Veterinary Assistant

TULSA SPCA; Tulsa (OK); On-site; USD 18,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Tulsa SPCA is seeking a veterinary assistant to support the clinic team and provide high-quality care for animals and adopters.

The role involves daily animal care, assisting veterinarians with exams and procedures, and maintaining clinic cleanliness and records. Strong communication and customer service skills are essential for success in this fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent required; or experience in lieu of degree.
• One year of customer service experience preferred.
• General knowledge of animal welfare helpful.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required.
• Computer experience – Windows-based – preferred.
• Must be self-motivated with time-management and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide veterinary assisting within the clinic and shelter operations.
• Daily cleaning, feeding, and care for animals.
• Assist with surgeries, injections, vaccines, and exams as needed.
• Prepare, stock, and maintain exam and treatment rooms.
• Enter patient and client information accurately in records.

Skills

Strong communication

Customer service

Attention to detail

Resilience under pressure

Education

Associate degree or equivalent

Customer service experience

Job description

Department: Clinic

Reports To: Clinic Manager

Status: Non-Exempt, $16.00/hour, Full Time, 40 hours

POSITION SUMMARY

To maintain the highest of animal care standards for the animals housed or visiting the Tulsa SPCA. To work closely with the veterinarian and animal caregivers to assure the highest standards of animal health and husbandry. To provide excellent customer service with the adopters, fosters, or staff regarding questions, concerns, or any medical inquiry.

This job classification has been designated as a safety-sensitive job classification in accordance with the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act, 63 O.S., § 427.1 et seq., (OSCN 2019), effective August 29, 2019. This means employees in this job classification can be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination if they test positive for marijuana components or metabolites, even if they possess a medical marijuana license.

Tulsa SPCA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Ensure that all animals (and their owners/fosters) receive the highest quality care.
• Assist with the operation of the veterinary clinic
  • Maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the clinic
  • Prevent disease spread

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & DUTIES

• Working as veterinary assistant
• Daily cleaning, feeding, and watering
• Moving animals between housing locations
• Prepping animals for surgery
• Assist during surgery generally, and with anesthetics as needed
• Monitor recovery from surgery as needed
• Cleans, maintains, and sterilizes instruments, and equipment and stocks exam and treatment rooms
• Collect and process specimens and perform routine lab and diagnostic tests
• Assisting the veterinarian with exams, and vaccines, and procedures
• Fill medication prescriptions
• Provide emergency first aid to sick or injured animals
• Hold or restrain animals using safe techniques
• Use proper protective equipment when working with animals and chemicals
• Exit exams, make sure medications are ready to go
• Caring for animals undergoing treatment in the clinic
• Medicating shelter animals
• Initiate, monitor, update, and file correctly all relevant treatment, animal and client information in paper chart, electronic records, and any other tracking documents
• Assist with intake as required
• Job responsibilities may include any additional duties assigned as they relate to the management and wellbeing of the shelter animals, and also may include assisting with public animals as schedules and staffing may require

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
• Customer service skills -- Ability to work with staff, adopters, and foster parents
• Strong attention to detail and task orientation.
• Ability to work under pressure.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education/Experience Required

• Associate degree or equivalent required; or experience in lieu of degree.
• One year of experience in customer service-related field preferred.
• General knowledge of animal welfare helpful.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required
• Computer experience – Windows-based – preferred.
• Must be self-motivated, time-management and organizational skills required

Physical Demands

• Repetitive bending, stooping, standing, kneeling, and similar movements required for purposes of cleaning, lifting of supplies/animals.
• Must be able to physically restrain dogs weighing 50lbs +
• Noise levels in kennel areas vary.

SCHEDULE

FT position. Schedule can vary, shift changes will be necessary sometimes as will work on holidays and some overtime.