Description

Want to work for a progressive, effective, and innovative lifesaving animal shelter caring for nearly 10,000 animals a year?

Join our team at the Nevada Humane Society as a Veterinary ASSISTANT – Community Medicine & Surgery at our Reno Campus. Pay starting at: $19.00 per hour

We are proud to be a high save organization and are looking for individuals who enjoy working with people as much as working with animals. Help us care for our animal population daily and match families with a new best friend.

At NHS, we believe in our team, and their dedication to serving the animals in need all over Northern Nevada. That is why we have robust industry, leading total compensation packages for our employees. Taking care of you makes us happy from nose to tail!

All employees are eligible for:

• Start accruing PTO on day one of employment.
• Eligible to apply for Low-Cost Supplemental plans like Life- Insurance, Accident, and Short- Term Disability.
• Pet Perks like Free Vaccines, Spay/Neuter and End of Life Services for employee-owned pets.
• Free and reduced pet adoptions.
• Up to 50% off major brand pet food and prescription food for employee-owned pets delivered right to the shelter.

Full-Time Employees are eligible for:

• 100% employer paid medical and vision premium,90% employer paid buy up options, low-Cost Dental Plan.
• Eligible to participate in the (PSLF) Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• 8 paid holidays

Our Veterinary ASSISTANT – Community Medicine & Surgery will:

Primary Purpose:

The Veterinary Assistant (VA) plays a critical role in supporting the veterinary team at the Nevada Humane Society. The Community Medicine & Surgery VA has an emphasis on providing safe and efficient high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter care. Key responsibilities include animal handling, pre-operative preparation, intra-operative support, and post-operative monitoring, as well as non-surgical care. At the Nevada Humane Society, you will be part of a collaborative and upbeat team that works well with all shelter departments to ensure outstanding care of animals.

The Reno/Tahoe region is host to a growing population of motivated professionals who work hard but value a work life balance and lean into the numerous outdoor recreational opportunities of the region.

Sweeping ski and snowboard vistas pair with stunning water experiences at nearby Lake Tahoe and Pyramid Lake, complemented by numerous hiking, biking and park amenities – together these options make an active day in the valley or in the nearby mountains a matter of which terrain you want to experience.

 In fact, Reno was named by Outsider Magazine as the #1 Happiest Place to Live in the United States in 2023, citing the burgeoning craft brewing scene, its annual monthlong summer art festival (Artown), as well as the prolific Burning Man installations made public thanks to its proximity to Burning Man, and the relatively affordable cost of living.

Home to Nevada’s first university, the University of Nevada, Reno, the region comes alive with school spirit. It also boasts an impressive number of community-minded professionals, a number that is growing thanks to blue chip companies like Tesla and Microsoft.  

https://th.bing.com/th/id/OIP.Gu7encSuQddkPfGpNeBLjAHaE7?w=240&h=180&c=7&r=0&o=5&dpr=1.7&pid=1.7

With approximately 300 days of sunlight each year, a diverse economy, and a wealth of options for adventure, the Reno/Tahoe area is a perfect home for a nonprofit professional looking to continue the next chapter of their career in a bustling and welcoming community.

Qualifications

Essential Responsibilities

Position-Specific Responsibilities

• Support efficient surgical procedures: Assist with the flow of spay/neuter surgeries within the HQHVSN program, ensuring efficiency, animal safety and comfort, with a fucus of surgical preparation and monitoring.
• Provide essential nursing support: Assist veterinarians and technicians with patient care, including monitoring hospitalized animals, administering medications, and preparing for procedures.
• Deliver exceptional client service: Educate clients on animal care, provide compassionate support during difficult times, and build strong relationships with the community.
• Participate in shelter medicine initiatives: Contribute to the overall health and well-being of shelter animals, including disease prevention and control programs.

Medicine & Surgery

1. Know basic veterinary medical concepts. 
2. Responsible for prepping patients for surgery, observing all clinic procedures, to enforce sterility and safety of patients.
3. General duties in the operating room during surgery, assisting with movement of patients, recovery of patients, and general flow. 
4. Able to monitor anesthesia, with a clear idea of abnormal conditions. 
5. Ensure prompt and accurate paperwork procedures are followed each day. 
6. Able to respond appropriately during an emergency, able to take directions from a veterinarian and/or veterinary technician, and maintain competency in CPR procedures 

Teamwork & Communication: 

1. Work closely with volunteers and staff, providing support and training.
2. Ensure adherence to Nevada Humane Society’s policies, standard operating procedures and safety practices.
3. Collaborate effectively with all departments regarding animal medical needs.

General Responsibilities

1. Help promote fundraising activities and solicit support of agency overall.
2. Interact with co-workers and volunteers in an efficient and courteous manner to ensure a cooperative team environment amongst all departments. 
3. Maintain and promote a positive public image standard relevant to Nevada Humane Society.
4. Professionally represent Nevada Humane Society with customers, donors, and business partners.
5. Attend and participate in departmental and shelter meetings. Attend educational conferences/seminars as recommended/approved.
6. In the event of an emergency, assist with the handling and evacuation of animals located at any Nevada Humane Society campus.
7. Participate in disaster preparedness and response activities for the organization and community as it pertains to pet related needs.
8. Address and/or report any safety hazards or unsafe activities. 
9. Perform other responsibilities as requested by direct management, and/or the CEO. 

Working conditions

Position-Specific Working Conditions:

1. Prolonged exposure to various aqueous solutions including but not limited to dish soap, chlorhexidine, spectra soap, isopropanol, hydrogen peroxide 
2. Potential exposure to formalin solution
3. Potential/Prolonged exposure to anesthetic gas (isoflurane, sevoflurane)
4. Prolonged exposure to chemical cleaners and disinfectants
5. Potential exposure to pressurized steam
6. Exposure to low levels of radiation primarily from diagnostic x-rays. 
7. Potential exposure to sharps including needles and surgical blades

General Working Conditions

Working for NHS in any capacity is safety sensitive due to the responsibilities at this business that directly affect the wellbeing and safety of employees, animals and the public.

1. Work will be performed in a variety of environmentally controlled and uncontrolled conditions.
2. Due to the housing of live animals onsite, work hours may take place at any time within a 24-hour period, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Operational and public hours may vary by department, or location and are subject to change. Attendance at events and other functions may require additional hours, holiday, weekend, evening overnight, or on-call work.
3. Exposure to allergens produced by animal dander, saliva, or fur, throughout all areas of the shelter, or other locations.
4. Exposure to zoonotic, or otherwise communicable disease.
5. Exposure to animals with unpredictable or aggressive behavior. 
6. Exposure to animals that may scratch or bite unexpectedly.
7. Exposure to direct or indirect injury from an animal or other mechanical means used to confine, control, or provide essential care for any animal housed with NHS.
8. May require travel within a workday on a regular basis. May require overnight travel intermittently.

Position-Specific Equipment Use

Anesthesia, Monitoring, Dental, Ultrasound, Surgical Sterilization, Radiology, hematology

General Equipment Use

Telephone, cell phone, computer, printer, scanner, copier, two-way radios, and other office-related equipment. May require use of personal and company vehicles.

Physical & Mental Demands

Position-Specific Mental Demands

1. Must be able to work under stressful surgical conditions and work efficiently and effectively under those high-pressure conditions.
2. Must be able to respond quickly to a variety of medical situations.
3. Must be able to cope with death due to surgical complication or euthanasia.
4. Client Education
   1. Must be able to learn basic veterinary medical concepts, including but not limited to vaccine protocols and anesthetic risks
   2. Must also be able to communicate basic veterinary concepts to owners and be able to repeat information relayed by a veterinarian
   3. Will be asked to take medical histories for surgical rechecks
   4. Will be asked to communicate with the public daily in a professional manner

General Mental Demands

1. Demonstrated ability to maintain emotional balance, competently and reasonably manage daily exposure to various animal welfare concerns, including adverse outcomes for animals, ethically complex situations, and hostile clients. 
2. Must have ability to make decisions based on reasonable judgment.
3. Must have ability to work with the public, staff and volunteers in a fair and ethical manner.
4. Requires the ability to think clearly, act quickly and utilize sound judgment in a variety of situations.

Position-Specific Physical Demands

1. Must be able to lift 50 pound utilizing good body mechanics to prevent injury.
2. Must possess excellent hand-eye coordination.
3. Must possess an acceptable degree of dexterity in hands and fingers.
4. Must have good vision including peripheral vision, fine detail, distance, depth perception and ability to focus.
5. Must have good range of motion in joints especially wrist, knees, elbows.
6. Must have good range of motion in your back for twisting and reaching.
7. Must be able to work in potentially extreme environmental temperatures.
8. Must have acceptable sense of balance
9. Must be able to work and reach on hands and knees.
10. Must have good hearing including ability to distinguish changes in pitch.
11. Must have reasonable degree of agility to move through tightly cramped areas in various situations.
12. Must have acceptable sense of touch and smell.
13. Animal Handling 
    1. Will be asked to handle (on average) 30-60 dogs and cats per day 
    2. Must be able to learn characteristics of animal behavior (for example be able to identify aggressive or fearful behavior) 
    3. Must be able to use appropriate safety equipment for fractious or feral animals (will train) – the use of safety equipment is mandatory 
    4. Must possess excellent reflexes 
    5. Should be able to identify own limitations and be willing to ask for help
    6. Must become proficient at animal restraint for various procedures

General Physical Demands

1. The physical ability to be at the shelter for the duration of each scheduled shift and other offsite locations as assigned or required to provide essential care to all animals under the care of NHS.
2. Physical ability to walk and/or stand on your feet throughout a normal workday to provide essential care for all animals under the care of NHS.
3. Physical ability to engage in repetitive motions of all limbs and the dexterity to grasp and hold small items with both hands, to move animals and goods. ability to hear, and discern noises from within 3 feet of you, visual acuity, near, far, depth, color vision, to provide essential care to all animals under the care of NHS.
4. Ability to and willingness to physically be near and handle any animals, and required tools, supplies, materials, used to safely and humanely manage their care.

Experience and Qualification Requirements

Position-Specific Requirements

1. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
2. Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
3. Able to work a flexible schedule, including four to five days a week, including weekends, with some shift up to 10-hour.

Position-Specific Desired Experience

1. Experience in HQHVSN practices.
2. Experience in an animal shelter or veterinary clinic settings.

General Requirements

1. 18 years of age or older.
2. Ability to work autonomously, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines efficiently.
3. Staying updated on community developments, particularly in animal welfare.
4. High degree of accuracy and meticulous attention to detail.
5. Excellent verbal, written, and observational skills.
6. Self-starter with a goal-oriented mindset, willing to exceed prescribed work and time schedules to meet deadlines.
7. Possession of a valid Driver’s License with valid registration and insurance for personal vehicles, essential for positions requiring driving.
8. Demonstrated commitment to the welfare of animals and alignment with the mission of the Nevada Humane Society.
9. Consistently treat animals with compassion and respect, both professionally and personally, and promote these values to others.
10. Strict adherence to all local regulations concerning the ownership and care of personal animals.
11. Comprehensive understanding of pet behavior and care, with the capability to handle various animals safely and responsibly.
12. Maintaining a consistently positive and professional demeanor is essential.
13. A sincere interest in the Nevada Humane Society’s mission and vision.

General Desired Experience

1. Experience in same or related position in a nonprofit setting-preferably animal welfare.
2. Record of continually increasing responsibilities with measurable results.

Salary : $19 - $21