Veterinary Assistant

Job Posting #132 – Temporary, full-time position at the Farmington Animal Shelter.

About the role

Works under the direct supervision of the Staff Veterinarian, the Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), and the Lead Veterinary Assistant. Assists in daily surgical procedures, animal care, and shelter maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Assists the Lead Veterinary Assistant and Veterinary Technician in daily set-up for all surgical procedures, including setting up hydro-warming blankets, heated exam tables, and replenishing stock.
• Assists in performing basic pet exams: retrieving animals from kennels, weighing them, and returning them to their kennels.
• Assists in restraint, tranquilization, and preparation of animals for surgery; must learn induction and catheterization techniques.
• Performs post-operative patient recovery: administering pain injections and vaccinations, placing tattoos, trimming toenails, lifting and moving animals, taking temperatures, and removing endotracheal tubes.
• Cleans and maintains kennels and surgical facility: disinfecting kennels, surgery rooms, mopping floors, sanitizing surgical instruments, and maintaining a sterile triage area.
• Assists in weekly deep cleaning as assigned by the RVT.
• Walks dogs and cleans/disinfects after biological accidents or spills.
• Maintains surgical packs and drapes: cleaning and sanitizing instruments, creating surgical packs, and operating autoclaves.
• Performs weekly and monthly maintenance on autoclaves.
• Operates blood machines and runs blood samples for patients.
• Transfers animals to and from the shelter, Animal Medical Division (AMD), and San Juan Vet Clinic for x-rays.
• Assists in the process of euthanasia.
• Assists the shelter veterinarian with necessary tasks or exams.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and adherence to FRAS policies and procedures.
• Ensures a safe work environment, follows safety guidelines, and addresses safety concerns.
• Follows directions from contract and staff veterinarians.

Requirements

• High school diploma; preference given to applicants with veterinary assistant experience and/or education.
• Ability to hear, understand, and execute directions from supervisors.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds onto a table with assistance.
• Ability to work in direct contact with animals without experiencing allergy symptoms.
• Ability to cope with euthanasias and medical deaths.
• Knowledge and concern for animals.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, and public pet owners.
• Ability to physically restrain animals for procedures with assistance when needed.
• Ability to multitask and handle stressful situations.
• Ability to handle a high volume of daily surgical procedures.
• Desire to learn and openness to constructive criticism regarding medical protocols and procedures.
• Valid New Mexico driver’s license with an acceptable driving record for the past three years.
• Access to a phone.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize medical cases.
• Self-motivated while being unsupervised.

Tools and Equipment Used

• Animal capture equipment, police radios, first aid equipment.
• Leashes, gloves, cleaning materials (chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine).
• Needles and syringes, surgery tables and lights, blood chemistry machines, surgical instruments.

Physical Demands

• Frequently required to sit, talk, or hear; occasionally required to stand, use hands to handle tools, reach with hands and arms, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Requires close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to use a computer.
• Ability to work around animals without severe allergic reactions.

Work Environment

• Frequently walks quickly and communicates in a high-noise environment.
• Exposed to noxious odors, animal blood, urine, feces, saliva, and potential zoonotic diseases (e.g., ringworm, leptospirosis, tick-borne diseases, rabies).

Pay

$16.75 to $18.00 per hour.

Schedule

Full-time, temporary position. Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.