Veterinary Assistant: Shelter Medicine

Davita Inc.; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in veterinary medicine seeks a Veterinary Assistant for its shelter medicine program in Athens. The role involves providing surgical and medical care for animals alongside experienced veterinarians. Responsibilities include maintaining health records, ordering supplies, and supervising student activities. Candidates should possess a relevant 2-year degree and have a strong interest in shelter medicine.

Qualifications

• Technical knowledge in the field acquired through apprenticeship or college.
• Experience with shelter medicine preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with surgical and medical care of animals.
• Maintaining animal health records and ordering supplies.
• Supervising surgical recovery and teaching veterinary students.

Skills

Knowledge of shelter medicine

Excellent interpersonal skills

Technical skills including animal handling

Ability to work in fast-paced environment

Education

2-year degree or professional certificate

Job description

Posting Details

Posting Details

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia's oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly formed School of Medicine.

Monday - Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ([e-mail]).

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Posting Number	S13733P
Working Title	Veterinary Assistant: Shelter Medicine
Department	VetMed-Small Animal Med & Surg
About the University of Georgia
About the College/Unit/Department
College/Unit/Department website
Posting Type	External
Retirement Plan	TRS
Employment Type	Employee
Benefits Eligibility	Benefits Eligible
Full/Part time	Full Time
Work Schedule
Additional Schedule Information
Advertised Salary	$30,000 - $47,500.
Posting Date	06/16/2025
Open until filled	Yes
Closing Date
Proposed Starting Date	07/21/2025
Special Instructions to Applicants
Location of Vacancy	Athens Area
EEO Policy Statement
USG Core Values Statement

Position Information

Requires technical knowledge in the field acquired through an apprenticeship, a 2-year degree, or professional certificate. Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualifications.

Experience with and interest in shelter medicine.

This person is a University of Georgia employee assigned to the clinical shelter medicine program, currently located at the Athens Area Humane Society. This position is responsible for assisting with the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine's clinical shelter medicine program. The position is responsible for working with one or more UGA shelter medicine veterinarians to provide surgical and medical care of unowned and client-owned animals being treated by the College of Veterinary Medicine's shelter medicine program in collaboration with the Athens Area Humane Society and other area shelters. A significant portion of effort will be spent caring for dogs and cats during spay/neuter or dental procedures performed by veterinary students under the supervision of faculty veterinarians.

Typical duties include maintaining animal health records, maintaining and ordering supplies, collecting and analyzing specimens, conducting physical exams and diagnostics, holding and restraining animals for veterinary procedures, administering medications, preparing animals for surgery, monitoring anesthesia, supervising surgical recovery, participating in community outreach, and teaching veterinary students treatment and procedure skills.

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Classification Title	Animal Care Veterinary/Animal Science Paraprofessional/Professional
FLSA	Non-Exempt
FTE	1.00
Minimum Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Position Summary
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies	Knowledge of and interest in shelter medicine. Ability to work collegially with veterinarians, veterinary and shelter staff, and students in a fast-paced shelter environment. Excellent interpersonal skills. Interact and effectively communicate with various personalities in different clinical settings. Technical skills including animal handling, phlebotomy, medication dose calculation, knowledge of animal anatomy, medical terminology, anesthetic induction and recovery, and knowledge of disease transmission in a shelter environment. Knowledge of surgical instruments and sterile technique. Clean, maintain, and sterilize surgical instruments and equipment. Predict need, organize, and order supplies. Ability to carry out both verbal and written instructions. Ability to work in a fast-paced, sometimes stressful, environment. Exhibit attention to detail.
Physical Demands	Lift and carry up to 50 pounds. Standing and walking eight hours per day with frequent bending, kneeling, stooping, and reaching. Use of manual dexterity sufficient to accurately work with small, delicate pieces of equipment or large heavy objects/containers/machinery. Wearing all protective gear including mask, gloves, gown, hairnet, and safety goggles, needed for surgery and to prevent disease transmission. Driving to perform job related duties.
Is driving a responsibility of this position?	Yes
Is this a Position of Trust?	Yes
Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?	No
Does this position require a P-Card?	No
Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?	No
Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?	Yes
Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications)	Yes
Credit and P-Card policy
Background Investigation Policy

Duties/Responsibilities

Day to day duties include spay, neuter, dental procedures, other soft tissue surgical procedures, otic lavage, wound clipping, prepping, flushing, bandaging, casts, catheterize, venipuncture, cystocentesis, injections, medicating, drug dose calculations, reconstituting and administering drugs including controlled drugs, administering fluid therapy. Providing safe and humane restraint of animals for veterinary procedures. Receiving shelter and client-owned patients, client communication, participating in patient exams, developing anesthesia protocols, anesthetic maintenance, taking radiographs, obtaining specimens and performing diagnostic tests. Scrub and assist with surgical procedures under immediate supervision. Pre- and post-surgical patient care. Records maintenance within the shelter medical records program, PetPoint and ClinicHQ. Clean, maintain, and sterilize surgical instruments and equipment. Predict need, organize, and order supplies.

Duties/Responsibilities
Percentage of time	50

Training of senior veterinary students with the various duties performed within the shelter medicine program. Attend and provide input during patient and topic rounds.

Duties/Responsibilities
Percentage of time	20

Participate in community outreach and collaboration with local shelters and rescues under faculty direction, to include periodically driving a UGA vehicle for shelter tours and other outreach opportunities.

Duties/Responsibilities
Percentage of time	20

Other duties as assigned.

Duties/Responsibilities
Percentage of time	10