Veterinary Assistant

SUMMARY

Contributes to Columbus Humanes mission and vision by supporting the clinical team and ensuring high quality of services and care for at-risk animals served at CHECC. The Veterinary Assistant is responsible for assisting with daily operations, helping with medical procedures, and ensuring effective workflow while maintaining a safe and efficient environment for animals and staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Thinks, communicates, and acts in the best interest of Columbus Humane and our human and animal clients at all times; models our mission and values in all job-related functions.
• Assists veterinary assistants, technicians, students, veterinarians, and volunteers on the clinic floor, ensuring effective teamwork and proper clinical procedures.
• Assists with the day-to-day tasks, ensuring smooth workflow and prioritization of tasks.
• Primary responsibility for assisting with surgery, dentistry, and preventative medical care for animals served at CHECC, including diagnostics and medical recordkeeping.
• Creates and supports open dialogue with clients, takes patient histories, explains medications, vaccinations, and go-home procedures with clients. Answers questions and makes referrals to other Columbus Humane programs and services as necessary.
• Monitors and reports changes or concerns in animal health or behavior to Veterinarians and Director of Clinical Support as needed.
• Administers vaccinations (non-Rabies) and treatments for healthy, sick, and injured animals as necessary.
• Supports veterinarians and veterinary technicians with animal restraint and handling.
• Cleans, sanitizes, and disinfects animal living environments as necessary.
• Clean and identify appropriate instruments are present in surgery packs.
• Fold, wrap and sterilize surgery packs and gowns.
• Restocks medical, surgery and exam room spaces.
• Follows proper safety protocols for people and animals and sets a high standard for quality animal handling.
• Actively supports staff and volunteers and promotes the development of skills related to the advancement of our goals and mission. Always represents Columbus Humane in a professional and courteous manner. Provides quality service to clients, students, and staff recognizing their individual contributions to the success of our organization.
• Engages in safe, responsible, and legal handling, use, and recording of controlled substances.
• Contributes to the maintenance of a comfortable, clean, and safe environment of which clients, staff, and management can be proud.
• Assist with euthanasia as needed.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned by the Director of Clinical Support.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Passionate belief in Columbus Humanes vision, mission, and values.
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
• Ability to foster a collaborative team approach to solving challenging situations.
• Must be able to maintain accurate records, recognize people, and understand written direction.
• Experience with Microsoft Office necessary.
• Telephone and computer skills are necessary.
• Willingness to learn new techniques, treatments, and openness to change.
• Dependable attendance is required.
• Ability to work Saturdays for events as needed.
• Any allergies to animals must be controllable through medication.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

At times required to lift up to 50 pounds with reasonable accommodation. 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.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a normal veterinary clinic setting including exposure to hazardous chemicals and potential exposure to parasites and infectious diseases that can be carried and transmitted by animals.

Columbus Humane is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees

***Schedule: Monday-Friday, and Saturdays as needed. ***