Veterinary/Kennel Assistant

A veterinary and kennel assistant supports veterinarians and veterinary technicians in exams, treatment, surgery and boarding. The veterinary and kennel assistant assists with animal restraint, housekeeping, client communication, treatments, surgeries and daily patient and boarding animal care. They communicate with clients in person and by phone for follow-up care and patient monitoring.

Technical Duties, 70%:

Patient Care

• Care for boarding and hospitalized animals, including cage cleaning, exercising, feeding, observing signs of illness and controlling the spread of parasites and infectious diseases
• Restrain patients for procedures performed by technicians or doctors
• Administer medications
• Assess change in animal status
• Trim nails
• Clean ears
• Bathing and dipping procedures
• Ensure hospital patients and boarding pets are cared for, go home well groomed, and in an appropriate medical state

Laboratory & Pharmacy

• Perform basic in-house lab tests
• Collect Samples, such as fecal samples
• Complete forms for reference lab
• Fill out lab reports and logs
• Clean lab area
• Fill prescriptions

Inventory

• Restock shelves and drawers in exam rooms and treatment area
• Assist with inventory and supplies, by notifying Office Manager when getting low

Housekeeping Duties, 20%:

• Do laundry
• Clean cages and boarding kennels
• Help maintain clean exam rooms, treatment area, surgical suite and bathrooms
• Clean public and staff areas
• Assist with facility and yard maintenance to maintain a clean, odorless and inviting environment

Client Communication Duties, 8%:

• Professional, cheerful and helpful attitude when interacting with pet owners
• Knowledge of common diseases, their symptoms and means of transmission
• Knowledge of preventative health care recommendations to answer questions and assist in marketing veterinary services from which clients’ pets would benefit

Administrative Duties, 2%:

• Help in reception area when needed
• Know how to answer multi-line phones when needed
• Understand proper medical record keeping
• Understand front-desk procedures in order to assist receptionists (such as phone system, AviMark and appointment scheduling guidelines)

Educational Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Formal or on-the-job training in veterinary technology

Skills Needed:

• Ability and willingness to assist technicians, doctors and receptionists
• Responsibilities will vary based on the practice’s current needs, the season and the individual skills of the employee
• Ability to assist veterinarians in the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery
• Effective communicator

Physical Obligations:

• Able to lift patients and carry equipment up to 45 pounds; ability to lift patients or carry equipment over 45 pounds with assistance
• Endure sitting, standing and walking on hard floor surfaces for extended periods of time
• Type information for patient records and prescription labels into the computer
• Able to work in noisy work conditions with sounds from animals and equipment
• Take safety precautions for exposure to aggressive animals, zoonotic diseases, toxins, drugs, anesthesia and radiation

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $17.00 - $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 30 – 40 per week

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• No nights
• Weekends as needed

Experience:

• Kennel: 1 year (Preferred)

Location:

• Elkton, FL 32033 (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Elkton, FL 32033 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17 - $20