Part-Time Veterinary Assistant

JOB OPENING

CITY OF FARMINGTON

JOB POSTING #224: PART-TIME VETERINARY ASSISTANT

NUMBER OF VACANCIES: 1

DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs

WORK LOCATION: Farmington Animal Shelter

HIRING RANGE: $14.00 to $16.00 per hour DOE

PAY GRADE: Temporary

TYPE OF POSITION: Temporary, Part-Time

DAYS WORKED: Monday through Friday

HOURS WORKED: 11:30AM to 5:30PM

APPLICATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED UNTIL: Until Filled, First Review in Two Weeks

JOB DUTIES

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Works under the direct supervision of the Lead Veterinary Assistant, the Veterinary Technician, and the Staff Veterinarian.

Assists the Lead Veterinary Assistant and Veterinary Technician in daily set-up for all surgical procedures. This includes setting up hydro-warming blankets, heated exam tables, and replenishing stock.

Assists Lead Vet Assistant and Vet Tech in performing basic pet exams. This includes retrieving animals from kennels, weighing them, and returning them to their kennels.

Assists Lead Vet Assistant and Vet Tech in restraint and tranquilization of pets for surgery.

Performs post-operative patient recovery. This includes administering pain injections, and vaccinations, placing a tattoo on the animal, wiping out ears, and trimming toenails. Lifting and moving animals post-op, taking temperatures, and removing endotracheal tubes.

Cleans and maintains kennels and surgical facility. This includes cleaning and disinfecting all kennels daily, cleaning and disinfecting surgery room daily, mopping floors, cleaning and sanitizing surgical instruments, and maintaining a clean and sterile triage area including countertops and all work areas.

Walks dogs outside as necessary and cleans/disinfects after any biological animal accidents/spills.

Maintains all surgical packs and drapes. This includes cleaning and sanitizing all surgical instruments, creating surgical packs, and operating two autoclaves.

Performs weekly and monthly maintenance on autoclaves.

Operates blood machines and runs blood samples for patients.

Transfers animals to and from the shelter and AMD. Also transfer of animals to San Juan Vet Clinic for x-rays.

Assists in the process of euthanasia.

Assists shelter veterinarian with any necessary tasks or exams.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Must demonstrate knowledge of and adherence to FRAS policies and procedures.

Must ensure a safe work environment, follow all safety guidelines, and model safe work practices.

Must take immediate action to address any safety concerns that could put a staff member, volunteer, customer, animal or the organization at risk.

Must be able to follow direction of a contract veterinarian as well as the staff veterinarian.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statement of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

QUALIFICATIONS

This position is subject to the City of Farmington's Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy which includes: pre-employment testing, post-accident testing, random testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return to duty testing, and follow-up testing.

Must have a high school diploma with preference given to applicants with veterinary assistant experience and/or education.

Must have ability to hear, understand, and execute directions from supervisors.

Must have ability to lift up to 50 pounds onto a table with assistance.

Must have ability to work in direct contact with animals without experiencing allergy symptoms.

Must have ability to cope with euthanasias and medical deaths.

Must have knowledge and concern for animals.

Must have ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, and public pet owners.