Animal Services Assistant

This position will perform veterinary assistant duties in the Animal Services Department under the guidance of a licensed veterinarian. Work involves responsibility for performing a broad variety of clinical and laboratory activities in the animal shelter environment; will exercise medical judgment and skill in the independent performance of duties for the care and treatment of animals within the shelter; and perform administrative work as needed for the department. General supervision is provided by the Animal Services Division Head.

Assists veterinarians in the care of animals at the shelter; performs complex in-house laboratory tests; performs administrative support work; prepares reports and maintains files. 

• Provides information regarding Animal Services inquiries for spay/neuter services for adoptable and stray pets. Enters documentation of the results of each conversation into the chameleon computer system to include discussions with veterinary clinics, scheduling client appointments; and providing service programs to callers and veterinarians; 
• Performs treatment upon sick and injured animals and administers follow-up treatment as advised by contract veterinarian; 
• Performs routine medical procedures upon adopted, incoming and redeemed animals; administers oral and injectable medications; checks temperature; uses a microscope and other diagnostic equipment for the purpose of identifying parasitic conditions and diseases; performs heartworm tests on adoptable dogs; 
• Examines impounded dogs and cats for overall health conditions and advises contract veterinarian;
• Performs euthanasia and vaccinates all dogs and cats for rabies as a rabies certified vaccinator;
• Cleans and disinfects kennels and cages in order to provide a suitable environment for the animals; make routine inspections of animals and their cages for their health, welfare, safety and cleanliness; 
• Cares for and feeds impounded animals; 
• Maintains computer records on animals documenting all actions taken;
• Performs assigned functions as a Disaster Ready Team (DRT) member, if appointed or volunteer.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of the laws governing the keeping and caring of domestic animals including cruelty laws, as set forth in the NC General Statutes and County Animal Control Ordinances. Animal care related knowledge to determine treatment protocols to handle situational priorities. Knowledge of animal health and safety procedures; general office practices and procedures; proficient computer operation skills, various software applications such as word processing and spreadsheets, basic financial and statistical record-keeping techniques, proper telephone and customer service techniques. Knowledge of professional etiquette, including how to write business letters, handle email correspondence, telephone presentation and face to face interactions with clients, donors, etc. Ability to be able to read a microscope slide to determine heartworm and intestinal parasites. Ability to work in a stressful, emotionally demanding environment handling calls with compassion and professionalism; ability to prioritize calls according to need and too quickly, efficiently and professionally follow through to closure. Ability to operate office equipment and software programs to include internet, email, excel, word and the animal control specific software; ability to communicate complex processes to a wide variety of people, both in written and verbal form; ability to perform organizational skills and high attention to detail; ability to anticipate and identify problems and needs and solve them and/or communicate them appropriately; ability to discern work priorities and meet deadlines with little supervision; ability to maintain confidentiality; ability to work on multiple tasks with interruptions in an energetic environment with the pressure of periodic heavy workloads; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and general public.

Graduation from high school and veterinary clinic experience in the care and treatment of animals in an animal shelter or animal hospital; or any equivalent combination of training and experience.

This is heavy work requiring the exertion of up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects; work requires stooping, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important spoken instructions to other accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; visual acuity is required depth perception, color perception, peripheral vision, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operation of machines, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside environmental conditions and atmospheric conditions.