Position Overview
This position is a temporary role to provide coverage during a medical leave, with the potential to transition into a permanent opportunity for a suitable candidate. The role of the Animal Care Aide (ACA) is one that demands great versatility. Your primary objectives are always excellent client and patient care. Your time will be divided equally amongst hospital upkeep, caring for pets, and assisting the veterinarians or technicians, and administrative duties such as labelling leashes and carriers and other pet belongings, it is our commitment and pleasure to work with our clients to ensure we provide the best advice and care at all times.
Reporting Structure
You report to the Hospital Managers.
Skills
Excellent communication skills. Knowledge of basic veterinary terminology is required for accurate medical record maintenance and effective co-worker-based communication. Knowledge of/ability to learn commonly used computer programs and veterinary software is needed. You will be required to preform basic math calculations, Enthusiasm, self-motivation, and empathy are necessary to excel at the job. You should be people oriented, able to prioritize and work calmly under pressure. A good understanding of animal behavior and proper restraint technique is paramount. Adaptability and flexibility are key traits to possess in this role.
Working Conditions
Must be able to work with unpleasant odors, noises, as well you must not be adverse to the sight of blood or bodily fluids. You may be exposed to contagious diseases and injury as a result of animal handling. Physical requirements are that you must be able to lift up to 50lbs, bend frequently, and stand for extended periods of time. Emergency or difficult situations will arise during which you must remain calm and focused.
Responsibilities
As an ACA your job involves client care, animal care, hospital cleanliness, and administrative duties. You may be called upon to fill a “float” position where you are in multiple areas of the clinic at different times during your shift or your duties change with each shift. The ACA is able to complete all of the duties listed in the job description and work with the checklist for their position for the Dr CCR and the Surgical CCR, as well as the following:
Client Care
Has a sound knowledge base of all commonly performed tests and procedures, prescription diets, and OTC products; greets clients and their pets by name; discusses any basic preventive medicine topics with clients such as parasite prevention, dental health, home-care, nutrition, and grooming; ensures clients have all necessary literature, medications and food recommended by the veterinarian. You may also assist with traffic flow in the reception area if it becomes busy with clients and their pets, by directing patient into open exam rooms.
Animal Care
Prepares patient cage cards, and label belongings and indicates all special requests, needs, and/or supplies brought by owner in appropriate locations; prepares, assists with or administers oral and topical medications; prepare prescriptions and/or assists win counting pills, provides patient restraint for a variety of procedures (treatments, surgery, diagnostics); prepares lab requisitions and samples for in house and external testing/shipping; able to runs all bloodwork on in house machines; sets up fecal floats; provides basic grooming such as nail trims and ear cleaning; sets up and properly cares for patient monitory and treatment devices such as pulse oximeter, blood pressure monitor, IV pumps etc.’ sets up, and assists with x rays; assists with or performs patient preparation for surgery; charts finding during dental prophylaxis; can read all monitoring numbers to technician if needed; monitors patient recovery from anesthesia; maintains all relevant patient logs; enters treatments and comments in patient record; upholds all patient care and safety policies in effect; assists the technicians and veterinarians as requested; takes dogs safely outside to eliminate as needed; closely monitors all hospitalized pet sand immediately alerts technicians or veterinarians of any change in status; cleans pets and their bedding as needed (vomit, diarrhea, etc.); considers patient and coworker safety at all times; is always an advocate for the pet.
Hospital Cleaning
Understands the principles of cleaning and disinfection and knows the appropriate products and contact time required; vacuum, dust, mop, etc. to ensure all areas of the hospital are kept clean, free of clutter, hazards, and foul or strong odors with particular attention paid to the consultation rooms, treatment area, surgical and radiology suites, and isolations room; maintains cleaning supplies and other supplies needed in afore mention areas; cleans, sterilizes, and prepares surgical packs, gowns, etc.; follows all daily and weekly checklists and safety protocols for cleaning and care of the hospital and its equipment; ensure all patient environment are kept clean as needed (litter boxes emptied when soiled, water and food dishes cleaned); ensures proper disposal of bio hazardous materials.
General
The ACA effectively communicates with all team members; has a good grasp on how to access/utilize commonly used tools for communication such as the computer, email, fax, etc.; is involved in receiving and stocking food and supply orders; follows all protocols put in place for a safe, environmentally friendly workplace; understands the principles of proper medical record keeping and upholds the necessary standard; deals tactfully and respectfully with all difficult situations that arise; maintains patient/client confidentiality at all times; attends all team building and training sessions; contributes positively to the hospital environment; shows respect, empathy, and kindness to all clients, patients and coworkers; is always an advocate for the animal.
Other duties and responsibilities may be added from time to time.
Pay: $17.85-$22.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Store discount
- Vision care
Work Location: In person
