Veterinary Assistant

BENEFITS: 

• Health, dental, vision and more 

• 3 weeks paid time off + 10 paid holidays 

• 403b with employer match 

• DVMs and LVTs receive an annual CE stipend 

• Check out our full list of benefits and perks HERE 

Non-Exempt role - Starting Wage: $25.82-$28.02/hour

POSITION SUMMARY:  Veterinary Assistants are responsible for daily care of animals needing veterinary care, assisting veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians with pre-, peri-, and post-operative care of surgical patients, care of hospitalized patients, community clinic patients, general cleaning, and following patient care protocols. The VA should be excited about animal welfare, shelter medicine, increasing access to veterinary care and high-quality, high volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) practices.

KEY OR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Medicine:

• Works independently caring for hospitalized patients and animals throughout the shelter as assigned by a veterinarian.

• Fill prescriptions
• Administer medications, vaccinations, and other treatments
• IV catheter placement and maintenance
• Obtain diagnostics including digital radiography and positioning, phlebotomy, in-house lab analyzer processing
• Infectious disease treatment, with a focus on Ringworm, Upper Respiratory Infection, Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease, Panleukopenia, and Parvovirus
• Animal husbandry duties including cleaning, feeding, watering, medicating and monitoring all animals in the veterinary clinic to maintain high standards of veterinary care
• Assist with euthanasia, perform euthanasia if certified
• Perform public appointments, which includes history gathering, animal restraint, administration of treatments, and dispensing medications to owners

Surgery:

• Support HQHVSN clinic which performs surgery on 20-50 patients daily per DVM
• Monitor vital signs of anesthetized patients
• Assist DVM with dental procedures including dental radiography and scaling/polishing teeth
• Perform venipuncture and bladder expression on anesthetized patients
• Assist with movement of patients, recovery of patients, and general flow in the veterinary clinic
• Restrain patients for induction and intubation, and preps patients for surgery
• Responsible for clinic and surgery set up/breakdown including cleaning, stocking, pack wrapping, instrument sterilization, laundry, organization.

Other:

• Support Vet Reception as needed
• Work closely with volunteers in the department and related programs and provide support and training as needed

• Work closely with all departments and effectively communicates the medical needs of shelter animals
• Respond appropriately during an emergency, take directions from a veterinarian or LVT and maintain competency during CPR procedures
• Communicate in a professional and effective manner with the public, Seattle Humane staff, and all volunteers
• Represent Seattle Humane in a professional and courteous manner
• Follows all written and verbally communicated departmental standard operating procedures
• Reports any health, behavior, safety, or security concerns to supervisor in a timely manner
• All other duties as assigned

COMMUNICATION/INTERPERSONAL CONTACT:

• Regular verbal communication with department and other operational staff, as well as written communication via written standard operating procedures, memos, emails, charts and signs.
• Regular verbal communication with adopters, volunteers and clients through direct contact, over the telephone, or written communication.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATION REQUIRED:

• Ability to obtain Veterinary Med Clerk license (can be obtained on the job)

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION or TRAINING:

• Familiar with characteristics of animal behavior and utilization low stress animal handling as related to a clinic/shelter environment
• Must be able to use appropriate safety equipment for fractious or feral animals
• Will be asked to handle large volumes of animals per day. Must be proficient at safe animal handling and restraint for various clinic procedures
• Must be able to read, write, listen and communicate effectively
• Must be able to perform basic mathematical operations
• Should be able to identify personal limitations and be willing to ask for help
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team
• Should be able to identify personal limitations and be willing to ask for help

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

The ideal candidate for this role must possess certain physical and cognitive abilities. They must be able to work for extended periods, standing or sitting for 10 or more hours, and lift and carry up to 30 pounds repeatedly, with or without accommodation. Additionally, they must be able to bend, kneel, and work on hands and knees repeatedly, as well as use ladders and step stools. Fine motor skills are also essential, requiring an acceptable degree of dexterity in hands and fingers. Furthermore, the candidate must be able to work efficiently in stressful conditions including frequent interruptions, respond quickly to various medical situations, and rapidly process information with accuracy. Finally, they must be capable of working independently and collaboratively as part of a team. 

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Primarily indoor working conditions in an office/clinic setting for nine to twelve hours per day.  Some work may be done in kennels or outdoors.  Exposures to potential hazards include waste anesthetic gases, radiation, cleaning chemicals and disinfectants, formalin, needles, scalpel blades and other sharp hazards, animal bites and scratches, zoonotic diseases, animal hair, dander and wastes, pharmaceutical and biological agents, euthanasia solution, eye hazards, steam (from autoclave), wet floors, potential electrical hazards, constant noise (vacuum, fan, barking) and interruptions, back strain, exposure to cold or other hazards with walk-in freezer.  

WORK HOURS:

Full-time, non-exempt, hourly position. Scheduled for 40 hours per week, generally scheduled over four ten-hour shifts. The Shelter and Veterinary Clinic are open 7 days per week including holidays; schedule may vary depending on coverage, holidays or emergencies.

SEATTLE HUMANE CORE VALUES:

Candidate should be committed to Seattle Humane’s Core Values:

Collaboration

Compassion

Accessibility

Respect

Adaptability

Who we are:

Seattle Humane is more than a shelter; we’re a community resource center. We're meeting the increasing need for pet owner support services so that families don't have to choose between an overdue bill and a beloved family member. We're training the next generation of veterinarians in our state-of-the-art medical center. We're building a community of animal advocates through our volunteer and youth education programs. The impact of Seattle Humane is life-changing, for the animals in our care and the people who love them. Our top priority is to connect animals in need of rescue with the people who will love them. Through our outreach, advocacy and services, we strive to ensure that animal companionship is accessible to all. 

Equal Opportunity Statement:

As an equal opportunity employer, Seattle Humane is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.