PAWS is looking for an experienced veterinary assistant/technician to join our medical team at both of our Wellness Clinics! We are Philadelphia’s largest animal rescue partner and have a large and diverse caseload of in-house, foster, and client-owned animals that need a dedicated, compassionate, and versatile person to care for their daily needs. The ideal candidate has experience assisting veterinarians in clinic appointments, is outgoing, patient, and a strong communicator with clients and coworkers.

 

General Position Summary:

Veterinary assistants are integral members of PAWS’ medical team, being key players in our low-cost Wellness Clinics, and our veterinarians’ right-hand helpers. Veterinary assistants interact regularly with the public and owned pets, as well as foster parents and shelter animals, and must strive to provide excellent customer service and positive experiences for these individuals at all times. Veterinary assistants must treat people and animals with respect and compassion and foster a spirit of teamwork.

 

Primary Duties:

•   – Handle and restrain pets visiting the clinic in a safe, effective and humane manner, including larger and possibly untrained or fearful animals.
•   – Assist veterinarians and collaborate with other veterinary technicians to perform daily medical tasks.
•   – Gather histories on clinic clients for the clinic veterinarian, with an eye for detail.
•   – Prepare medications and other treatments for clinic clients at the direction of the clinic veterinarian and assist the veterinarian with discharging clinic clients.
•   – Communicate respectfully and patiently with clinic clients about PAWS clinic procedures and their pet’s health.
•   – Perform and accurately record examinations, vaccinations, and medical treatments for publicly owned and shelter animals under the direction of veterinarians using PAWS’ record keeping systems.
•   – Administer first aid treatments and medications to sick and injured animals.
•   – Perform or prepare laboratory tests and diagnostics including fungal cultures, fecal flotations, cytologies, blood smears, and digital radiographs.
•   – Admit and release animals in a responsive, courteous, and tactful manner, and communicate pertinent medical information to volunteers, staff, and the public.
•   – Assist in maintaining healthy, safe, sanitary, pleasant and clean facilities for animals under the care of PAWS.
•   – Participate in job related trainings and professional development activities.
•   – Follow procedures governing safe work practices including, but not limited to, wearing protective clothing and safely operating medical equipment when necessary.
•   – Promote a humane and caring attitude toward all animals and treat all animals compassionately and respectfully at all times, including sick, injured, feral or aggressive animals.
•   – Other duties as assigned.

 

Required Skills and Qualities:

•   – Minimum of one year of experience working in a shelter, animal hospital, and/or private veterinary practice.
•   – Minimum of two years of experience working in a general practice or wellness clinic setting, with experience taking histories and discharging pets.
•   – Ability to read, write and understand English.
•   – Computer proficient in Microsoft office.
•   – Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
•   – Strong sense of initiative and ability to problem-solve, identifying tasks that need to be accomplished and prioritizing appropriately, working independently with minimal supervision and direction.
•   – Flexibility, maturity, and ability to manage multiple tasks and accommodate varied work assignments and schedules.
•   – Ability to communicate effectively with a culturally diverse staff, volunteers and community in a professional and pleasant manner.
•   – The ability to remain pleasant and calm even in stressful situations, and to turn people down, firmly when necessary, without becoming aggressive or unpleasant.

 

Physical Requirements:

•   – Ability to work with and around animals including diseased, injured and/or vicious animals.
•   – Ability to walk and/or stand on your feet throughout a normal workday and tolerate loud noises.
•   – Allergic conditions, which would be aggravated when handling or working with animals, may be a disqualification.
•   – Ability to lift and move objects and animals weighing up to 50 pounds for short distances and to humanely restrain an animal when necessary.

 

Educational Requirements:

•   – High school diploma or equivalent is required.
•   – Post-secondary education in the veterinary sciences field preferred but not required.

 

Work Location/Schedule:

•   – Part time positions are available at both PAWS clinics (Northeast and Grays Ferry). Ability to work at both locations preferred but not required.
•  – Part time schedules are 3-4 days per week, including at least one weekend day per week. A minimum of 8 hours per day is required.

 

Interested? We want to hear from you! Please send us your resume and cover letter via this form.