Oncology ACA

Boreal Veterinary Centre; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental benefits

Growth opportunities

Employee assistance program

Group discount at Goodlife Fitness

Job summary

Boreal Veterinary Centre in Edmonton, AB, is seeking an Oncology Animal Care Attendant to support the Oncology Team with comfort care for chemotherapy patients and client updates. The role includes restraint for procedures, maintaining hospital cleanliness, and collaboration with RVTs and specialists.

This full-time position requires compassion, reliability, and the ability to work 8–10 hour shifts, Monday to Friday, in a fast-paced veterinary setting.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; related veterinary training is an asset.
• Ability to stand for long shifts and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Understand veterinary hospital workflows and terminology.
• Punctual, prepared for shift start and clear client communication.

Responsibilities

• Restrain animals safely for procedures and chemo treatments.
• Provide comfort care and support to oncology patients.
• Maintain cleanliness of wards and treatment areas.
• Communicate updates to owners and team members.
• Assist with aftercare and environmental enrichment.

Skills

Compassion

Patience

Communication

Client relations

Education

High school diploma

Veterinary support training

Job description

Position Title: Oncology Animal Care Attendant

Reports to: Lead Specialty RVT
Department: Oncology
Status: Full-Time Permanent (40 hours per week)

Prerequisites

• High school diploma


• Further veterinary professional training as VOA, VMA, etc will be considered an asset


• Able to stand for long periods of time (10 hours)


• Able to lift 50lbs (22kg)


• E xhibit compassion and patience


• Understanding of veterinary hospital flow


• Knowledge of the scope of practice for hospital staff


• Basic understanding of medical terminology


• Ability to be on time and prepared to work at the beginning of your scheduled shift


• Ability to communicate with clients in a friendly, compassionate and professionalmanner (both verbally and electronically)


• Working Conditions: May be exposed to unpleasant odors, noises, animal vomit, urine, blood or feces. May be exposed to bites, scratches, and contagious diseases.

Position Summary

To provide support to the Oncology Team, including gold standard nursing and comfort care to our oncology patients, with clear and effective client communication. This will be a very important accessory role within our Oncology Department and will include assisting with restraint for procedures and chemotherapy treatments, patient comfort care, and providing owner updates as requested.

As Boreal Veterinary Centre's Oncology Service continues to grow, we are expanding our support team to meet the increasing demand for specialized oncology care. This position has been created to support the continued growth of the department, allowing our Registered Veterinary Technologists and specialists to focus on advanced medical procedures while ensuring patients receive exceptional comfort, husbandry, and emotional support throughout their treatment journey.

This role will work under the direction of the Oncology RVTs, with a primary focus on comfort care for chemotherapy patients. Some cross-training and assisting in other departments may be required as requested.

Schedule

This is a full-time permanent position consisting of 8 to 10-hour shifts, Monday through Friday, scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Essential Job Functions

• Ability to safely and comfortably restrain a variety of species of animals for procedures such as chemotherapy administration, blood collection, IV catheter placement, etc.


• Prepare supplies for, and clean up following, treatments and procedures as required


• Have knowledge of biosecurity protocols


• Ensure cleanliness of the chemotherapy patient wards and associated treatment areas


• Ensure that exam rooms are always clean, stocked and ready for clients and patients


• Notify the medical team of any concerns with patient attitude, stress, changes to appetite etc.


• Manage, direct and sort incoming calls and messages to the appropriate team member


• Become familiar with and use internal messaging and invoicing functions


• Document in detail dietary intake, walks, urination, defecation, and other fluid losses


• Provide mentorship and support to the kennel staff team


• Perform aftercare of deceased patients, to be double checked by RVT


• Provide a variety of oral nutrition options and hand feed if necessary


• Provide environmental enrichment (Kongs, toys, treats, iPad, music, Feliway etc.) forhospitalized patients


• Groom and clean patients as necessary


• Monitor and encourage natural bathroom breaks


• Facilitate safe, organized family visits for hospitalized patients


• Clean kennels and ready them for new patients


• Other supportive tasks as deemed necessary

Background for Development and Importance of This Role

The need for this accessory role has risen due to the shortage of veterinary professionals. When examining the day-to-day work of registered veterinary professionals, we need to highlight what is in their scope of practice and place an emphasis of time on those activities for them. In a busy hospital, their medical expertise is prioritized, and the non-medical activities become less of a focus. Boreal Veterinary Centre feels that those non-medical activities are often under emphasized and strive to include non-registered support staff as an integral part of the medical care team to provide a gold standard of care.

Company Benefits

Joining the Boreal Veterinary Centre team means you'll enjoy an array of perks, including:

• Opportunities for growth and professional development


• Employee assistance program through Sparrow


• Health and dental benefits


• Group discount rate to Goodlife Fitness