Veterinary Assistant
Job Type: Full-time
Work Location: On site
Reports to Medical Operations Manager
Company Overview
Cincinnati Animal CARE (CAC) is a dynamic and progressive humane society in contract with Hamilton County to deliver exceptional animal services to our community. We enforce animal laws and prioritize public safety while striving to be a community resource providing education and support to the people and animals of Hamilton County. We value our team of compassionate, open-minded and resilient staff and volunteers who make it possible to care for 8,000 animals each year. We believe that lifesaving is a community ethic and implement a collaborative, holistic approach to animal sheltering and Dog Warden services.
Position Summary
The Veterinary Assistant will support the Medical Director and staff veterinarian in providing exceptional care for sick and injured animals, assisting with examinations, treatments, and the administration of medications as directed.
Duties and responsibilities:
- Assist the Medical Director and staff veterinarian in examining, handling, and treating patients.
- Administer treatments and medications to sick and injured animals as directed by the Medical Director or Veterinarian.
- Perform intake procedures including but not limited to exam, vaccines, medications, testing and treatment.
- Monitor sick and injured animals.
- Maintain a schedule of boosters and exams for all animals in care.
- Maintain medical records in PetPoint software.
- Stay current on shelter medicine best practice and follow shelter protocol.
- Perform any other shelter duties as directed by the Medical Manager or Medical Director.
- Be present and timely for the duration of each shift.
- Be empathetic and compassionate when interacting with the animals, staff and public.
- Adhere to the Cincinnati Animal CARE Culture Agreement which includes behaving in a manner that promotes a fun, positive work environment.
Requirements:
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must have personal integrity and remain free of felony convictions
- Must maintain confidentiality
- Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs
- Must be able to walk or stand for long periods of time; frequently works in a bent position
- Ability to read and interpret policies, procedures, and professional publications
- Possess strong oral and listening skills
- Ability to maintain accurate medical records
- Ability to exercise judgment, tact, and diplomacy
- Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions
- Knowledge of the occupational hazards and corresponding safety precautions necessary for the safe performance of assigned duties
- Experience caring for animals in a safe, effective, and humane manner
- Knowledge of and commitment to high levels of customer service
- Knowledge of animal behavior patterns and disease symptoms
- Prior shelter, veterinary or kennel experience preferred but not required
- Ability to maintain composure and professionalism during high stress and often challenging medical situations
Working Conditions:
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, controls, or tools listed above; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.
- Exposure and handling unvetted animals and their waste is frequent.
