can make the greatest impact by staying true to our mission, always doing what is best for the animals and people of our community, and by standing united in our decisions.
• Excellence: We are passionate about our mission, and strive for excellence through continual learning, innovation and the development of our board, staff and volunteers.
• Collaboration: We seek strategic partnerships and alliances to advance the welfare and protection of animals and people.
• Service: We exist to serve our communities and operate with this commitment to serve as front and center in all we do.

As a condition of employment with HSPPR, you will be required to authorize HSPPR and ProScreening to conduct a background check before confirming an employment start date. The background check will include a criminal investigation, verification of citizenship/immigration status, and a motor vehicle record. By applying for this position, you acknowledge and agree that any offers of employment will be contingent upon completion of the background check to the satisfaction of HSPPR.

In consideration of any offers of employment made as a result of your interest in this position, by applying for this position, you hereby waive any and all claims that you may have against HSPPR for invasion of privacy in respect to drug testing and background checks as listed above.

Salary : $17 - $17