Veterinary Assistant: Shelter Medicine

New Jersey Department of Children and Families; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading provider in animal care is seeking an Animal Care Paraprofessional in Athens, Georgia. This role includes surgical assistance and medical care for animals in collaboration with veterinary students and community shelters. Ideal candidates should have a degree or certificate in veterinary science and a strong interest in shelter medicine.

Qualifications

• Technical knowledge in veterinary practices, especially shelter medicine.
• Experience working in high-paced environments, especially with animals.
• Interpersonal skills for interaction with veterinary staff and clients.

Responsibilities

• Assist with surgical and medical care for animals in shelter environments.
• Maintain animal health records and assist veterinary students.
• Participate in community outreach activities.

Skills

Shelter medicine knowledge

Animal handling

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Education

2-year degree or professional certificate in veterinary science

Job description

External Retirement Plan TRS Employment Type Employee Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible Full/Part time Full Time Work Schedule Additional Schedule Information
Monday - Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm
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
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]).
USG Core Values Statement
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.

Position Information

Classification Title Animal Care Veterinary/Animal Science Paraprofessional/Professional FLSA Non-Exempt FTE 1.00 Minimum Qualifications
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.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with and interest in shelter medicine.
Position Summary
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.
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
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.
Background Investigation Policy
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.

Duties/Responsibilities

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.
Percentage of time 50 Duties/Responsibilities
Training of senior veterinary students with the various duties performed within the shelter medicine program. Attend and provide input during patient and topic rounds.

Percentage of time 20 Duties/Responsibilities
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.
Percentage of time 20 Duties/Responsibilities
Other duties as assigned.

Percentage of time 10

Contact Information

Recruitment Contact

Contact Details
For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.
Recruitment Contact Name Annie Bullington Recruitment Contact Email [e-mail] Recruitment Contact Phone

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents