Spay/Neuter Veterinary Assistant

Position:             Spay & Neuter Clinic Vet Assistant

Department:         Clinic

Reports To:           Clinic Manager

Location:               2533 Sullivan Rd, Atlanta, GA 30337

Summary:

LifeLine Animal Project is committed to the care and welfare of pets and the people who love them.  The values we exhibit as an organization show the strength of our staff, our leadership and our community.  We expect all employees to exhibit LifeLine’s core values as we complete daily tasks, provide services to clients and care for our animals.

The Spay & Neuter Clinic Vet Assistant is responsible for performing a variety of duties concerned with animal health and client education. This position plays a crucial role in preparing animals for surgery, monitoring their recovery, and alerting senior staff to any signs of distress. As a representative of our hospital and nonprofit organization, the Spay & Neuter Clinic Vet Assistant must provide exceptional customer service, maintain positive professional relationships with all team members, and handle all interactions with compassion and a commitment to animal welfare.

Essential Job Functions:

This represents a list of essential job duties.   Other duties or special projects may be assigned as needed.

Uphold the standards and values of LifeLine Animal Project:

Save Lives -- Build Community -- Be Exceptional Stewards -- Be Courageous -- 

Be Compassionate -- Take Responsibility -- Respect, Embrace and Celebrate Diversity

Administrative and Operational Responsibilities:

• Take responsibility to address any errors found with the clinic schedule to help maintain an even and consistent flow.
• Organize the work area and exercise time-management skills to maximize personal efficiency.
  • Exhibit exceptional stewardship by maintaining cleanliness and orderliness of surgery equipment and clinic.

Patient and Surgical Care:

• Prep animals for surgery, including but not limited to giving pre-surgical medications, shaving the incision site, intubating patients, and monitoring patients post-surgery.
• Save lives by alerting the surgery doctor if a patient is showing any signs of distress post-surgery (breathing issues, difficulty waking up from surgery, allergic reaction to any medication given pre or post-surgery).
• Depending on the day's assignment, prepare all pre-surgical medications, assist in preparing the animal for surgery, and monitor the animal post-surgery.

Professional Relations and Communication:

• Provide excellent customer service to all clients and visitors.
• Recognize non-routine or unusual situations and courageously communicate them to the Clinic Supervisor, Clinic Manager, Clinic Director, and/or Medical Director.
• Respect, embrace, and celebrate diversity by always operating with a judgement-free mindset and welcome visitors with a friendly and professional demeanor. Provide fair and impartial treatment to each team mate.
• Alert management of any interpersonal problems with the desk staff.
• Serve as a representative of the hospital, displaying courtesy, tact, compassion, and a positive attitude in all interactions with clients, patients, and other staff members.

General Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate initiative in everyday duties by seeking other work during down times, assisting other employees, and filling in for other employees as needed.
• Help build a community of animal welfare advocates by supporting and engaging the volunteers who aid LifeLine.
• Continue education by participating in LifeLine’s 40-hour annual training requirement.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• Compassion for animals and the people who love and care for them.
• Ability to show empathy toward clients and treat animals with respect and compassion.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and a commitment to outstanding client service.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong work ethic with the ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate with various departments, personnel, vendors, volunteers and outside agencies.
• Ability to serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity.
• Knowledge of customer service as well as general animal care principles and practices.
• Ability to stand for extended periods (8 hours a day) and to bend and reach to perform assigned work activities.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. without assistance.
• Ability to interact with public and shelter dogs, cats and other animals including vicious, stray, sick or injured animals. Ability to handle seeing and dealing with animals that have been abused, neglected or treated cruelly.
• Knowledge of common cat and dog illnesses.
• Knowledgeable of different types of prevention (heartworm, flea, tick) and is able to assist the client in choosing the appropriate prevention for their pets.
• Ability to learn animal management software systems and accurately enter information into the software system.  
• Ability to accurately manage and record detailed information in medical records and other data-management systems. 
• Knowledge of spelling and meaning of commonly used veterinary terminology and procedures.  
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and varying shifts based on clinic needs.
• Must be available to work one weekend a month for the Vaccine Clinic.
• Must have a means of travel that ensures prompt arrival for work shifts.
• Must pass a background check.

Education and/or Experience:

Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent. One or more years’ experience in veterinary assistant/technician role preferred. Certification in euthanasia may be required. Valid, Georgia Drivers license may be required. Registered Veterinary Technician a plus. 

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to unpleasant kennel smells.  May be exposed to bites, scratches, animal waste, and contagious diseases.