What are the responsibilities and job description for the Kennel Assistant position at Valley Veterinary Care?
General Description of Position:
JOB REQUIREMENTS/SKILLS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
A Kennel Technician’s duties include feeding and giving water to animals following specific schedules and special feeding instructions. They also clean, organize, and disinfect animal quarters; answer phone calls and schedule appointments; examine and observe animals to check possible signs of illnesses, diseases, or injuries; respond to questions from customers, and provide information about animals, such as habitat, behavior, physical activities or breeding habits. Kennel technicians also provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to administer treatment; collect and record animal information such as weight, size, physical condition, food intake, treatments and medications received; groom animals; and mix food, liquid formulas, medications, and food supplements according to prescriptions
Reports to: Head Kennel Technician
TECHNICIAN DUTIES:
Bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, standing/walking on concrete floor up to 12 hours a day, typing, writing, balancing, twisting, squatting and rotating throughout the day.
Moving animals from cage to cage, floor to floor, room to room.
Restraining animals up to 200 pounds intermittently, lifting animals up to 50 pounds and lifting animals over 50 pounds with help.
Ability to maintain an alertness level to keep safe from possible danger, resilience after disappointment or constructive feedback, compassion, to follow the ethical guidelines of your profession.
Powers of keen observation for patient care.
Keep team mentality in mind always.
Be prepared and willing to aid and ask for assistance when needed.
Keep a positive professional outlook, completely abstain from gossip/negative observation regarding clients/team members or other professionals or other behavior that can whittle away at the healthy foundation of a team.
Attend staff meetings, participate in hospital functions like open house, community efforts and special events.
Be prepared to present topics at the occasional staff meetings.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Small animal hospital, work in front and back of hospital, high level of client interaction.
Noise exposure from barking dogs and machinery.
Danger of being bitten or scratched.
