Shelter Medicine Assistant Level Three

The Shelter Medicine Assistant Level Three performs a variety of animal health care duties and assists the veterinarian in examining and preparing animals for surgery and adoption. The Shelter Medicine Assistant Level 3 ensures high quality animal care in accordance with the AHS mission and goals and communicates effectively with peers, volunteers, and leadership.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Promote a culture of teamwork, positivity, compassion, and performance excellence
• Conduct physical exams and relay pertinent information to the Veterinarian
• Handle animals in a humane and gentle manner according to established safety policies and procedures and Fear Free methodologies
• Calculate drug dosages for individual animals
• Administer intravenous, subcutaneous, and intramuscular injections
• Perform induction and intubation of patients for surgical procedures
• Monitor anesthesia through recovery and understand basic anesthesia principles
• Preparation of surgical patients using aseptic technique
• Place intravenous catheters
• Accurately enters and maintains records in shelter medical database
• Sterilizes surgical instruments and keeps up with laundry
• Remain alert and aware of animal behavior and physical condition
• Report concerns to appropriate departments or managers
• Maintain safe and sanitary areas for animals to ensure they are clean, dry, and comfortable
• Properly cleans and disinfects animal holding facilities according to established protocols
• Collect samples for diagnostic testing, including blood draws, feces and urine collection, radiographs, etc.
• Accurately perform diagnostic tests as requested by the Veterinarians including but not limited to fecal flotation, ELISA tests (parvovirus, heartworm, FeLV/FIV), TiterChek tests, urinalyses, and Woods lamp evaluation
• Interacts with other departments to provide information and care
• Work cooperatively with other departments, volunteers, and locations to accomplish departmental and AHS goals
• Provides relief assistance to other locations
• Other duties as assigned