Animal Care Assistant - University Veterinary Hospital

suvetocareers; Shreveport (LA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Pet care discounts

401K with match

VSOP grants

Job summary

University Veterinary Hospital, part of the Suveto network, in Shreveport, LA, is seeking full-time Animal Care Assistants to join our 24/7 Unleashed facility team. You will care for boarded and groomed pets, assist with walks, feeding, medications and daily care while maintaining clean, safe kennels.

We value teamwork, communication and a proactive approach to animal wellbeing. Benefits include paid time off, medical, dental, vision, a 401K match and stock ownership through VSOP grants.

Qualifications

• Strong listening and communication skills to interact with staff, clients and patients.
• Ability to speak clearly and professionally with customers and team.
• Efficient time management to handle multiple animal care tasks.
• Customer service mindset and compassionate approach to pet care.
• Physical ability to lift objects over 50 lbs and perform daily kennel duties.

Responsibilities

• Assist with moving boarded animals to cages or runs as needed.
• Familiarize with boarding pets by name and monitor their wellbeing.
• Walk dogs and interact with boarders during sessions per guidelines.
• Feed and administer medications as directed by staff.
• Record meals, water, elimination and behavior changes in charts.
• Clean and disinfect kennels, restock supplies, and maintain overall cleanliness.
• Attend hospital and departmental meetings; participate in ongoing training.
• Perform baths, nail trims, ear cleanings and other duties as requested.

Skills

Active Listening

Speaking

Time Management

Service Orientation

Physical Fitness

Job description

At University Veterinary Hospital, part of the Suveto network of hospital, we absolutely love pets and we love people too. Everything we do at our hospital in Shreveport is influenced by our desire to make life better for pets and their human families. We strive to be our clients’ trusted partner in pet care, by providing their pets’ needs for a long full life.

We are looking for full-time Animal Care Assistants to join our team! Unleashed is a full-service boarding and grooming facility that is staffed 24/7!

Our Animal Care Assistants are responsible for the needs of animals while they board or are groomed at the Unleashed facility.

Job Responsibilities:

• Assist Client Service Representative in delivering boarders to their designated cage or run.
• Become familiar with boarding pets by name.
• Walk canine boarders at regular intervals according to clinic guidelines.
• Interact with canine boarders during walks and when time permits.
• Exercise and/or interact feline boarders at regular intervals according to clinic guidelines.
• Feed boarders as instructed by clients.
• Administer medications as directed.
• Ensure all boarders who are scheduled to receive medical care by a veterinarian or technician do so before they are checked-out.
• Proactively communicate with technicians and doctors if concerns arise about a patient’s appetite, demeanor, or behavior.
• Complete any baths, nail trims, ear cleanings and timed brush outs as requested.
• Promptly records all eating, drinking, defecation, urination and any change in behavior or demeanor in the patient’s chart/cage card.
• Properly clean and disinfect boarding cages and runs following clinic guidelines and protocols.
• Maintain cleaning supplies.
• Wash, fold and store towels and blankets.
• Sweep, mop, and scrub all walls, floors and shelves in the kennel area according to the practice guidelines.
• Ensure the cleanliness of the kennel areas by taking out the trash, mopping, cleaning up any soiled cages, cleaning bowls and dishes as per clinic guidelines.
• Attend all hospital-wide meetings.
• Attend all departmental meetings.
• Continue to expand knowledge base and strive to learn new skills and take on more responsibilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Required:

• Janitorial Disinfecting Protocols: Knowledge of appropriate facility cleaning protocols and the repercussions of not following such protocols.
• Customer & Personal Service:Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer & personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Communication: Knowledge and command of the English language and the ability to communicate effectively with both staff and clients.

Skills and Abilities:

• Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking appropriate questions and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Speaking: Talking to others in a way to professionally convey information.
• Time Management: Being able to manage one’s own time and effectively handle multiple interactions at once by prioritizing appropriately.
• Service Orientation: Always actively looking for ways to help people. If you are not servicing a client or a patient help someone who is.
• Flexibility and Strength: The ability to bend, stretch, twist or reach with your body, arms and/or legs. The ability to exert maximum force to lift, push, pull or carry objects in excess of 50 lbs.

Experience:

• Kennel: 1 year (Preferred)
• Veterinary assistant: 1 year (Preferred)

Benefits:

Our employment package includes paid time off, paid holidays, medical, dental and vision insurance, pet care discounts, 401K with a true match up to 4%. In addition, all full-time hospital team members receive VSOP® grants,SUVETO’S VETERINARY STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN,at no cost to team members.VSOP® is an ownership program that tracks the value of the entire Suveto organization.

University Veterinary Hospital, part of the Suveto network of hospitals, is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.