Animal Care Attendant

Lackland AFB, TX

About the role

The Animal Care Attendant will assist in the transport and handling of Government Working Dogs (GWDs) during Veterinary procedures involving diagnostic imaging, surgery, medicine, rehabilitation, critical or general clinical care, or any combination of veterinary support work in support of various Department of Defense Military Working Dog Veterinary Service (DODMWDVS) departments.

Responsibilities

• Aide in the examination, evaluation, and vaccination of canines, including handling the dog pre- and post-exam, conveying information to the veterinarian, and retrieving vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, hydration status, attitude, etc.) of animals presented for sick call or medical evaluation clinics.
• Sanitize exam room and treatment areas between canines or as needed.
• Provide medications by various routes under the direction and supervision of Veterinary Staff.
• Assist in loading and transporting dogs to and from different locations as required, using proper and prescribed safety methods and practices.
• Escort personnel as required.
• Conduct health checks on Government Working Dogs (GWDs), monitoring for signs of illness, wounds, disease, and discontent. Visually observe the health and welfare of assigned GWDs and report any uncharacteristic signs to Veterinarian Staff.
• Observe recovery of GWDs after surgery by assisting Vet Tech staff with tracking respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, tissue perfusion, hydration, body temperature, state of consciousness, and reflexes. Identify post-operative complications (shock, hemorrhage, respiratory distress, hypothermia, etc.) and inform veterinarian.
• Support the Rehab Team’s examinations and implementation of therapeutic modalities for patients recovering from surgery, healing from orthopedic or neuromuscular injury, or other responsibilities.
• Keep GWDs under control during radiographic studies. Assist Vet Techs with visually observing vital signs of GWDs undergoing radiological procedures.
• Administer medications to GWDs during early morning shift, evening shift, and weekends. Medications may be administered topically, orally, optic, and ophthalmic.
• Perform daily cleaning and sanitation of primary enclosures, cage change-outs, and areas inside and outside animal facilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Experience handling large, trained, and untrained working breed canines; Military Working Dog experience preferred.
• Ability to provide care for GWDs according to specific schedules and routine methods.
• Ability to clean and maintain facilities housing GWDs to ensure their health and welfare.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing, and to work harmoniously with personnel and supervisors.
• Ability to catch, handle, hold, and transfer GWDs without injuring the animal or endangering self or others.
• Knowledge of effective administration of oral medication to GWDs.
• Ability to recognize obvious changes in GWDs such as excessive loss of fur, fighting, refusal to feed, or malaise.
• Knowledge of effective facility sanitation to prevent injury and illness in program animals.
• Ability to lift or move up to 80 pounds.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regularly required to sit and talk or hear.
• May use repeated motions that include the arms, wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Occasionally required to walk, stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 80 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.