Veterinary Assistant

Position Summary & Duties Responsible

POSITION SUMMARY

Veterinary Assistant will provide support to veterinarians and veterinary technicians in medical and surgical care of the animals. Assist with basic care and treatment, administer medication, and vaccines. Sanitize surgical instruments/equipment, assist with surgical procedures and post-operative care. Draw blood samples, perform basic laboratory tests, and provide quality medical care and support. May use cremation unit. Work under the direction of a licensed veterinarian.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

SURGICAL DUTIES

• Assist veterinary medical staff with all surgeries including anesthesia administration, recording controlled substances, intubation of animals, surgical site preparation, and observation under anesthesia and recovery.
• Assist in the daily set up of the surgical suite, record oxygen/temperature logs, perform pre-surgical equipment checks and maintenance to ensure properly functioning equipment.
• Clean surgical instruments daily, prepare surgical packs, and operate sterilization equipment; Clean, sanitize, and disinfect treatment area and surgical suite daily; Restock medical supplies.
• Receive daily drop-off and release animals that come into the facility for surgical procedures. Review post-operative care instructions and/or medical conditions of animals.

• Assist Veterinary medical staff with daily rounds/observation of health and welfare of animals in the clinic and throughout the shelter. (a) Report injuries and irregular behavior of animals to Veterinarian, Director, or Sheltering Manager. (b) Follow up on the health observations reported by staff and volunteers and advise the Veterinarian regarding animals that need further medical care. (c) Assist with triage and treatment of emergency patients.
• Assist in the identification of possible infectious disease outbreaks. Work with the Veterinarian and other staff to take appropriate preventive action.
• Medicate and perform treatments on hospitalized animals. Properly log controlled substances. Perform basic laboratory procedures, sample collection, and testing as directed.
• Enter and maintain health, treatment, test results, surgery, and medication records in the database for all animals.
• Provide daily husbandry and care of animals in the clinic, transition, and isolation areas; restock supplies; and disinfect medical outdoor exercise areas following proper sanitation protocols.
• Administer vaccines, implant microchips, and perform initial screening examinations on new arrivals, foster animals, and recheck appointments.
• Obtain radiographic studies, following radiation safety protocols, under the direction of the Veterinarian.
• Perform and assist with euthanasia of animals; ensure safe and humane handling of animals and drugs during procedure.
• Assist in maintaining inventory of medications, vaccines, and medical supplies to ensure availability and timely ordering. Remove expired products.

• Responsible for obtaining a Euthanasia Technician (EUT) license and accumulating annual Continuing Education Credits to maintain the EUT license through the New Mexico Board of Veterinary Medicine.
• Assist with training and teaching of students, interns, and other staff.
• Perform duties of lower-level classifications, as needed in emergent situations, to provide adequate coverage and customer service; work as a team with department staff to ensure cross functionality and back up support as needed.
• Promote humane awareness toward the care and treatment of animals through training, education, and outreach programs.
• Assist with medical functions for emergency disaster operations.
• Perform other job-related duties as required or assigned.

*The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required of all employees assigned to this job.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate degree plus one (1) year experience working with animals in a clinic, shelter or a professional animal establishment; OR any related combination of education from an accredited college or university or related experience totaling three (3) years working with animals in a clinic, shelter or a professional animal establishment. Related education and experience may substitute for the required education and experience may be interchangeable on a year for year basis.
• Must obtain a Euthanasia License (EUT) through the New Mexico Board of Veterinary Medicine and maintain during employment.

Supplemental Information

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The offer of this Bernalillo County position requires compliance with the following:

• Employee must successfully complete the post-offer employment medical examination and background investigation.
• Employee must comply with the safety guidelines of the County.
• Employee must complete required FEMA training(s) as assigned to position.
• Employee must have a valid New Mexico driver’s license by employment date and retain a valid NM driver’s license while employed in this position.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Duties are performed primarily indoors, although the duties may be performed outdoors when managing field operations or doing field investigations. When duties are performed outdoors, a County vehicle may be used.
• Indoor duties are performed in a temperature-controlled environment.
• Worker is exposed to natural weather conditions while performing outdoor duties.
• Indoor duties are performed in a facility setting with cement, carpeted or tiled floors.
• Outdoor duties are performed on surfaces which may be even or uneven, wet, or dry. Stairs may be required in performing indoor or outdoor duties. Outdoor duties may be performed on natural ground, asphalt, concrete, snow, ice, or mud.
• Work hazards or potential work hazards include use of vehicle, stairs, exposure to extreme weather conditions, driving in adverse weather conditions.
• Worker may be exposed to animals, aggressive animals, animal bites, disease, odors, animal dander, animal byproducts and chemicals.
• Worker performs duties alone or as part of a select team.
• Worker is exposed to intermittent noise or vibration factors, particularly when driving County vehicle over unsurfaced roads.
• Worker may be required to be on-call as necessary to include evenings, weekends and holidays.

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS AND MATERIALS

• Equipment used in performing duties includes computer, multi-line telephone, two-way radio, facsimile (fax) machine, photocopy machine, and computer printer.
• Operate a variety of veterinary diagnostic and surgical instruments and animal care and handling equipment in a humane, safe and effective manner.
• Handles a variety of forms and paperwork, writing utensils, and other basic office supplies while performing duties.
• May use a variety of equipment including but not limited to a net, rope, leash, snare, squeeze cage, halters, tranquilizing equipment, ladders, horse trailer, and camera in the performance duties.
• Operates a County vehicle as needed.

Equal Opportunity Employer

County of Bernalillo is an equal opportunity employer.