Veterinarian Assistant UN

City of Albuquerque; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Albuquerque is seeking a dedicated Veterinary Assistant to join Animal Services. You will assist the veterinarian in examinations, treatment, surgery support, and postmortem work, while ensuring humane handling and adherence to policies.

You will perform lab tasks, manage animal histories, handle routine sanitation, administer medications as directed, and coordinate with staff for scheduling and foster programs, including weekend shifts.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; Two years veterinary assistant or animal handling experience.
• Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License.
• Possession of City Operator's Permit (COP) within six months from date of hire.
• Possession of a valid Veterinary Assistant Certificate preferred.
• Possession of a valid euthanasia technician license within six months from date of hire.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarian in medical examinations, treatment, surgery support and postmortem work; prepare instruments and anesthetics.
• Coordinate activities of shelter personnel in emergency or critical care for shelter animals.
• Perform laboratory tests or prepare specimens for analysis; maintain sanitation in surgery, treatment and lab areas.
• Maintain animal history and related records; monitor health and daily care for clinic animals.
• Administer medications as directed; follow procedures for processing animals in and out of the Clinic.
• Assist in humane euthanasia procedures; ensure safe and humane handling during the procedure.
• Interact with the public regarding treatment protocols; assist in education and foster programs.

Skills

Animal handling

Surgical assistance

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Position Summary

Assist, and participate in providing humane veterinary and husbandry services to a variety of animals within Animal Services; apply knowledge of humane animal care, handling, behavior, husbandry and veterinary hospital practices; work toward the goal of increased placement of adoptable animals; ensure quality of work and adherence to established policies and procedures; perform, or assist in the performance of, euthanasia procedures; perform the more technical and complex tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

This is a safety sensitive position subject to random drug/alcohol testing.

This is an unclassified at-will position.

Job descriptions are intended to present a general list of tasks/duties performed by employees within this job classification. Job Descriptions are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

Essential And Supplemental Functions

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essentialfunctions may include, but are not limited to the functions listed below. Mustbe able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without areasonable accommodation.

• Assist Veterinarian in the medical examination, treatment, surgery, emergency care and postmortem examination of animals; prepare instruments for surgery; prepare and catalog postmortem specimens; prepare animals for surgery by shaving, scrubbing and disinfecting surgical site; prepare anesthetics, vaccines and antibiotics; ensure animals are handled and restrained humanely during all procedures.
• Coordinate the activities of other shelter personnel involved in the delivery of emergency or critical care for shelter animals.
• Perform laboratory tests, such as hematology, parasitology and urinalysis, or prepare specimens for laboratory analysis.
• Provide veterinary hospital and laboratory sanitation, including sanitizing and maintaining the surgery, treatment and lab/necropsy areas, etc.
• Maintain animal history and other related records.
• Maintain inventory of veterinary supplies, drugs and equipment; organize and prepare equipment for use and order appropriate supplies from approved sources, utilizing approved methods.
• Monitor, record and report the health and well-being of assigned animals; provide daily care for animals assigned to clinic and quarantine including feeding and cleaning.
• Administer medications as directed by the veterinarian.
• Follow accepted procedures for processing animals into and out of the Clinic.
• Assist in the identification of sick, injured or diseased animals; take precautions to prevent the spread of disease to other animals or humans; recommend veterinary care; administer first aid, medications or other treatment.
• Provide emergency or critical veterinary care for shelter animals.
• Make scheduled rounds of shelter to inspect animals; record observations and follow up treatment.
• Perform or assist in the performance of, humane animal euthanasia procedures; assist in selection of or concurrence with Euthanasia decisions; verify designated animals to be euthanized; ensure safe and humane handling of animals during procedure.
• Interact with the public regarding treatment protocols and answer questions.
• Work with volunteers and assist in the implementation of a foster program.
• Coordinate with Kennel Supervisor and Animal Handlers for the scheduling of surgery and medical examination of animals.
• Participate in the education and training of Animal Care staff, volunteers and the public in animal health and shelter related issues.

Supplemental Functions

• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of humane animal handling and Veterinary Science.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum Education, Experience And Additional Requirements

Education directly related to the minimum requirements below may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

High school diploma or GED; Two (2) years of Veterinary Assistant or animal handling work experience in an animal services facility, animal clinic, animal hospital or in a private veterinary practice setting.

Additional Requirements

Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License.

Possession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within six (6) months from date of hire.

Possession of a valid Veterinary Assistant Certificate preferred.Possession of a valid euthanasia technician license issued by the State of New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department within six (6) months from date of hire.

Working Conditions

Environmental

Animal shelter environment; exposure to a variety of domestic and wild animals, animal body fluids, waste and infectious materials; outdoor and or inclement weather conditions; may be exposed to hostile or abusive members of the public; exposure to noise. Must be able to work weekends, nights and holidays.

Physical

Essential and supplemental functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for moderate to heavy lifting; bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling; sitting or standing for prolonged periods; walking; operating motorized equipment.