Veterinary Assistant - Temporary

The City of Seattle is seeking two (2) temporary Veterinary Assistants who are committed to providing compassionate and quality care to pets and low-cost spay and neuter surgeries to animals in need.

ABOUT US:
The Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) was founded in 1972 and has grown and expanded its programs and services to make it what it is today – a nationally recognized animal welfare organization. The shelter promotes public safety and animal welfare, protects animals from cruelty and neglect, runs animal sheltering and adoption programs to reunite lost animals with their owners, places animals in forever homes, and runs a spay and neuter clinic providing low-cost services serving more than 4,000 animals per year. In addition, SAS manages pet licenses and enforces Seattle's laws regarding animals.

SAS is part of the Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) is the backbone of the City of Seattle and a dynamic organization (Download PDF reader) comprised of eleven divisions and 450+ employees that provides $375 million a year in services to the City through an exciting portfolio of lines of businesses. FAS is a collaborative workplace with collective accountability to promote equity, respect, civility, integrity, inclusiveness and fairness (Download PDF reader) for all employees.

• Performs dental prophylaxis and assists Veterinarian with veterinary dental procedures.
• Assists the Shelter's veterinarian in examining, diagnosing, and treating various medical conditions related to animals in the Shelter's care.
• Prepares and administers pre-anesthetics, vaccines, microchips, and other drugs/medications to animals under the direction of the Veterinarian.
• Performs collection of laboratory samples includes urine, blood, feces, and other bodily fluids; prepares samples for interpretation or processing; operates in-house laboratory equipment and performs routine equipment maintenance. Obtains digital radiographs using proper safety techniques and prepares images for evaluation.
• Assists with animal cruelty investigations through animal examinations, documentation, on-scene observations and testifies in court as needed.
• Performs ear cleanings, nail trims, and other routine medical procedures under Veterinarian supervision. Assists with shelter animal intake as needed.
• Assists with foster and shelter animal medical appointments, medication and food refills, medical record keeping and inventory. Performs administrative duties and data entry commonly found in a clinic setting. Sells animal licenses.
• Performs humane euthanasia under the direction of the Veterinarian and Animal Care staff if no other senior medical staff are available.
• Prepares animals for surgery by shaving, scrubbing, and disinfecting the surgical site. Assists veterinarian during surgery by monitoring rate of animal's respiration, heart rate and color of mucous membranes; administering antibiotics and vaccines as indicated. Monitors post-operative condition; alerts and assists veterinarian with emergencies.
• Administers medications and treatments to shelter animals and applies medical protocols under the direction of the Veterinarian; participates in daily shelter health rounds.
• Clean, feeds, waters, and exercises animals; cleans animal cages. Washes clinic linens; loads washing and drying machines with cloths. Monitors supply inventory and orders supplies when needed.
• Operates and oversees the maintenance of the autoclave, anesthesia machines, oxygen generators, and other veterinary equipment.
• Cleans, disinfects, or sterilizes surgical supplies and equipment such as towels, wraps, drapes, instruments, clinic attire, and syringes.
• Admits and discharges animals and gives pre-and post-operative instructions.
• Restrains animals of varying sizes and temperaments when loading them into individual cages and when administering pre-anesthetics, vaccines, and other drugs/medications and during examinations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in the care and treatment of animals.

• Ability to lift and carry 40 pounds.
• Ability to lift and carry over 40 pounds with mechanical and/or personnel assistance.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office programs (including Excel, Word, Outlook) and electronic vet medical records; experience using PetPro, ClinicHQ + Petriage.

Note: This work involves frequent exposure to agitated animals, feces, blood, and disease.

The full salary range for this position is $24.92 - $29.03 per hour.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
For optimal consideration, please include a cover letter and resume with your application. We encourage you to use your cover letter to discuss why you want to do this work and how you meet the qualifications for the position. Your resume should summarize the talent, experience, knowledge, and skills you bring to this work.

Work Environment
This position requires onsite work. Alternative Work Arrangements and hybrid telework schedules for work conducted in a normal office environment may be considered and will be based on operational needs and consistency with FAS policies.

Background Check/Pre-Employment Physical: Applicants must successfully pass a background check and pre-employment physical exam, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

Why work at the City of Seattle?
The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.