Kennel Assistant

NVA General Practice; Tuscaloosa (AL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Animal Medical Center in Tuscaloosa is seeking a Kennel Assistant & Bather to care for boarded and hospitalized animals, bathe and groom, and assist with daycare activities. No prior experience required but preferred.

You will work under supervision to ensure cleanliness, safety and humane handling of all patients. Responsibilities include feeding tracking, patient observation, discharge assistance, and maintaining kennel hygiene in a busy hospital environment.

Qualifications

• Apply knowledge and skills in controlling/handling individual animal temperament.
• Ability to gain animal confidence when restraining them for transport, grooming and/or treatment.
• Knowledge of proper methods of animal restraint.
• Knowledge of basic grooming practices for wide range of small animals.
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks as well as to accept direction on given assignments.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing client and personal services.
• Ability to use cleaning materials and equipment with skill and efficiency.
• Ability to perform moderately heavy physical labor.
• Knowledge of English language structure, spelling, and grammar.

Responsibilities

• Observe animal appearance and activity for general physical condition, signs of illness, disease and discontent.
• Handle patients and appropriately restrain them as directed.
• Walk dogs multiple times daily for exercise and elimination.
• Bathe, groom and provide Tender Loving Care to boarded and hospitalized patients.
• Provide care for animals in hospital or daycare and report issues to staff.
• Assist with intake/discharge and ensure cleanliness of patients and areas.
• Keep cages/areas labeled and organized, store belongings properly.
• Clean, disinfect and maintain kennels, runs and litter boxes.
• Launder towels and blankets as needed.
• Patrol grounds, collect trash, and assist with routine maintenance.
• Record feeding, appearance and behavior notes for boarded or hospitalized animals.

Skills

Animal temperament

Restraint techniques

Grooming basics

Independent work

Customer service

Cleaning skills

English proficiency

Job description

KENNEL ASSISTANT POSITION & BATHER (No previous work experience required but preferred)

INTRODUCTION

The Kennel Assistant functions include, but are not limited to, providing the care and basic needs of animals being boarded, baths participating in our doggy daycare program or that are patients of Animal Medical Center, including cleaning of cages and runs areas. The proper feeding and care of all boarding and hospitalized animals. The Kennel Assistant operates under the supervision of the Kennel Manager, Hospital Manager and Medical Director.

Primary Job Responsibilities

• Observe animal appearance and activity for general physical condition, obvious signs of illness, disease and discontent.
• Properly handle patients as required and appropriately restrain patients as directed.
• Walk hospitalized and boarded dogs several times a day according to hospital protocol to provide exercise and time for elimination of bowels and bladder. Socialize and exercise boarders in a safe manner at all times.
• Bathe, groom and provide Tender Loving Care to boarded and hospitalized patients.
• Provide care for pet housed/visiting the hospital. Report signs of illness, disease, injury or unusual activity to animal health technicians/veterinarians.
• Discharge and intake of patients at the request of receptionists, practitioners and veterinary assistants and technicians. Ensure that patients/boarders are clean and fresh smelling prior to discharge.
• Ensure that cages and patients are properly numbered and identified and that personal property (toys, treats, blankets, leashes) are stored in the proper area and identified.
• Clean, disinfect and maintain kennels, cages, runs and litter boxes as often as is necessary to ensure no cages or kennels are soiled and odors are not apparent. Perform general cleaning in other areas of the hospital to control the spread of disease. Wash and sterilize water and food bowls.
• Launder and dry towels and blankets.
• Patrol hospital grounds daily, picking up any trash and stool material. Empty trash.
• Collect any samples requested by the doctor or technician.
• Deep cleaning of entire hospital.
• Record information such as feeding schedules, appearance, behavior of patients that are Club Mutters boarded, groomed or hospitalized.
• Work well with all employees and ensure that your actions support the hospital, the doctors and the practice philosophy.
• Notify supervisor of needed maintenance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The Kennel Assistant works under the direct supervision of the Kennel Manager and Hospital Manager who will indicate general assignments, limitations and priorities. Practitioners/animal health technicians provide specific instructions in giving medications, feeding specific diets or following special sanitary procedures. Recurring assignments are performed independently.

Skills And Knowledge

• Apply knowledge and skills in controlling/handling individual animal temperament.
• Ability to gain animal confidence when restraining them for transport, grooming and/or treatment.
• Knowledge of proper methods of animal restraint.
• Knowledge of basic grooming practices for wide range of small animals.
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks as well as to accept direction on given assignments. Understand and carry out oral and written direction.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing client and personal services. This includes client needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of client satisfaction.
• Ability to use cleaning materials and equipment with skill and efficiency.
• Ability to perform moderately heavy physical labor.
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

PHYSICAL EFFORT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job:

• Frequently required to bend, stand, stoop, walk, sit, talk, and listen, frequently working in a bent position.
• Frequently use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel; will reach with hands and arms.
• Use strength or agility in capturing and restraining stronger, more active animals.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Occasionally handle dogs weighing up to and over 100 lbs. (Assistance will be provided by another team member when working with larger animals).