This position is for a Kennel Assistant with training as an assistant to the veterinary assistant as skills are acquired.
We are a busy Family Owned, Small Animal Veterinary Hospital located within just a few miles of historic St. Augustine, FL. A Kennel Assistant supports the veterinary team in providing compassionate patient care, assisting with treatments, and care for boarding pets. They help with animal restraint, bathing, walking, feeding and cleaning of boarding pets, housekeeping, and other tasks. They communicate with the veterinary team for patient care and monitoring.
Patient Care Duties :
- Care for boarding and hospitalized animals, including cage cleaning, exercising, feeding, observing signs of illness and controlling the spread of parasites and infectious diseases and reporting to the veterinary assistant
- Restrain patients for procedures performed
- Assist Veterinary assistant with exams and treatments
- Assess change in animal status
- Bathing and grooming procedures
- Ensure hospital patients and boarding pets go home well groomed and in an appropriate medical state
Laboratory & Pharmacy:
- Collect and Prepare Fecal Samples
- Prepare Vaccines and Medication as directed by the Doctor
Housekeeping Duties:
- Do laundry
- Put all trash and boxes into dumpster for pickup
- Help maintain clean exam rooms, ICU ward, treatment area, surgical suite and boarding kennels
- Clean public and staff areas, including bathroom.
Client Communication Duties:
- Professional, cheerful and helpful attitude when interacting with staff and pet owners
- Knowledge of animal behavior, basic care of pets and common diseases
Educational Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Formal or on-the-job training in animal care
- Experience preferred, but will train
Skills Needed:
- Ability and willingness to assist veterinary team
- Responsibilities will vary based on the practice’s current needs, the season and the individual skills of the employee
- Effective communicator
Physical Obligations:
- Able to lift patients and carry equipment up to 45 pounds; ability to lift patients or carry equipment over 45 pounds with assistance
- Endure sitting, standing and walking on hard floor surfaces for extended periods of time
- Able to work in noisy work conditions with sounds from animals and equipment
- Able to endure sights, smells and contact with bodily fluids from patients
- Take safety precautions for exposure to toxins, drugs, anesthesia and radiation
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Experience:
- Animal restraint: 1 year (Required)
- kennel assistant: 1 year (Required)
Work Location: In person
Salary : $16 - $18