Under the supervision of the Animal Control Director and Veterinarian will assist the veterinarian in surgery and with shelter medicine responsibilities, as well as ensuring that the facility and equipment is clean and in good working order. Will monitor the health of the animals and provide care and treatment to sick and injured animals. Educates staff, customers and volunteers on all aspects of the animal’s health.

• Assists the veterinarian with examinations; restrains animals during examinations. Treats animals, administering pharmaceuticals such as medications, vaccines, intramuscular, intravenous and subcutaneous injections to animals under the supervision of a veterinarian.
• Performs routine procedures such as but not limited to nail trims, anal gland expressions, ear cleanings and suture removals.
• Admit and take patient history, obtain vitals, discharge and triage according to customer, patient and facility needs. Contact customers for follow-up on treated patients.
• Prepares animals for surgery and assists the veterinarian during surgery. Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals’ responses to anesthetics, adjust dosage as needed. Monitors conditions of animals before, during and after surgery.
• Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other lifesaving procedures.
• Cleans and disinfects surgical equipment; surgery suite, counters tables, cages and floors, and operates autoclave.
• Perform and analyze clinical laboratory procedures such as but not limited to fecal flotation exams, heartworm checks, skin scrapings, feline leukemia, ear and skin cytologies, urinalysis and fungal cultures; maintains file of lab results and ensures the test results are recorded in patient record.
• Provides educational information on animal care, nutrition and medical conditions. Recommends products for optimal wellness, such as vitamins, supplements, dental cleanings, flea control, geriatric care and dietary measures.
• Prepares and labels medications to be sent home with patients. Teaches customers how to administer medicines at home.
• Prepares and maintains medical records including computer data entry, filing, and updating and monitoring daily records of hospitalized or quarantined animals.
• Orders medical supplies and maintains detailed written medical records and security of federally controlled drugs in compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. Maintains an accurate log of all incoming and outgoing controlled substances and immediately reports any shortages.
• Euthanize animals.
• Assist training new employees. Schedules and organizes medical volunteers.
• Assists with feeding, watering, cleaning, and walking the animals in the shelter. Performs the duties of the Animal Shelter Operator when needed.

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Must adhere to departmental standards in regard to HIPAA and other privacy issues.
• During a public health emergency, the employee may be required to perform duties similar to, but not limited, to those in his/her job description.

Education:
A minimum of a High School diploma or equivalent is required.
Experience: A minimum of 2 years’ experience animal experience is required.
Other Requirements:
(The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria)

• This position works in both an indoor and outdoor environment. While outdoors, exposure to lights, noises, odors, temperatures or weather conditions cannot be controlled and may be extreme.
• This position is exposed to variety of hazards such as traffic, moving vehicles, moving mechanical parts, electrical current, slippery surfaces, chemicals, cleaning solutions, oils, hazardous materials, etc.
• This position is exposed to air quality conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, poor ventilation, etc.
• This position is exposed to noise levels which require shouting in order to be heard.
• This position is exposed to vibrations and oscillating movements.
• This position is exposed to communicable diseases, blood, other body fluids, etc.
• This position is exposed to individuals in crisis. These individuals may suffer from mental or emotional illness, have violent tendencies or be unconcerned with their personal safety and hygiene.
• This position is required to travel for meetings and appointments. Some appointments may be held at personal residences where levels of cleanliness and safety vary.
• This position works closely with domestic and wild animals with unpredictable temperaments.
• This position is provided, and required to use, Personal Protection Equipment to minimize the risks associated with the working conditions listed above.

• This position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, traverse, climb, balance, twist, bend, stoop/crouch, squat, kneel, crawl, lift, carry, push, pull, reach, grasp, handle, pinch, type, endure repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers.
• This position’s physical requirements require regular stamina in all the above requirements listed above.
• This position performs heavy work requiring the ability to exert more than 50 pounds of force in the physical requirements above.
• This position primarily requires close visual acuity to perform tasks within arm’s reach such as: viewing a computer screen, using measurement devices, inspecting and assembling parts, etc.
• This position requires the ability to communicate and respond to inquiries both in person and over the phone.
• This position requires the ability to operate a PC/laptop and to enter & retrieve information from a computer.
• This position requires the ability to handle varying and often high levels of stress.