Veterinary Assistant

Dupage County; Wheaton (IL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Life insurance

Pension / retirement plan

Deferred compensation

Tuition reimbursement

Pre-paid legal services

Credit union

Job summary

DuPage County Animal Services seeks a Veterinary Assistant to provide daily medical care, monitoring, and treatment for dogs, cats, and other shelter animals. You will assist veterinarians, administer medications, and support laboratory testing and vaccinations in a busy, open-admission shelter.

You'll help with spay/neuter procedures, anesthesia monitoring, record-keeping, and collaboration with staff, volunteers, and adopters.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum one year of veterinary assistant experience.
• Illinois driver’s license required.
• Veterinary Assistant Certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides daily medical care, treatment, and monitoring for shelter animals.
• Assists the veterinarian and veterinary technician with examinations, diagnostics, treatments, and procedures.
• Administers medications, vaccinations, and other prescribed treatments.
• Cleans and disinfects clinical areas and equipment; handles laboratory testing and sample preparation.
• Assists with spay/neuter surgeries and anesthesia monitoring; manages post-operative care.

Skills

Veterinary assistance

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Veterinary Assistant Certification (preferred)

Illinois Driver’s License

Job description

We are pleased to offer the current job opportunity for a Veterinary Assistant position in the Animal Services Department.

DuPage County Animal Services (DCAS) is an immediate open admission shelter caring for more than 2,300 animals of varying species annually.

This position is eligible for our complete benefit package including medical, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, pension, deferred compensation plan, tuition reimbursement, pre-paid legal and credit union.

To learn more about the cost and coverage of the benefits plan, visit Employees Benefit Information.

For detailed information on paid time off, visit Employee Policy Manual, Section 5.

DuPage County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Responsibilities Include:

• Provides daily medical care, treatment, and monitoring for dogs, cats, and other animals in the shelter (including daily medication administration and supportive care to critical animals).
• Observes shelter animals and communicates medical and behavioral observations to the shelter veterinarian including monitoring Daily Observation logs for all animals.
• Assists the shelter veterinarian and veterinary technician with examinations, diagnostics, treatments, and medical procedures.
• Administers medications (e.g. as injections, oral medication, topical treatments, etc.), vaccinations, microchip implantation, and other treatments as prescribed.
• Cleans/Disinfects clinic areas, including cages, surgical equipment, animal transport devices, etc.
• Performs and assists with laboratory testing, including collection and processing of blood, urine, fecal, and other diagnostic samples. Prepares samples for outside laboratory analysis including accurate preparation and coordinating pickup.
• Assists with spay/neuter and all other surgical procedures, including anesthetic induction, aseptic patient preparation, and post-operative recovery.
• Monitors patients during anesthesia and surgical procedures and recognizes potential complications.
• Cleans instruments, wraps surgical packs, and operates autoclave to sanitize surgical equipment.
• Performs routine treatments such as wound care, bandage changes, ear cleaning, nail trims, and other veterinary procedures within the scope of practice.
• Monitors animals for signs of illness, injury, pain, behavioral changes, or other medical concerns and promptly communicates findings to the veterinarian.
• Assists with animal intake examinations, health assessments, vaccinations, and preparation for adoption.
• Maintains accurate and timely medical records, treatment notes, medication records, and surgical documentation.
• Follows established protocols for infectious-disease prevention, isolation, sanitation, and shelter biosecurity.
• Safely and humanely handles and restrains animals using appropriate, low-stress handling techniques.
• Maintains clean, organized, and sanitary treatment, surgical, isolation, clinic, and animal-care areas.
• Maintains stock of medical supplies in surgery room, prep room, clinic, and clinic support areas (Euthanasia room, Intake, Cat Holding, Flex Spaces, etc.)
• Provides basic medical-care guidance to shelter staff, volunteers, foster caregivers, and adopters as appropriate.
• Provides medical support for fosters including performing routine vaccinations/weight checks, maintaining foster surgical schedule, and advising fosters on medical concerns, treatments, and course of action.
• Collaborates with animal-care, behavior, foster, adoption, and administrative teams to support positive outcomes for shelter animals.
• Assists with emergency and urgent medical cases as needed. Including providing critical care such as fluid administration, CPR, etc. for critically ill or injured patients.
• Participates in continuing education and remains current with shelter medicine and veterinary-care practices.
• Maintains accurate records including Labeling Drugs/chemicals and SDS Binder, Controlled substance logs, etc.
• Places appropriate communicative signage when applicable- i.e. NPO, Caution, Special Diet, Contagious, etc.
• Participates in maintaining medical inventory by communicating inventory shortages/surplus’ with technician and veterinarian.
• Completes adoption packets for animals going up for adoption (rabies certificate, state medical disclosure, medical record, microchip info, booster info etc.)
• Transports animals to/from off-site veterinary hospitals/locations for diagnostics, medical, or surgical care.
• Maintains regular attendance and punctuality.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Non-essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Adjusts work assignments and schedules in the event of an emergency to participate in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities as assigned.
• Depending on assignment may maintain required emergency management training, licensure and/or certifications.
• Performs related duties as required or assigned within job classification.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Education and/or Experience

• Completion of a High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• One (1) year of experience as a Veterinary Assistant or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Must possess and maintain in good standing a valid Illinois Driver’s License.
• Veterinary Assistant Certification from an accredited program is preferred.

A pre-employment background check is required.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Heavy Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Use of arm and /or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than for medium work.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This is a hands‑on position in an animal shelter and veterinary‑care environment. The role involves working with animals with a wide range of medical and behavioral needs and may include exposure to animal waste, loud noises, unfavorable odors, infectious (including zoonotic) diseases, injured/distressed/fractious animals, and emotionally challenging situations. They may be subject to animal bites/scratches and sharp objects. Employees will be exposed to supplies commonly used in a veterinary setting including, but not limited to anesthetic gases, X‑Ray Irradiation (within appropriate OSHA standards.)