Employment

Animal Care & Surgical Assistant 

​

Job Summary:

The Animal Care & Surgical Assistant assists the Shelter Veterinarian with surgery; including, but not limited to, pre-op care, post-op care, and intra-op monitoring. Set up of surgery site prior to procedures as well as clean up after surgery. The surgery caseload consists primarily of spay and neuter and dental procedures, though a variety of other procedures are performed as well. Perform required maintenance and upkeep on surgical equipment. Work closely with animal care staff and assist with routine animal care and cleaning when needed. Oversees the veterinary intern and helps teach them (and potentially other staff) medical knowledge.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assists the Shelter Veterinarian throughout admission to discharge from the surgery service.

• Prepares animals and instruments for surgery using aseptic technique.

• Sterilizes and maintains all surgical packs.

• Performs routine cleaning and general maintenance of all surgical instruments, medical equipment and surface areas.

• Monitors temperature, pulse, and respiration of patients.

• Monitors anesthesia.

• Administers pharmaceuticals: via injection (IM, SQ, and IV), topically, and orally.

• Performs venipuncture and catheter placement.

• Microchips animals.

• Monitors animals post-operatively and throughout recovery.

• Communicates any observations, whether behavioral or medical, of patients in the surgery service to any necessary staff.

• Oversees organization, cleanliness, and supply needs of the surgical area and surgical clinical area both for safety and sanitation reasons.

• Demonstrates professional behavior consistent with the mission of the ARLNH.

• Assists with routine animal care and cleaning as needed.

• Assists the Shelter Veterinarian with physical exams.

• Assists with euthanasia of client-owned or shelter animals when necessary.

• Perform required maintenance on surgical equipment.

• Oversees veterinary interns as needed and assists in teaching.

• Completes other duties as assigned.

​

Minimum Requirements:

​

Education

•  High School Graduate or Equivalent.

•  Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) desirable but not required.

​

Skills and Traits
A minimum of two years of experience working with a veterinarian is required. Preference to those who have a familiarity with infectious disease transmission and prevention, knowledge of basic laboratory skills, and understanding of surgical
instruments and equipment (oxygen, gas anesthetic machines, autoclave, etc.) animal restraint experience, and critical care skills (including CPCR).

Conditions

•  Ability to lift and move a minimum of 50 lbs.

•  Requires two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.

•  Ability to stand on feet four to eight hours a day.

•  Ability to traverse a building of 14,000+ square feet daily quickly, including

• being able to tolerate and navigate small spaces such as kennels.

•  Ability to perceive and communicate, both orally and in writing, changes in animal behavior and/or medical symptoms and safety issues.

•  Special visual abilities required: Close and distance vision, must be able to distinguish colors and judge distances and possess peripheral vision.

•  Ability to discern odors.

•  Must be able to stoop, kneel and crouch.

•  Ability to use hands and arms to hold (restrain) and palpate animals.

​

Please send resume and cover letter to Marianne Jones, CEO at mjones@rescueleague.org | No phone calls, please.