Animal Health Specialist

• Consults with Animal Health Technicians on daily surgery scheduleto ensure animals are labeled in kennel

• Assists Animal Health Technicians with restraining fractious animals requiring sedation for surgical procedures

• Monitors animals during recovery immediately after surgery and alerts Animal Health Technician and/or Shelter Veterinarian when an animal may need medical intervention

• Cleans and sterilizes surgical instrument and arranges into “packs”

• Assists Animal Health Technicians with examinations and minor medical procedures, including microchipping and vaccinations

• Assists logging medications used during surgical procedures, including controlled substances, records when needed

• Assists Animal Health Technician in lifting/carrying large animals for surgery after sedation

• Assists Animal Health Technicians with post-op care, such as wound cleaning and bandaging

• Cleans and sanitizes recovery kennels

• Utilizes shelter software to maintain information about animals, including medical histories

• Works and coordinates with volunteers and interns, and supervises as needed

• Transports animals to and from the surgery/clinic area as needed throughout the day

• Assists with surgery check in/pick up

• Follows all safety measures and policies, including proper animal restraints and reading animal behavioral cues, and promptly reports any safety incidents to leadership

• Unpackages and properly follows policies for Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) controlled substances

• Assists in assessing inventory for the shelter clinic

• Performs Animal Care Specialist duties, as needed

• Performs clerical and customer service duties, as needed

• Oversees and trains volunteers and interns, as needed

• Attends all meetings and trainings, as required

• Performs special duties as assigned

ORGANIZATION RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports directly to – Senior Animal Health Technicians

• Direct Reports – No

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Position involves prolonged standing, walking, twisting, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, and other fine motor repetitive motions

• Position requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine motor coordination

• Position involves lifting and carrying of animals and equipment weighing up to fifty (50) pounds, or up to one hundred (100) pounds with assistance, and exertion of up to twenty- five (25) pounds of force to move objects

• Position involves hearing and/or seeing alert cues regarding animal and staff security

• Position involves maintaining composure in a high-stress environment

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

• Work is primarily indoors in an air-conditioned environment

• May work outside in inclement weather

• Frequent handling of animals, including contact with waste and blood

• Exposure to unpleasant smells and a noisy and wet environment associated with a shelter

• Exposure to gas anesthetic

• Frequent exposure to animals that are agitated or injured that may attempt to bite or scratch

• Position involves working in a high-volume, fast-paced environment

• Position involves working with distressed individuals

• High school diploma and six (6) months of experience working with animals in an animal hospital, shelter, or related animal facility; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience

• Knowledge of animal health and well-being including the signs and symptoms of animal illnesses, injuries, and behavioral issues

• Knowledge of proper and safe handling and restraints

• Demonstrated customer service and communication skills

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, computers, and phone/iPad software and applications such as instant messaging (IM), email, FaceTime, PetPoint, etc.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATION

Required within thirty (30) days of employment

• Valid driver’s license

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate degree in a related field

• One (1) year experience in a high-volume spay/neuter clinic

• Two (2) years of animal welfare experience

• Advanced knowledge of dog and cat body language cues

• Licensed Veterinary Technician

• Bilingual (Spanish)

EMPLOYMENT TESTING

Employment is contingent on passing any post-offer pre-employment screening as listed below:

• Criminal background check: Yes

• Motor Vehicle Record check: Yes

• Drug screening: Yes

• Physical exam: No

• Psychological exam: No

• Additional: N/A