Job Description
Mission Statement Committed to kindness in service to the community since 1931, the Humane Society of Sonoma County is a donor-supported safe haven for animals. Our mission is to save lives and benefit the wellbeing of pets and their people with kindness, innovation, and leadership.
SUMMARY:
The Veterinary Assistant ensures that all shelter and owned animals are provided with the best possible care and attention while at the Humane Society of Sonoma County. Responsibilities include providing daily veterinary support for shelter animals, including monitoring health, administering treatments and medications, and assisting with intake and medical evaluations. Supports veterinarians and technicians in high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter surgeries and routine appointments within a public clinic setting. Duties include surgical preparation and breakdown, anesthesia assistance, patient restraint, maintaining accurate medical records, and ensuring proper sanitation and infection control protocols. Also assists with client communication, discharge instructions, and coordination of care. Maintains clinic and treatment areas through cleaning, stocking, and adherence to safety and medical standards Key Responsibilities:
Assist veterinarians and RVTs with examinations, treatments, diagnostics, surgery, and medical procedures in public clinic, HQHVSN, and shelter medicine settings. Participate in all aspects of anesthesia, including patient preparation, induction, monitoring, intubation, IV catheter placement, recovery, and post-operative care. Administer medications, vaccines, microchips, subcutaneous fluids, and treatments as directed by veterinarians and according to established protocols. Monitor patient health, behavior, and comfort; recognize and report significant medical or behavioral changes promptly. Provide safe, humane handling and restraint of animals, including fractious or aggressive patients, while minimizing patient stress and ensuring staff safety Assist with emergency procedures and basic life support, including CPR, airway maintenance, and oxygen therapy. Support shelter medicine operations through treatments, record keeping, patient rechecks, movement of animals, and coordination of care with other departments. Assist with euthanasia procedures in accordance with Humane Society policies and California law. Maintain accurate and complete medical records and perform administrative duties as assigned. Clean, disinfect, prepare, wrap, and sterilize surgical instruments, packs, cages, kennels, treatment areas, and medical equipment to maintain a safe and sanitary environment. Stock and organize medical, surgical, and treatment supplies to ensure operational readiness. Follow all safety, OSHA, sanitation, isolation, and infectious disease control protocols. Respond appropriately to patient, facility, or environmental emergencies and follow established contingency procedures. Maintain professionalism, reliability, teamwork, and a positive attitude while working effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. Support and promote the mission, values, and goals of the Humane Society while providing compassionate care to animals and excellent service to the public and fellow staff members. Perform other duties as assigned. Always strive to work with the 5 freedoms of animal welfare in mind: Freedom from hunger or thirst by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigor Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area Freedom from pain, injury or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment Freedom to express (most) normal behavior by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment that avoid mental suffering MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Six (6) months related animal care experience preferred. Experience in humane animal handling, restraint and confinement. Willingness to work flexible days and hours, including evening shifts, weekends and/or holidays. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
The ability to work independently as well as in a team environment. Must demonstrate self-motivation, responsibility, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. Knowledge of domestic animal breeds, diseases, health care and basic animal behavior. Ability to properly lift animals, food, and supplies up to 50 pounds. Good oral and written communication skills. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands and work environment characteristics 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. Must be able to interact with and handle animals. Ability to walk and/or stand throughout a normal workday. Must be able to communicate effectively (speak and listen). Must be able to lift, move, and carry objects and animals up to 50 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand, walk, use hands to handle objects/operate keyboards and telephones; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear; bend, reach, stoop, kneel, squat, and crawl; climb or balance. Use of arms above the shoulder is sometimes required. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Allergic conditions, which would be aggravated when handling or working with animals, may result in disqualification. WORK ENVIRONMENT
The employee is generally working in a shelter environment and will be exposed to moderately loud noise levels (such as barking dogs, ringing phones), cleaning agents, bites, scratches, and animal waste. There is possible exposure to zoonotic diseases. EEO STATEMENT
HSSC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable team. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities, especially those historically underrepresented in animal welfare and veterinary medicine.
