Veterinary Assistant

Seattle Area Feline Rescue is a small, high volume, non-profit cat rescue in Shoreline. We are seeking skilled and compassionate Veterinary Staff to join our team. This Veterinary position is a great opportunity for a dedicated veterinary medical professional with an interest in shelter medicine. Veterinary Technicians and Assistants support the Veterinary Care Manager in providing medical care for SAFe Rescue cats and kittens. The veterinary team supports the Veterinary Care Manager with program administration and provides support to various departments within the shelter. This position has contact with staff, volunteers, fosters, donors and consulting veterinary professionals. The exact duties, and level of independent work expected will depend on licensing and experience and will be in line with WSAVT Healthcare Tasks and Supervision requirements. Duties and responsibilities Intake Perform intake exams when cats arrive at the Rescue. Estimate ages of kittens and cats, vaccinate and treat according to their individual needs Schedule cats with DVM when they need to be seen, reviewed or treated by a veterinarian, place appropriate holds and adjust pathway plans accordingly Cat population care and support Work with the SAFe veterinarian, medical team, and other departments in a collaborative manner. Perform regular exams, blood draws, testing, and treatment as needed. Schedule cats with DVM when they need to be seen, reviewed or treated by a veterinarian Conduct update checkups for cats with medical needs currently in foster care. Communicate with Cat Care Leads on dietary, medical and behavioral needs of in-house cats. Support Ringworm Program - perform care, testing and treatment for cats with Ringworm. Support foster and volunteers with medical questions, concerns, or emergencies in a friendly and professional manner. Adoption center support Determine when cats are medically cleared for adoption and ensure medical parts of cat records are complete. Support Adoption Center by executing medical waiver processes when needed and answering medical questions of potential adopters. Provide medically oriented post adoption support when needed. General medical care and supervision Follow medication protocols and dosage (medicating cats as appropriate based on qualification). Ensure all animals are current on vaccines and required medications and keep all medical records current Maintain a clean and sanitary work space; and communicate with others to ensure appropriate standards of care and infection control measures are in compliance with established policies and procedures. Provide pre and post-op care for cats undergoing spay / neuter surgery, and assist with spay/ neuter surgery as needed Support Ringworm Program - provide medical advice and support for ringworm foster program, perform testing and treatment for cats with Ringworm. Additional duties as assigned Spay & Neuter and/or Wellness Clinic Coordination Assist DVM to provide veterinary care for patients during their appointments Communicate with clients regarding appointments, pre and post operative restrictions and care Assist with records to be provided to clients following exams or surgery. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities The ideal candidate for this position will have a passion for saving cats and experience meeting their medical needs in a shelter environment. They will be able to work independently, within a team and as part of a larger SAFe Rescue team with the mission of finding cats loving homes, and will provide support to staff, fosters and volunteers. Veterinary Technician License, valid in the State of Washington with minimum 1 year experience Veterinary Assistant minimum 3 years experience Experience in a veterinary clinic, shelter, or rescue setting. Able to handle shy, injured, and semi-feral cats safely Comfortable performing feline exams, giving fluids & injections and medications Proficient computer skills in Windows and G Suite environment Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team environment Able to communicate effectively orally and in writing Able to handle multiple tasks at once, and prioritize in a fast-paced environment Able to work on tasks independently Preferred Education, Skills, & Experience Experience with Animal Shelter Manager and/or ShelterLuv software Understanding of shelter medicine Understanding of health and safety in a veterinary clinic setting Experience working in a shelter, or rescue setting. Understanding of animal healthcare tasks and supervisory levels as outlined in

WAC 246-935-040 & WAC 246-935-050

Working conditions Due to the nature of shelter work, employees may be exposed to deceased, fractious, or aggressive animals; hostile or irate persons; parasites, zoonotic or other diseases; unpleasant noises, odors, or sights; disinfectants and chemicals; and extreme temperatures. Work with sharps with appropriate precautions and controls Potential exposure to zoonotic or infectious pathogens The position involves direct contact with cats, humans, computers and a variety of cat-related products. Work various shifts, including holidays, evenings, and regular weekends. Physical requirements Be able to stand for extended periods, walk, sit, see, talk and hear, stoop, bend, squat, kneel, grasp grip, put fingers together firmly and reach above and below shoulder level and lift. Be able to push or pull 30 pounds for lifting food and animal care supplies. Be able to handle cats, cat food, cat litter, and medications used in feline medicine. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employee Benefits Health & vision insurance with employer contribution (for employees working at least 30 hours / week) Employer sponsored retirement account Paid sick and vacation time Seven paid holidays per year Pet supplies available to purchase at cost

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$22.00 - $25.00 per hour

Benefits:

401(k) matching Employee discount Flexible spending account Health insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person