Veterinarian Assistant
Starting pay: $16.51/hr
Employment Type: Full Time
Hours/Days:
This position will be required to work any shift including evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime as necessary, and during inclement weather. Must be able to respond to call backs including after-hours and weekends.
Summary:
Assists veterinarians and works closely with all veterinary facility support staff to provide medical care for animals at the City's animal shelter, Amarillo Animal Management & Welfare. Duties encompass a wide array of tasks including but not limited to all aspects of veterinary nursing care, medical record management, and client communication.
Medical care provided by the Veterinary Assistant must be performed with general and specialized understanding of the procedures. Must be able to work independently and perform a majority of skills with minimal or no guidance. Position is subject to callback or overtime hours. This position will be required to work shifts including evenings. weekends, holidays, and overtime as necessary by the department, and during inclement weather. This position is considered weather essential personnel. Person in this position may travel outside of Amarillo seldom (once a year).
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Prepares for and assists veterinarians with routine and emergency medical procedures to ensure procedures are conducted in an efficient manner.
• Collects and prepares biological samples to examine samples under microscope, conducts lab tests, and reports results to veterinarians.
• Monitors animals' general health while in facilities and vital signs during procedures and while recuperating.
• Assists veterinarians with and administers prescribed medications to animals to provide support and nursing care.
• Prepares, sterilizes, and monitors surgical instrument packs and supplies for surgical procedures and treatment.
• Assists in maintaining the inventory of pharmaceuticals, equipment, and supplies and restocks medical kits to ensure supplies are readily available.
• Assists in the evaluation of the general condition of animals to determine which animals have the best chance for adoption.
• Ability to communicate effectively; both orally and in writing.
• Cleans, disinfects and maintains shelter areas as assigned.
• Feeds, waters, bathes, dips and exercises animals.
• Provides humane sheltering services in compliance with State minimum standards and Animal Control policies.
• Safely and humanely handles animals of unknown health and temperament.
• Safely and humanely euthanize animals as needed.
• Monitors physical conditions of animals and advises supervisor about ill or injured animals. Loads dead animals for proper disposal.
• Ensures the safety of animals and people in the shelter.
• Accurately maintains all required records.
• Provides information to the public, rescues, and related associates as deemed appropriate.
• Assists in unloading trucks, stocking shelter areas, and storing materials and supplies.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
• May drive moving equipment on behalf of the City of Amarillo.
• Work requires continual attention to detail. Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Demonstrates personal accountability to ensure that all responsibilities are completed effectively and in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates approachability when dealing with the general public.
• Experience in interacting with the general public (customer service) preferred.
• Demonstrates ability to create and encourage a positive work environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop positive relationships with others and demonstrate sensitivity to the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of others.
• Accurate, appropriate, clear and concise written and verbal communication skills. Strong listening skills.
• Experience with or ability to learn Microsoft Word and Excel, Outlook calendar, and Outlook e-mail as well as any other electronic platforms deemed appropriate.
• Willing to work on weekends/holidays/varying shift times and on-call shifts as required.
• Further your knowledge by asking questions and doing personal research.
• Ability to recognize medical symptoms and problems relating to animals.
• Adhere to disease management and safety protocols.
• Safely handle animals, including those with unknown temperaments.
• Work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with other City employees and the public.
• Must possess knowledge of animal services and related local programs.
• Must possess skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Must possess excellent customer service skills.

Physical Demands:
Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this Job the employee is required to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. The employee is also required to balance, crouch, feel, finger, handle, pull, push, reach, speak, stand, stoop, talk, see, and walk. Also requires the ability to make rational decisions and preform repetitive motions.
Required Qualifications:
High School Diploma or GED, Valid Texas Class C Driver's License, six months previous work experience. Must obtain euthanasia certificate within 1 year of hire. Must obtain pre-exposure rabies vaccinations within 6 months of hire.
Preferred Qualifications:
Previous experience working in the animal field.
The City of Amarillo is an Equal Opportunity employer and encourages applications from eligible and qualified persons regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information or protected veteran status, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law.
The City of Amarillo provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case by case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 806-378-4294.