Shelter Veterinary Assistant II: Health, Care & Diagnostics

City of Indianapolis and Marion County; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Indianapolis and Marion County's Animal Care Services is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to support shelter medicine, triage medical needs, and assist with veterinary duties as required.

The role requires administering medications, assisting with rounds, maintaining medical records, and handling potentially aggressive animals. Weekend/evening hours may be required, with a minimum of two years' experience in a veterinary setting.

Qualifications

• Must have at least two years working experience as a veterinary assistant in a veterinary clinic or animal shelter.
• Must be able to communicate with a culturally diverse staff and public and always display professional and courteous behavior.
• Must be able to write legibly and learn to use the shelter management computer system.
• Weekend and evening hours may be required.
• Must have a strong knowledge of animal health and diseases.

Responsibilities

• Administer medications to animals
• Assesses the health of animals in the shelter
• Assists the veterinarian during shelter rounds
• Provides input on euthanasia decisions for medical reasons
• Performs animal euthanasia
• Performs diagnostic skin scrapes on animals
• Performs diagnostic fecal parasite tests on animals
• Utilizes equipment to perform diagnostics including bloodwork and x-rays
• Clips and cleans wounds
• Assesses animals for pregnancy
• Assesses animals for fleas, ear mites, and other external parasites
• Enters and updates animal medical records
• Grooms severely neglected animals
• Monitors medical supply inventory
• Transports animals to veterinary clinics for spay-neuter surgery or other medical treatments
• Prepares medications
• Assist with procedures including but not limited to ear cleanings, dental cleanings, iv catheter placement, and bandage changes

Skills

Communication skills

Animal handling

Diagnostic tests

Shelter knowledge

Job description

The City of Indianapolis and Marion County's Animal Care Services is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to support shelter medicine, triage medical needs, and assist with veterinary duties as required.

The role requires administering medications, assisting with rounds, maintaining medical records, and handling potentially aggressive animals. Weekend/evening hours may be required, with a minimum of two years' experience in a veterinary setting.