Part-Time Veterinary Pharmacy Assistant

Chimp Haven; Keithville (LA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Training & development

Competitive salary

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Chimp Haven is seeking a Part-Time Veterinary Pharmacy Assistant to support chimpanzee care by organizing medications, maintaining records, and aiding pharmacy operations under veterinary supervision. Training will be provided; this role emphasizes accuracy, organization, and safety in a sanctuary setting.

Approximately 20 hours per week with days and occasional weekends/holidays; non-exempt, staff in Veterinary Care.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Accuracy, organization, dependability, and ability to follow procedures.
• Basic arithmetic and computer skills; willingness to learn terminology.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, organize, and label medication containers per orders.
• Maintain logs, records, and pharmacy tracking systems accurately.
• Organize and clean the pharmacy and storage areas following safety procedures.
• Assist with stock, inventory counts, and expiration-date checks.
• Follow storage, security, and disposal protocols; assist with controlled-substance records as allowed.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Data entry

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Inventory software

Medical records systems

Job description

Benefits

• Training & development
• Competitive salary
• Flexible schedule

Part-Time Veterinary Pharmacy Assistant

Job classification: Non-exempt

Schedule: Approximately 20 hours per week; days, with occasional weekends or holidays as operationally needed

Department: Veterinary Care

Risk level: 3

The Veterinary Pharmacy Assistant supports safe, accurate, and timely medication preparation and pharmacy operations for chimpanzees at Chimp Haven. The position focuses on medication organization, inventory, recordkeeping, and routine departmental support under the direction of veterinary personnel. Formal veterinary technical skills are preferred but not required; training will be provided for assigned duties. This is a support position and is not interchangeable with a credentialed or fully trained Veterinary Technician role.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare, organize, and label individual medication containers and AM/PM medication distributions according to approved veterinary orders and established procedures; obtain required verification before release.
• Maintain medication logs, distribution records, treatment-related documentation, and pharmacy tracking systems accurately and promptly; report discrepancies immediately.
• Organize, clean, and maintain the pharmacy, medication trays, containers, storage areas, and related supplies using infection-control and safety procedures.
• Assist with receipt, stocking, inventory counts, expiration-date checks, reorder notifications, and identification of shortages or damaged products.
• Follow medication storage, security, handling, and disposal protocols; assist with controlled-substance records only as specifically authorized and supervised.
• Communicate medication supply needs, missing information, inconsistencies, and time-sensitive concerns to the veterinarian or designated veterinary technician.
• Provide routine nonclinical support such as stocking exam areas, organizing equipment, preparing supplies, and supporting documentation.
• Observe and report relevant animal health or medication-administration concerns encountered during assigned duties; assist with medication distribution only when trained and authorized.
• Assist with additional clinical or animal-care activities only after task-specific training, competency assessment, and authorization, consistent with applicable law and organizational policy.
• Participate in team training, safety procedures, and cross-departmental coordination; perform other related duties within the position’s training and scope.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; relevant combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated accuracy, organization, dependability, discretion, and ability to follow written instructions and standardized procedures.
• Basic arithmetic, reading comprehension, and computer/data-entry skills; willingness to learn medication terminology and documentation systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and recognize when to seek clarification or escalation,
• Interest in animal welfare and ability to work safely in a sanctuary environment.

Preferred Qualifications (Not Required)

• Experience in veterinary medicine, animal care, pharmacy support, medication inventory, healthcare, laboratory operations, or comparable detail-oriented work.
• Veterinary assistant or technician training; experience with nonhuman primates or other exotic animals.
• Experience with inventory software, medical records, medication labeling, or pharmacy workflows.

Supervision and Scope

Reports to the Director of Veterinary Care or designee and works under the direction of designated veterinary personnel. Does not independently diagnose, prescribe, alter treatment orders, perform restricted veterinary technical procedures, or make clinical decisions. All medication handling and animal-contact duties are subject to training, verification, authorization, and applicable requirements.