Veterinary Assistant and Driver for Mobile Unit

Santa Barbara Humane -

Santa Barbara Humane is making an effort to extend our reach!

We are seeking a Veterinary Assistant or Technician to join our Mobile Unit Team.

This job will require some travel and experience in the field. Please read the job description below to see if this for you.

SUMMARY: Responsible for customer service; assisting the mobile team with animal care and surgical procedures; and driving and maintaining the M2 Freightliner mobile spay/neuter vehicle. Provides the highest quality of care for animals in areas such as intake, physical examinations, surgeries, immunizations, etc. Must demonstrate excellent customer service skills, checking animals into the clinic and releasing pets to their owners after procedures/surgeries. Educates the public on animal health, procedures, medications, and treatment. Maintains a positive and professional attitude with other employees, volunteers, visitors, vendors, and clients. Must be able to safely drive the M2 Freightliner mobile spay/neuter vehicle and maintain the vehicle to ensure it is working properly. Must support and advocate for the philosophy, programs, and policies of Santa Barbara Humane.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Medical (60%):

· Humanely restrain animals for exams and related procedures

· Comfortable with the use of safety equipment for fractious or feral animals

· Assists and/or performs medical tasks including blood draws, medicating animals, implanting microchips and vaccines

· Administers pharmaceuticals via subcutaneous & intramuscular routes.

· Assists with the movement of animals for surgery

· Demonstrates patience and tolerance with all animals and willingness to provide direct care to cats, dogs and rabbits of all sizes and types and a desire to maintain high level of care for all animals in order to assure their comfort and safety

· Ensures that all incoming surgery animals and their records and kennels/cages are labeled

· Performs associated established duties according to daily, weekly and monthly surgery schedules

· Performs associated surgical duties related to animal prep

· Maintains sterile field in all surgical aspects according to protocol

· Performs anesthetic monitoring of animals in surgery

· Responsible for maintaining surgical packs and restocking surgery area with all supplies

· Ensures a safe and disease free environment.

· Maintains daily cleanliness and sanitation of:

o Clinic work areas (vacuuming, mopping, wiping down all counters, etc.)

o Equipment

o Surgery animal living quarters (cleaning and resetting cages)

o Performs laundry duties (washing, drying, folding and proper storage of clinic laundry)

· Informs veterinarians and/or Mobile and TNR Program Manager of any abnormal behavior, illness, disease, or injury

· Adheres to all safety and security regulations and training

· Arrives on time and prepared for work

· Participates in staff trainings and meetings and responds to management communications as required

· Promotes cooperative working environment among staff members and volunteers; understands the value of teamwork; shows enthusiasm and willingness to perform as necessary to help the clinic function as a unit

Customer Service (30%):

· Performs clinic clerical duties such as checking customers in and out

· Promotes a highly efficient, client-centered environment and facilitates programs and processes to meet client needs

· Maintains the practice philosophy for attracting new clients and retaining existing clients through good customer service skills

· Helps to facilitate resolution of client problems

· Maintains a facility visually appealing to client and staff

· Demonstrates a positive, team-oriented attitude and communicates in a respectful manner

Other (10%):

· Safely drive and park mobile clinics to and from various locations in Santa Barbara County

· Operate and troubleshoot mobile clinic generators

· Enter medical information into digital data bases as appropriate

· Represent Santa Barbara Humane in a professional and courteous manner

· Adhere to all protocols put forth by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Department of Transportation (DOT)

· Follow all written and verbally communicated Standard Operating Procedures

· Carries out other duties as assigned by the Director of Veterinary Services or Mobile and TNR Program Manager, including but not limited to: working in the stationary spay/neuter facilities and assisting other departments as needed

QUALIFICATIONS:

· Bilingual (Spanish and English) required

· Previous work with domestic animals preferred

· Must hold a valid California Driver’s License and pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history

· Must hold a Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substances Permit (VACSP) from the California Veterinary Medical Board or have the ability to obtain the permit within 30 days of employment

· Must be able to work with people from a variety of backgrounds who may have different orientations to animals due to cultural traditions

· Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

· This position requires some weekend work

· Work is performed within an mobile spay/neuter vehicle where loud noises, disease and exposure to hazards are possible

· Physical requirements may include: bending, standing for long periods, stooping, reaching and other physical demands for 8 or more hours.

· Must be able to safely restrain large and/or agitated animals

· Frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds

Occasionally handle dogs weighing up to and over 150 pounds. Assistance will be provided when working with larger animals

Drive a M2 Freightliner vehicle on surface streets and highways