Small Animal Clinic (SAC) Veterinary Assistant
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignAbout the role
Small Animal Clinic (SAC) Veterinary Assistant
Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Job Summary
To provide routine animal care and maintain sanitation in animal-handling areas while supporting patient care in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Responsibilities include handling, feeding, restraining, and transporting animals; maintaining medical records; stocking supplies; and ensuring the cleanliness of facilities. May be asked to assist in other areas of the hospital.Duties & Responsibilities
Animal Care, Patient Care, and Monitoring
• Provide routine and clinical care for animals in a professional and courteous manner:
• Clean and sanitize cages, stalls, rooms, and clinical spaces
• Feed, water, bed, exercise, and bathe animals as directed
• Restrain animals using appropriate techniques
• Receive, transport, and transfer animals throughout hospital areas
• Monitor hospitalized and recovering patients under supervision
• Observe and report abnormalities (respiratory distress, mentation changes, shock, etc.)
• Recognize and report emergency conditions, including cardiopulmonary arrest
• Prepare special diets and administer medications/treatments as directed
Cleaning, Sanitation, and Facilities Maintenance
• Maintain hospital cleanliness and infection control standards:
• Remove waste (feces, urine, blood, debris) and maintain sanitary conditions
• Clean and sterilize instruments and equipment
• Follow infection control protocols, especially in isolation areas
• Complete daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning assignments
• Maintain pest control and prevention programs
Clinical and Operational Support
• Maintain inventory and stock supplies, feed, and bedding
• Maintain patient logs and census records
• Assist with unloading shipments and transporting supplies
• Assist with the intake of animals for teaching and research labs
• Troubleshoot and report equipment issues
• Administer medications and treatments as instructed by clinicians
• Operate equipment such as forklifts
• Transport and dispose of animal remains and biohazard waste
• Train new employees or student workers
Other duties as assigned
Additional Physical Demands
An environment of stress may be anticipated. The person in this position must be capable of reliably functioning in such an area. The amount of physical exertion will vary with assignments. For example, the assistant may be lifting a 40lb. dog on and off an examination table. The handling of any animal presents some element of risk or injury. Some strength and considerable caution are required when working with animals during diagnostic or surgical procedures. To some degree, unpleasantness may be experienced under such conditions. This position entails operating equipment, administering medications, and restraining animals of various species for examination. Exposure to anesthetic agents may present a potential hazard. An ability to work in the presence of animal waste and fluids, syringes, needles, and medications are potentially dangerous and must be used with care. Persons allergic to animal dander, dust, pollen, hay, etc., may experience discomfort in this position. Work involving animals with various disease states may expose the individual to viral, bacterial, and fungal agents known to be transmissible to man. Exposure to chemicals and anesthetic waste gases may be potentially hazardous if mishandled or misused.Minimum Qualifications
1. High school diploma or equivalent.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of general care and handling of companion species of animals (dogs, cats, birds, exotics).
- Working knowledge infection control protocols and hospital standards.
- Ability to move larger animals such as large dogs.
- Knowledge of operating computers and hospital information systems.
- Able to adapt to new technologies, procedures, and equipment.
- Demonstrate adherence to strict protocols.
- Able to recognize abnormalities in vital signs of patients and report to veterinary staff.
- Capable of working in an animal hospital environment, which typically involves sick and injured animals, diseases transmissible to humans, and animal products and wastes, including feces, urine, blood, and other bodily fluids.
- Ability to handle and/or transport deceased animals and/or parts and collect and transfer bio-hazard waste.
- Able to multitask, always pay close attention to details
- Work calmly and professionally under pressure
- A reasonable amount of efficiency is necessary.
- Courteous and polite.
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 4079 - Veterinary Assistant position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start da
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