Veterinary Assistant - Santa Maria Campus

Santa Barbara Humane, Santa Maria Campus is accepting applications for a Veterinary Assistant!!!!

This is a full-time, non exempt position with excellent benefits. As Veterinary Assistants we are responsible for customer service, data entry, vaccinations of public animals, assisting the veterinarians to maintain the health of all shelter and public animals. You will be assisting the clinic team with surgical and dental procedures. They provide the highest quality of care for animals in areas such as physical examinations, surgeries, immunizations, etc.

This is a great position for those who are looking to start their career in Shelter Medicine. You not only get to be help our community pets, but our shelter pets as well.

Must be able to work weekend and holiday shifts. The ideal candidate has paid or volunteer experience in a shelter, boarding facility, or veterinary hospital and enjoys performing a variety of duties in a busy work environment. 

Full-time employees of Santa Barbara Humane are eligible for health, vision, dental, and long-term disability insurance benefits. We also offer a 401k plan, paid vacation and sick time, and discounts on veterinary treatment for employee’s pets.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Humanely restrain animals for exams and related procedures

• Comfortable with the use of safety equipment for fractious or feral animals

• Assists and/or performs medical tasks including blood draws, medicating animals, implanting microchips and vaccines

• Administers pharmaceuticals via subcutaneous & intramuscular routes.  

• Assists with the movement of animals for surgery

• Demonstrates patience and tolerance with all animals and willingness to provide direct care to cats, dogs and rabbits of all sizes and types and a desire to maintain high level of care for all animals in order to assure their comfort and safety

• Ensures that all incoming surgery animals and their records and kennels/cages are labeled 

• Performs associated established duties according to daily, weekly and monthly surgery schedules

• Performs associated surgical duties related to animal prep 

• Maintains sterile field in all surgical aspects according to protocol   

• Performs anesthetic monitoring of animals in surgery

• Responsible for maintaining surgical packs and restocking surgery area with all supplies

• Ensures a safe and disease free environment.  

• Ability to adapt and change according to the clinic and shelter needs.

• Maintains daily cleanliness and sanitation of:

• Clinic work areas (vacuuming, mopping, wiping down all counters, etc.)

• Equipment

• Surgery animal living quarters (cleaning and resetting cages)

• Performs laundry duties (washing, drying, folding and proper storage of clinic laundry) 

• Informs veterinarians and/or Clinic Manager of any abnormal behavior, illness, disease, or injury

• Performs clinic clerical duties such as answering phones, scheduling appointments, providing medical records, and checking out customers

• Promotes a highly efficient, client-centered environment and facilitates programs and processes to meet client needs. 

• Maintains the practice philosophy for attracting new clients and retaining existing clients through good customer service skills.

• Helps to facilitate resolution of client problems 

• Maintains a facility visually appealing to client and staff

• Adheres to all safety and security regulations and training 

• Arrives on time and prepared for work

• Demonstrates a positive, team-oriented attitude and communicates in a respectful manner

• Participates in staff trainings and meetings and responds to management communications as required

• Promotes cooperative working environment among shelter departments and staff members; understands the value of teamwork; shows enthusiasm and willingness to perform as necessary to help the clinic function as a unit 

• Knowledgeable regarding related federal and state animal health laws and regulations including OSHA and DEA 

• Carries out other duties as assigned by the Director of Veterinary Services, Clinic Manager, and/or Veterinary Practice Manager including but not limited to: administering medications and treatments to shelter animals, assisting with routine medical exams, and assisting other departments as needed 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 1 year in related field - Previous work in an animal shelter and/or veterinary clinic preferred

• Excellent computer skills

• Must be able to work with people from a variety of backgrounds who may have different orientations to animals due to cultural traditions  

• Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills

• Proficient use of commercial clinic and shelter software preferred

• Excellent animal handling skills

• Must hold a current Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substance permit (VACSP) from the California Veterinary Medical Board or have the ability to obtain this license within 30 days of employment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This position requires some weekend and evening work 

• Work is performed within an animal shelter where loud noises, disease and exposure to hazards are possible

• Physical requirements may include: bending, standing for long periods, stooping, reaching and other physical demands.

• Must be able to safely restrain large and/or agitated animals

• Frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds

• Occasionally handle dogs weighing up to and over 150 pounds. Assistance will be provided when working with larger animals