Safely restrain and handle canine and feline rehabilitation
patients
Assist with patient transfers, mobility support, and
positioning
Prepare treatment areas and rehabilitation equipment prior to
patient appointments
Clean, disinfect, and maintain rehabilitation equipment and
treatment areas
Monitor patients during rehabilitation sessions and communicate
concerns promptly
Assist with therapeutic exercises and rehabilitation activities
as directed
Maintain accurate medical record documentation and treatment
logs
Provide professional client service and communication
Assist with inventory management and supply organization
Support veterinary students during rehabilitation appointments
and procedures
Follow all hospital safety, infection control, and OSHA
standards
Participates in continuing education and departmental
training
Perform other duties as assigned
Level I – Developing Rehabilitation Technician
Assistant
In addition to Core Responsibilities:
- Provides patient care and rehabilitation support under direct
supervision
- Demonstrates safe patient handling, restraint, and mobility
assistance techniques
- Assists with therapeutic exercises and rehabilitation
modalities as directed
- Maintains treatment areas, equipment, and supplies according to
departmental standards
- Accurately documents treatments and patient observations in the
medical record
- Provides professional client interactions and reinforces
prescribed home care instructions
- Demonstrates developing knowledge of rehabilitation principles,
patient safety, and infection control practices.
- Builds foundational teaching and teamwork skills while
supporting veterinary students and clinical staff
Level II – Proficient Rehabilitation Technician
Assistant
In addition to Core Responsibilities:
- Independently supports rehabilitation appointments and patient
treatments with minimal supervision
- Assists with or performs advanced therapeutic exercises,
rehabilitation modalities, and mobility support for complex
patients.
- Recognizes changes in patient comfort, mobility, and treatment
response and communicates findings appropriately.
- Supports client education by reinforcing treatment plans and
home exercise programs
- Assists with equipment maintenance, inventory management, and
workflow efficiency initiatives
- Serves as a resource for Level I assistants and participates in
onboarding and training activities
- Demonstrates strong organizational, communication, and
problem-solving skills within the rehabilitation service.
- Contributes to a positive teaching environment through support
of students, faculty, and clinical staff
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position does not include direct supervisory responsibilities
but may assist in training and mentoring veterinary students and
Level I Rehabilitation Veterinary Technician Assistants.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to
perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable
accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities
to perform the essential functions. Must have regular, predictable,
in-person attendance and be able to work in a constant state of
alertness and safe manner.
Other Qualifications
- Proficiency in general veterinary assistant skills, patient
care, and outpatient clinical procedures.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with
clients and students.
- Dedication to team-based care, client service, and patient
well-being.
- Willing to work flexible hours, including evenings or weekends
as needed.
- Ability to adapt to a dynamic teaching environment.
Education and/or Experience
- High school diploma or GED required.
Level I:
- Previous animal handling experience
- Veterinary assistant, small animal, animal care, or
rehabilitation experience preferred.
Level II:
- Veterinary Technician Assistant Certification preferred
- Minimum 2-4 years of progressive clinical experience in a
veterinary rehabilitation setting.
General Knowledge
- Understand the scope of general practice veterinary services
and common small animal conditions.
- Be familiar with breeds and coat colors.
- Follow OSHA standards. Be able to find Material Safety Data
Sheets quickly.
- Know and use standard medical and business abbreviations.
- Use proper medical terminology and spelling when speaking and
writing.
- Be familiar with infectious diseases, including their
prevention and steps to reduce or eliminate transmission. Know the
most common zoonotic diseases (infections from animals to
humans).
Computer Skills
Ability to learn veterinary practice information management
software. Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Physical Demands
Must be able to stand for long periods and lift animals or
equipment up to 40 pounds without assistance. Assist in lifting or
moving heavier animals with team support.
Animal Allergies Statement
No inhibiting allergies to animals, hay, or dust.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are
representative of those an employee encounters while performing the
essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be
made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is
usually moderate.
Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit organization
that provides graduate and post-graduate education in the health
sciences. The University has two campuses, one in Downers Grove,
Illinois and the other in Glendale, Arizona. More than 6,000
full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic
medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies,
physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia,
cardiovascular perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology,
speech language pathology, biomedical sciences and veterinary
medicine. Over 500 full-time faculty members and 400 staff members
are dedicated to the education and development of our students in
an environment that encourages learning, respect for all members of
the health care team, service, interdisciplinary scholarly
activity, and personal growth.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical,
dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance,
short/long term disability and pet insurance. We offer flexible
spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and
child/dependent care account. We offer a work life balance with
competitive time off package including paid holiday’s, sick/flex
days, personal days and vacation days. We offer a 403(b) retirement
plan, tuition reimbursement, child care subsidy reimbursement
program, identity theft protection and an employee assistance
program. Wellness is important to us and we offer a wellness
facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility.
Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action
employer that does not discriminate against an employee or
applicant based upon race; color; religion; creed; national origin
or ancestry; ethnicity; sex (including pregnancy); gender
(including gender expressions, gender identity; and sexual
orientation); marital status; age; disability; citizenship; past,
current, or prospective service in the uniformed services; genetic
information; or any other protected class, in accord with
all federal, state and local laws and regulations. Midwestern
University complies with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act (A.R.S.
36-601.01) and the Smoke Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/).
Midwestern University complies with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of
2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with
Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights
pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information,
please review the
Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
