Shelter Veterinary Assistant

Salary: $40,200.79 Annually

Location : Nashville, TN

Job Type: Full Time Health Civil Service

Job Number: HEA06832

Department: Health

Division: Animal Control

Opening Date: 08/31/2023

Closing Date: 9/30/2023 11:59 PM Central

Position Description
Provide routine medical care and assist with surgical procedures for animals in shelter’s custody, in addition to animals fostered and recently placed. Assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians with animal handling, diagnostic procedures, administering medications, and record keeping associated with animal medical care.

If you have any questions about this position please contact MPHD HR at (615)-340-5640.
Typical Duties

• Perform routine medical evaluations and diagnostic procedures, including but not limited to taking digital and dental radiographs, collecting blood, urine, and stool samples, preparing animals for surgery, administering anesthesia, and providing nursing care or emergency first aid to injured or recovering animals.
• Provides patient restraint during procedures and examinations.
• Interacts with and educates adopters and volunteers, providing post-surgical discharge instructions and responding to patron inquiries related to animal health education and related programs.
• Assist other shelter staff in proper observation, diagnostic methods, safety, and animal handling techniques.
• Responsible for the daily care of animals, including providing appropriate food and water, and basic grooming and bathing.
• Clean animal cages and runs.
• Performs cleaning/housekeeping including but not limited to: laundry, floors, trash/recycling, cleaning treatment areas, and maintaining the surgical suite in preparation for procedures. Maintains surgical equipment, including cleaning and preparation of sterile instruments and surgical packs.
• Maintain daily log sheets and treatment histories, complete related animal care reports, and maintain other records as required.
• Maintain inventory of clinic supplies; research specifications, prices and availability of materials and equipment, and establish maintenance schedules for clinic equipment.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws established by the Tennessee Board of Veterinary Medicine and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
• Perform euthanasia of animals.
• Support and participate in departmental response to disaster and emergency events.
• Respond to patron inquiries. Demonstrates MPHD’s core values of Professionalism, Respect, Regular, reliable, and predictable attendance; perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:

• High school diploma required.
• 1-2 years of professional animal care experience or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

Licensure/Certification:

• Certificate of completion from a NAVTA-approved veterinary assistant program preferred. This Certification must be obtained within six months of hire.
• Must be a Certified Animal Euthanasia Technician (CAET), or obtain that certification within six months of hire.
• Valid class “D” driver’s license.

Vaccinations

Working Environment :Medium to heavy work that involves walking, standing, bending, stooping, lifting, and exerting up to 50 pounds of force on a regular and reoccurring basis, including restraint of animals of varying size, age, and physical condition. May risk exposure to toxic and caustic chemicals, and animals/wildlife, including exposure to animal bites, scratches, and diseases such as Rabies, Ringworm, Bartonella, Leptospirosis, and other zoonotic infections

Full-time, Civil Service positions –
10 Vacation Days per year (increasing after 5 years of service)
1 Sick Day per month
12 Paid Holidays per year