Humane Indiana
Shelter Medicine Assistant
JOB SUMMARY
The Lab Technician, under the supervision of the Shelter Director & Shelter Veterinarian, is responsible for the care and wellbeing of animals in the care of Humane Indiana. Has excellent interpersonal communication skills. Works along-side shelter staff to ensure a team effort is maintained. Assists Shelter Director & Shelter Veterinarian in implementation of disease prevention protocols, cleaning protocols, safety protocols, supply use, and inventory of medical related supplies. Ensures animals arriving at the HI receive a thorough admissions exam and immediate care. Oversees preparation, proper dosage, and distribution of medications. Responsible for documentation of medical history on HI animals. The Lab Technician reports directly to the Shelter Director and works cohesively with Shelter Veterinarian.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Responsible for the care and quality of life of shelter animals. Adheres to disease prevention protocols, safety protocols, and cleaning protocols from HI Standard Operating Procedures.
- Responsible for performing physical examination of all incoming and outgoing animals within HI as well as facilitating the vaccination, deworming, microchipping and any other preventative health measure for all HI animals.
- Work with Shelter Veterinarian to treat a wide range of medical issues and illnesses within the shelter animal population and act the Shelter Veterinarian’s assistant.
- Ensures job task lists are completed daily and submitted to the Shelter Director. Ensures tasks are completed and are able to meet timeline deadlines.
- Collaborates with the Kennel Technicians regarding the health of shelter animals and medical needs that need to be met.
- Collaborates with Intake Coordinators to ensure proper planning of incoming animal examinations and vaccinations, foster vaccinations, and rescue placement.
- Collaborates with Adoption Counselors to perform examinations on animals prior to being adopted and preparing and dispensing any needed medications as per the Shelter Veterinarian’s prescribing orders.
- Assists Shelter Veterinarian in ordering supplies by keeping inventory of all medical supplies.
- Must be able to respectfully work with volunteers and community service workers.
- Maintains excellent staff motivation techniques, basic training skills, and mediation skills.
- Assists staff with shelter based special events and adoption events.
PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Effectively “team lead” displaying a positive attitude and acting as a motivating force for staff members.
- Effectively consult Shelter Director and Shelter Veterinarian about shelter and staff concerns in a timely manner.
- Effectively and professionally cope with frustrating circumstances while remaining positive and calm.
- Effectively able to work under potentially stressful conditions.
- Effectively able to cope with difficult situations, death of an animal, euthanasia, or surgical complications.
- Effectively able to rapidly and accurately process information, delegate tasks, and recognize the need to ask for assistance. Must be an excellent trouble shooter and problem solver.
- Ability to maintain accurate planning time, define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
- Perform work operations which require performance of minor and major decision making, in a way in which either would affect shelter operations or public perception.
- Must be able to work standing or sitting for 8 hours.
- Must be able to lift 50lbs., have excellent balance and good hand-eye coordination.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Education: High School Diploma required; Associate Degree or Veterinarian Technician Certification Preferred.
- Minimum of 2 years working in animal medicine.
- Lab or shelter medicine a plus.
- Must have excellent communication skills and effectively lead a team based environment.
- Must have strong written and verbal skills.
- Must have strong computer and technology skills.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
As Lab Technician you are expected to lead in a professional manner. You are frequently exposed to odors or airborne particles including animal fur, animal dander and toxic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is very loud and can be stressful at times. Other duties may be assigned.
This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $10.50 - $12.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Munster, IN 46321: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Experience:
- Veterinary & Lab Animal Assistants: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: One location