Veterinary Assistant, Small Animal Clinical Sciences - College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
Full-time
Veterinary
Posted on April 16, 2024
Veterinary Assistant, Small Animal Clinical Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine
The College of Veterinary Medicine invites applicants to apply for the position of Veterinary Assistant, located within the Small Animal Clinical Sciences department. Under general supervision, this position performs a variety of animal husbandry functions such as general care, feeding, cleaning, exercising, and record keeping of hospital patients. Assigned to the Orthopedics and Soft Tissue services, assists clinicians, licensed veterinary nurses, and veterinary students with the care of orthopedic and soft tissue patients. Assists in performing technical tasks in the clinic such as patient treatments or sample collecting. Performs housekeeping and general clinic duties outside of assigned service area.
Qualifications :
Typical Responsibilities:
ANIMAL HANDLING AND CARE:
- Perform animal restraint for physical exams and medical procedures, such as blood draws, urine collection via cystocentesis, blood pressures, and injections.
- Restrain patients for service specific assessment exams, which often requires special handling techniques to reduce patient stress and pain level, as well as reducing the risk of injury to the students or clinicians performing the exams.
- Prepare cages and runs with bedding, water, and other supplies for patient housing.
- Feed diets as prescribed to admitted patients.
- Exercise patients, using special care or equipment if prescribed, as needed.
- Record daily observations on cage cards.
- Assist in the admittance and discharge of patients.
- Perform bathing or grooming as needed.
- Perform clinical housekeeping, such as the cleaning and disinfection of animal cages, animal rooms, and animal treatment rooms.
- Inventory, order, and stock medical supply items (procured from Pharmacy and Central Supply) necessary for assigned veterinary service functions.
- Obtain and prepare supplies needed to perform minor medical or surgical procedures within treatment area.
- Perform daily routine housekeeping tasks including the following: laundry collection and dispersal: trash disposal; dish washing; pet waste removal form outdoor walking areas; and collection, transport, and disposal of biohazard sharps and waste to outdoor facility.
- Assist in collection and processing of patient specimens by preparing supplies and delivering samples to various clinical labs.
- Routinely transport records, radiology requests, and/or sedation to radiology for patients receiving medical imaging.
- Participate in infectious disease control and prevention through proper disinfection and sanitation of contaminated areas as specified by the infectious disease control and prevention Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's).
- Knowledge of basic animal husbandry, behavior and monitoring.
- Knowledge of general clinic and animal area sanitation and disinfection procedures.
- Knowledge of instruments and equipment used in the treatment room and in surgery by both the Orthopedic and Soft Tissue services.
- Basic computer skills.
- Basic communication skills.
- Ability to restrain animals.
- Ability to adhere to all safety procedures and training as required by the University, the department, and regulatory agencies.
- Ability to work overtime and on weekends when necessary to fulfill rotating on-call duties.
- Ability to maintain accurate animal and sanitation records.
- Ability to work under stressful or demanding conditions.
- Ability to work with others in a respectful and cooperative manner.
- This is an entry level position.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Must have a valid driver's license.
- Experience working with small animals, including but not limited to dogs, cats, birds, and rodents, preferred. Veterinary Assistant Course Certification preferred.
