Veterinary Assistant

Veterinary Assistant

Company: Auburn University

Job Location: Auburn University, 36849-5207

Category: Veterinary Services

Type: Full-Time

Salary Range: USD $32,740.00/Yr. - USD $48,250.00/Yr.

Locations: Auburn University, Alabama

Categories: Veterinary & Animal Care

Job Type: Non-Faculty

Position Type: Full-Time

Department: Veterinary Teaching Hospitals

Associated Division: College of Veterinary Medicine

Req ID: 8094

Overview

The mission of the Auburn University Oncology Service is to help animals with cancer achieve longer, happier lives. Working closely with the College of Veterinary Medicine's other specialty departments, the members of our medical, surgical, and radiation oncology team can provide well-rounded care and specialty testing for the diagnosis of cancer. Treatment options include surgery, injectable and oral chemotherapy, immunotherapy, electrochemotherapy, and radiation therapy - including intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) via a state-of-the-art Varian EdgeTM linear accelerator. Additionally, our clinical trials may offer innovative diagnostics or treatment options for certain cancer types.

The assistant selected for this position will aid in the care and assist with diagnostics, procedures, and treatments of veterinary patients primarily within the Oncology Service of the Bailey Small Animal Teaching Hospital. The individual will provide technical assistance and support to senior veterinary students, post-doctoral interns and residents, as well as faculty members, with a team-focus on patient care. The successful candidate personifies our hospital's goal to treat every client with the utmost courteous and attentive treatment, with great awareness of the emotional bond between owners and pets.

The hours for this position will be scheduled Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00am to 5:30pm, with some flexibility required.

Responsibilities

• Providing exceptional care to patients and compassion to clients of the Bailey Small Animal Teaching Hospital
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively individually as well as with team-members in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment
• Communicating with clients to obtain thorough patient histories; providing accurate and relevant information about patients to attending clinicians and veterinary students; recording important information into patient's electronic medical record
• Proficiency in small animal restraint techniques to promote the safety of patients and personnel; obtaining laboratory samples via phlebotomy, fine needle aspiration, or other methods; implementation, monitoring, and recovery of patients prescribed sedation/anesthetic plans
• Teaching, coaching, and assisting senior veterinary students with specialized technical tasks
• Clipping and cleaning for various surgical procedures and biopsies; preparing for and maintaining sterile fields for procedures
• Administering intravenous, subcutaneous, and oral chemotherapy to patients via prescribed protocols; demonstrating meticulous intravenous catheter placement skills; prioritizing safe handling of hazardous drugs
• Operating and maintaining equipment; inventorying, ordering, and stocking supplies; cleaning and disinfecting clinic area according to hospital protocols and standards; appropriate handling of medical/biological/infectious/hazardous waste

Desired Qualifications:

Experience in the care and comfort of animals, as well as detailed knowledge with the oncologic patient. Ability to obtain needed information to select and adapt methods and procedures. Skill in using specialized techniques and equipment to resolve operational problems not full covered by precedents.

Please Note:

• This position involves direct contact with animals susceptible to rabies.
• Employees in this role must complete a rabies pre-exposure vaccination series and maintain adequate rabies antibody titer (>=0.5 IU/mL) as recommended by CDC guidelines.
• Auburn University will cover the cost of the rabies vaccination series, periodic titer checks, and any necessary boosters.

Qualifications

Level II:

High school diploma or equivalent plus 2 years of experience working in a veterinary hospital environment.

Level III:

High school diploma or equivalent plus 4 years of experience working in a veterinary hospital environment.

Substitutions allowed for Experience:

When a candidate has the required education, but lacks the required experience, they may normally apply additional appropriate education toward the experience requirement, at a rate of one (1) year relevant education per year of required experience.