Medical Care Specialist
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Medical Care Specialist is tasked with helping the Veterinary and Animal Care teams at McKamey Animal Center ensure that animals are properly vaccinated, medicated, and receive other necessary veterinary attention. They also support vaccine clinics and other services for the general public, and may assist the Veterinary team with other activities. Day-to-day responsibilities typically include performing examinations on incoming animals and providing vaccinations; preparing and distributing medications to sheltered animals; and serving as a liaison between MAC’s Veterinary Team and the Animal Care Team to ensure that animal medical needs are being met.
SALARY AND SCHEDULE
· Hourly Rate: $16.00
· Schedule: Flexible, weekends and evening work likely
· Benefits: Medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, holidays, retirement plan, Paid Time Off
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES (includes, but not limited to):
· Perform examinations of incoming animals and ensure that they are properly vaccinated.
· Ensure that medications for sheltered animals are accurately and timely administered.
· Ensure that all relevant data input and paperwork is completed, and that charts and log sheets are accurately maintained.
· Provide ongoing support to animal care and animal services staff to ensure that animal medical needs are appropriately identified, recorded and addressed.
· Assist in treatment of Center animals by performing and documenting routine health checks, including drawing and processing diagnostic work; identifying, properly documenting and treating common medical conditions, as prescribed by a veterinarian; and properly assessing and following written protocols for ill/injured animals while providing supportive care.
· Support community outreach activities like vaccine/microchip clinics as assigned, assuring the highest quality animal care and customer service support.
· Communicate effectively and compassionately with other staff, supervisors and the general public, and ensure the highest standards of professionalism and customer service whenever interacting with others.
· Work closely with MAC veterinary, animal services and animal care staff to ensure the highest standards of animal health, welfare and lifesaving.
· Perform humane euthanasia in accordance with shelter standards, as required
· Perform other duties as assigned.
Job Qualifications and Skills
● Strong animal handling skills and demonstrated understanding of basic animal health, care and welfare issues.
● Ability to safely and humanely medicate animals.
● Ability to appropriately and ethically manage and disseminate prescribed veterinary drugs.
● Computer savvy.
● Ability to maintain composure in an often stressful and emotional work environment.
● Ability to make sound judgments and work independently and in a team setting in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
● Proven organizational skills and attention to detail, and effective record keeping ability.
● Ability to relate to and confer with Veterinarians, shelter leadership, co-workers and the general public in a positive and constructive manner at all times; ability to exercise good judgment when dealing with the public and when making decisions in the absence of leadership.
Education and Experience Required
● High School diploma required.
● Minimum of 2 years of work experience in an animal shelter, veterinary practice or similar setting required.
● Formal veterinary assistance/technician training strongly preferred.
● Demonstrated proficiency in animal medical care, including drawing blood, administering vaccinations and medications, and safely securing animals for veterinary procedures.
● Fear free certification highly desirable.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands 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.
● Potential for standing/walking/bending up to eight to ten (8-10) hours a day.
● Must be able to performing physical tasks like animal restraint, physical examinations of animals, scrubbing cages, cleaning floors and more.
● Must be proficient in handling syringes and needles.
● Must have quick reflexes and ability to use both hands simultaneously (example: open cage door while handling animal, react to escaping animal).
● Occasional lifting of up to a hundred (100) pounds with assistance.
● Ability to bend and squat in order to leash/harness, and/or pick up an animal.
● Ability to see well enough to move safely around the building, distinguish animal body language, read instructions, and read an animal’s paperwork.
● Ability to hear if an animal is giving warning signs, such as growling, yelping or hissing.
● Ability to effectively communicate verbally.
● Ability to cope with a very loud environment due to animal noises.
● Must not have strong allergies to dogs, cats or other companion animals that can’t be managed by medication, or to chemicals used in grooming or cleaning. Must not be highly allergic to peanut butter.
● Ability to deal with strong and unpleasant odors and feces.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
● Exposure to high noise levels, zoonotic diseases, and animal bites/scratches when handling animals.
● Exposure to all weather conditions when outdoors.
McKamey Animal Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We reserve the right conduct criminal background checks and requires drug testing of all employment candidates.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person