Veterinary Assistant - Shelter Medicine

Planned PEThood of Georgia, Inc.; Lawrenceville (GA); On-site; Full time

Job summary

A leading non-profit organization in Lawrenceville seeks a Director of Development and Marketing. This role involves ensuring effective shelter medicine processes, managing surgical procedures, and providing exceptional care to shelter animals. The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication skills and a strong ability to work in a team environment. Flexibility is essential as the position may require work at various locations.

Qualifications

• Exceptional animal-handling techniques – Fear Free preferred.
• Experience with animal data systems like ClinicHQ or Shelter Buddy.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing overall herd health in a shelter and foster environment.
• Evaluate animals pre-op to assist in determining their ability to withstand surgery.
• Ensure appropriate medical records are maintained.

Skills

Animal handling

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Knowledge of DEA requirements

Basic computer skills

Tools

ClinicHQ

Shelter Buddy

PetPoint

ShelterLuv

Job description

4 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

Direct message the job poster from Planned PEThood of Georgia, Inc.

Director, Development and Marketing, Planned PEThood of Georgia

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of veterinary staff, ensure effective and efficient shelter medicine processes consistent to Planned PEThood’s standards are upheld.Represent Planned PEThood professionally and responsibly.Provide excellent pre-, peri- and post-operative care to all surgery patients. Provide exceptional care to shelter animals.Communicate compassionately and professionally to shelter staff regarding pets’ conditions when necessary.Provide thorough and compassionate examination and treatment for animals.

PRIMARY JOB FUNCTIONS – GWINNETT COUNTY

• Assist in managing overall herd health in an shelter and foster environment
• Evaluate animals pre-op to assist in determining their ability to withstand surgery
• Professionally and compassionately communicate surgical complications, pet deaths, etc. to shelter staff in a timely manner when necessary
• Work with surgeon and Veterinary Medical Director to establish daily surgical numbers with consideration for animal safety and the organizational budget
• Make recommendations to the veterinarian regarding animal statuses
• Assist with surgical sterilizations, following established guidelines for high quality, high-volume procedures
• Perform other medically necessary procedures under guidance of veterinarian while patients are present for surgery. (Administer various therapeutic measures by IV, IM, SQ, topical, oral routes, etc. - Prep and intubate (when appropriate) - Bandage/wrapping techniques - Venipuncture techniques - Swabs- Proficient animal restraint techniques - Monitor critical care animals (i.e. place IVs, monitor fluids, etc.) - Tissue sampling, routine animal manipulations, etc.)
• Assist with post-op exams as necessary to ensure appropriate recovery
• Clean surgical instruments, wrap surgical packs and ensure adequate sterilization of surgical instruments
• Ensure appropriate medical records are maintained
• Inoculate animals and provide instructions for follow-up care
• Ensure proper handling and recording of controlled substances
• Ensure accurate and timely record keeping in ClinicHQ, Shelter Buddy, ShelterLuv or other animal data system as appropriate
• Work cooperatively with relief doctors; ensuring appropriate processes are followed by the team
• Work with the shelter medicine team to ensure that inventory is maintained, and supplies are ordered in a timely manner
• Assist the staff veterinarian in ensuring that county contract requirements are met and that any issues are addressed promptly and professionally

OTHER GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain cleanliness of work areas to include sweeping, mopping, laundry and trash removal as needed at each location
• Monitor inventory and coordinate with appropriate staff members to ensure that supplies are ordered in a timely manner
• Adhere to established protocols for safety, cleanliness, and prevention of disease
• Participate in appropriate staff meetings
• Display a positive attitude and act as a motivating force for staff members
• Set an example and encourage positive teamwork and cooperation
• Communicate any issues concerning personnel or protocol with appropriate member of surgical team and/or your immediate supervisor

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to work for 10 or more hours, standing and walking
• Must be able to bend and kneel repeatedly
• Must have good hearing including ability to distinguish changes in pitch
• Must have acceptable sense of touch and smell
• Must have good range of motion in joints especially wrist, knees, elbows
• Must have good range of motion in your back for instance twisting
• Must possess excellent hand-eye coordination
• Must possess an acceptable degree of dexterity in hands and fingers
• Must have good vision including peripheral vision, fine detail, distance, depth perception and ability to focus

Emotional/Mental Requirements

• Must be able to work under stressful conditions efficiently and effectively
• Must be able to respond quickly to a variety of medical situations
• Must be able to cope with death either due to surgical complication or euthanasia
• Ability to rapidly and accurately process information
• Ability to delegate tasks
• Ability to recognize a need for assistance and ask for help
• Ability to make decisions
• Ability to cope with frustrating situations and remain calm

Potential and Prolonged Exposures

• Prolonged exposure to various aqueous solutions including but not limited to dish soap, chlorhexidine and spectra soap
• Prolonged exposure to isopropanol, hydrogen peroxide
• Potential exposure to formalin solution
• Potential/Prolonged exposure to isoflurane gas
• Prolonged exposure to quaternary ammonium cleaners and bleach
• Prolonged exposure to pressurized steam
• Potential exposure to sharps including needles and surgical blades

REQUIRED

• Willingness and ability to work with the Planned PEThood team at our contracted county animal shelters when needed – currently; Barrow County, Newton County – subject to change.Also ability to assist in Planned PEThood’s Duluth headquarters in surgery or wellness when needed
• Adjust to flexible schedule
• Knowledge of DEA requirements for handling, and reporting controlled drug inventories
• Exceptional animal-handling techniques – Fear Free preferred
• Experience with ClinicHQ, Shelter Buddy, PetPoint and/or ShelterLuv– or willingness to learn
• Excellent reading, writing and verbal skills
• Basic computer skills
• Ability to work unsupervised as well as in a team environment
• Demonstrate understanding of Standard Operating Procedures

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The offices and operations of open-admission shelters/municipalities can be high-stress and very busy at times.Exceptional teamwork is key. This position requires the individual to be flexible – workdays may be at one of Planned PEThood’s affiliate/shelter medicine locations.Work schedule is for 5 days (8-hour days) per week depending on organizational need and can include weekends.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

• Industries

  Non-profit Organizations

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Planned PEThood of Georgia, Inc. by 2x

Get notified about new Veterinary Assistant jobs in Lawrenceville, GA.

Veterinary Assistant or Veterinary Technician

Stone Mountain, GA $17.00-$20.00 3 months ago

Medical Receptionist (no experience needed)

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.