Veterinary Assistant

PAWS Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

PAWS Chicago is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to support shelter medicine teams and provide high-quality care to animals. You will assist veterinarians and technicians with exams, vaccinations, sampling, and basic treatments while maintaining compassionate care.

You will perform basic lab work, prep for radiographs, assist with medication preparation, and help supervise externs and volunteers in a fast-paced, collaborative environment focused on safety and animal welfare.

Qualifications

• Passion for animals and animal welfare.
• Basic medical knowledge including disease symptoms and transmission, animal restraint, and treatment administration.
• Knowledge of prescription medications, procedures, and processes.
• Previous experience working with animals required.

Responsibilities

• Assist Shelter Veterinarians in medical exams, including restraint, microchipping, blood draws, and vaccinations.
• Provide quality care to pets across life stages.
• Monitor animals for disease, injuries, parasites, and report findings.

Skills

Animal care

Medical knowledge

Restraint techniques

Computer skills

Teamwork

Job description

Job Summary

The Veterinary Assistant plays a crucial role in the medical care of the animals at PAWS Chicago. They work closely with the Shelter Medicine Veterinarians and Technicians to ensure that each animal receives the highest quality of care. Our Veterinary Assistants are given the opportunity for skill development and career advancement.

The Veterinary Assistant plays a crucial role in the medical care of the animals at PAWS Chicago. They work closely with the Shelter Medicine Veterinarians and Technicians to ensure that each animal receives the highest quality of care. Our Veterinary Assistants are given the opportunity for skill development and career advancement.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists Shelter Veterinarians in medical exams; involves but is not limited to restraint, microchipping, blood draws, and vaccinations.
• Provides quality care to pets of all life stages from neonates to seniors.
• Helps monitor animals for disease, injuries, parasites, and other possible health concerns and reports to Shelter Veterinarians.
• Collects samples for and conducts laboratory tests including fecal examinations and use of in house IDEXX blood machines; records test results as directed.
• Vaccinates and administers preventatives on intake and as needed.
• Assists in preparing medication and administering treatments as prescribed.
• Assists in performing digital radiographs.
• Maintains a disease-free or contained environment to ensure the health of the whole population.
• Operates a computer, basic office equipment, medical equipment and instruments, laboratory equipment and diagnostic instruments, etc. and exercises care and safety in the use and maintenance of the equipment.
• Proactively works with externs and volunteers.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Passion for animals and animal welfare.
• Basic medical knowledge including disease symptoms and transmission, animal restraint, and treatment administration.
• Knowledge of prescription medications, procedures, and processes.
• Previous experience working with animals required.
• Ability to be flexible, work independently, demonstrate sound judgment, and work in a fast paced, dynamic, collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.

PAWS Chicago Values-in-Action

• Respect: for each and every life.
• Community: of people and organizations committed to helping homeless pets.
• Innovation: to constantly improve best practices and seek out new ideas and strategies to save more lives. To be a Learning Center that evolves and grows.
• Pro-activity: to solve difficult problems and to be prepared to offer emergency and crisis support.
• Transparency: that informs the public about the fate of homeless animals.
• Education: that raises awareness about the realities that homeless animals face in the community and across the nation, providing a forum for people to get involved in effecting change, and promoting and supporting reasonable pet ownership.
• Sustainability: through financial management practices that maximize the impact and reach of our resources and ensure that PAWS Chicago will always be a resource for homeless animals.
• Compassion: towards all people and animals.

NOTE: PAWS Chicago reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this job description, as it desires. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties, including essential duties, to be performed by the employee occupying this position. This job description is not an employment contract, implied or otherwise. The employment relationship remains “at-will.” The job requirements may be changed to fulfill any obligation(s) to reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, including ancillary options and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick days, and holidays.