Animal Groomer and Bather bathes and grooms animals. May require a high school diploma or its equivalent and 0-2 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Being an Animal Groomer and Bather has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. Additionally, Animal Groomer and Bather works under immediate supervision. Primary job functions do not typically require exercising independent judgment. Typically reports to a supervisor/manager. (Copyright 2024 Salary.com)
Job Description
Job Title: Animal Care Associate
Department: Medical Team
Reports To: Practice Manager
Status: Non-Exempt Prepared By: Practice Manager
SUMMARY
Animal Care Associates are responsible for providing support to medical staff and the shelter veterinarian and administering care as appropriate to animals in the care of Animal Allies Humane Society. This is a great opportunity for individuals with an interest in animal welfare and/or medicine to learn valuable skills and gain experience in the fields. Animal Care Associates are ambassadors of AAHS at all times and shall present themselves in a positive manner during work hours. This individual should have a strong commitment to the mission and vision of Animal Allies Humane Society and be able to work cross-functionally with team members, volunteers and members of the public to create a positive workplace culture.
PURPOSE
Animal Allies Humane Society believes that every animal deserves a chance for a humane outcome. Care protocols are not driven by clients but by compassion. Our Animal Care Associates work closely with our Shelter Veterinarian and Practice Manager to render the best care our facility can appropriately provide.
EDUCATION: Associate’s degree in a science, human services, OR Veterinary Assistant Certification or similar education preferred. Animal training experience is heavily preferred. Combination of education and experience may be substituted for a degree.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
● Assist with intake examinations on all incoming animals
● Assist with providing vaccinations and performing blood draws
● Administer medications to animals as prescribed by the veterinarian
● Assist with determining animal behavior, health, or other concerns and inform the correct people
● Prepare patients for a variety of procedures
● Safely restrain patients during examinations and other procedures
● Transport patients from kennels to medical room
● Transport animals to and from outside veterinary services such as spay/neuter and appointments
● Perform medical inventory under the supervision of the team lead.
● Assist with handling and unloading transport animals.
● Maintain communication with Adoption and Kennel staff regarding the animals in our care, including suggesting moves of the animals throughout the building
● Provide excellent patient care
● Perform daily cleaning of medical area, especially in between patients
● Wash and sterilize equipment throughout the day
● Clean medical areas including mopping and sweeping
● Coordinating laboratory tests
● Performing fecal flotations and other diagnostic tests
● Entering medical records and other information into our Pet Point record keeping system
● Other duties may be performed as required or assigned by the Practice Manager or Team Lead
● Writing behavioral plans for animals that need them.
● Counter conditioning training animals for medical exams, including muzzle desensitization.
● Commiting to enriching the animals and tracking enrichment hours.
● Keeping emotional welfare logs.
● Corresponding with AAHS fosters, including sending mass email requests, tracking animals in foster, and scheduling appointments in a professional manner.
● Be able to cross train with the AAHS surgery team to sub-in on an as-needed basis.
QUALIFICATIONS: The ideal candidate will have previous veterinary assistant experience. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without accommodations. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Client Education
1. Must be able to learn basic veterinary medical concepts including, but not limited to, surgical and anesthetic protocols and anesthetic risks, basic veterinary medicine terminology, and provide hands on care to the animals in our facility
2. Must also be able to communicate basic veterinary concepts to clients and repeat information relayed by a veterinarian to the public and other departments
3. Must communicate with the public in a professional manner
Animal Handling
1. Will handle (on average) 25 dogs and cats per day
2. Must learn characteristics of animal behavior (for example: be able to identify aggressive or fearful behavior)
3. Must be comfortable with both dogs and cats and handling those that are difficult to restrain in a safe manner
4. Should identify own limitations and be willing to ask for help
5. Must be proficient at animal restraint for various procedures, including the appropriate use of safety equipment for fractious or feral animals
Physical Requirements
1. Must be able to work standing or sitting for 8 or more hours
2. Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds repeatedly throughout the day with help
3. Must be able to bend and kneel repeatedly
4. Must be able to see fine detail in a variety of situations
5. Must be able to work in potentially extreme environmental temperatures
Emotional/Mental Requirements
1. Work under stressful conditions, and work efficiently and effectively under those conditions
2. Respond quickly to a variety of medical situations as needed
3. Cope with animal death in a healthy way
4. Ability to rapidly and accurately process information
5. Ability to recognize need for assistance and ask for help
6. Ability to control instinct (for example: while restraining it is often required to tighten grip and NOT release an animal that begins to struggle)
7. Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
Potential and Prolonged Exposure: While performing the duties of this job, the veterinary assistant is exposed to hazards associated with aggressive patients; hazards associated with infected animals; exposure to unpleasant odors, chemicals and noises; exposure to bites, scratches and animal wastes; and possible exposure to contagious diseases.
1. Prolonged exposure to various aqueous solutions including, but not limited to, dish soap, chlorhexidine, isopropyl, and hydrogen peroxide
2. Potential exposure to isoflurane anesthetic gas
3. Prolonged exposure to quaternary ammonium cleaners and bleach
4. Potential exposure to sharps, including needles and surgical blades
5. Potential exposure to infected or aggressive animals, animal wastes and animal blood.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without accommodations.
Individuals may need to sit or stand as needed. Duties may require walking primarily on a level surface for periodic periods throughout the day; reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting as required to file documents or store materials; and, provide care and supervision of domestic animals up to 150 pounds throughout the workday. Proper lifting techniques required.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job with or without accommodations.
The performance of this position will require exposure to animal shelter areas and interaction with domestic animals of varying temperaments which may require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses with side shields, protective gloves, and hearing protection.
For the most part ambient room temperatures, lighting and traditional equipment as found in a typical Animal Care and Control facility.
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions or qualifications associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise or require that other or different tasks be performed as circumstances change.
Animal Allies Humane Society provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $17.50 - $18.05 per hour
Expected hours: 16 – 36 per week
Benefits:
Schedule:
Experience:
Shift availability:
Work Location: In person
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