Veterinary Assistant (Full Time)

POSITION SUMMARY

The veterinary assistant will support the Veterinary Services department in their daily tasks by cleaning and maintaining equipment, feeding and dispensing medications, preparing and sanitizing veterinary services rooms, restraining and handling patients, inventory tracking, and maintaining animal medical records.

Department: Veterinary Services
Reports to: Veterinary Services Manager
Status: Full-time, non-exempt
Schedule: 40 hours, variable, 10-hour shifts, one weekend day required

MISSION

Foothills Animal Shelter’s mission is: Providing support to our surrounding community through education, services that strengthen the human-pet bond, and humane care for the animals we serve.

VALUES

All employees and volunteers are expected to embody the Shelter’s Values which are to have honesty and integrity in all that we do, with the following values as our guide:

• Stewardship: Assume responsibility and ownership for our actions within our shelter and our community.
• Positive Culture: Create a safe, supportive environment for the health, wellbeing, and development of staff and volunteers.
• Openness: Nurture an innovative, inclusive, and creative environment that cultivates conversations and relationships that actively work towards the future.
• Team Oriented: Build relationship, embrace teamwork, and foster collaboration in pursuit of our Mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Surgery and Health Care

• Assists with the administration of medications, vaccinations, and treatments under the supervision of a veterinary technician.
• Fills prescriptions with veterinarian approval and under the supervision of a veterinary technician.
• Performs laboratory work and diagnostic imaging.
• Maintains accurate records, documents, and data entry for shelter animals.
• Participates in euthanasia services, including veterinary restraint for sedation or euthanasia. 
• Maintains surgery area and prepares surgical patients, including cleaning of kennels, prep spaces, and surgical suite; stocking inventory; cleaning medical instruments and running autoclave; laundry; and shuttling patients to/from the surgery area..
• Cleans, disinfects, sets up, and restocks necessary rooms, equipment, and work areas including surgery area, healthcare, hospital ward, ringworm ward, recovery ward, and isolation spaces. 
• Cares for hospitalized patients including feeding, cleaning, and kennel maintenance.
• Reports patient health or temperament abnormalities to a veterinarian or veterinary technician.
• Provides animal restraint in a manner consistent with Foothills Animal Shelter’s commitment to fear-free sheltering and veterinary care.   

Organizational Wellness

• Interacts with vol