Kennel Assistant at Advanced Pet Care of Sedalia

Advanced Pet Care of Sedalia is a cutting edge, full-service, small animal practice that provides comprehensive medical, surgical, and dental care. We provide a broad spectrum of diagnostic procedures through in-house testing and the use of external laboratories.

The facility includes 4 exam rooms, open treatment area, individual DVM workstations and amenities such as:

• Well stocked pharmacy
• Ultrasound
• 2 Anesthesia machines
• Surgical Laser
• Digital Radiology
• Updated dental unit and digital dental radiographs
• Avimark software
• Closely supervised hospitalization area
• Indoor kennels and outdoor walking areas

The Kennel Assistant provides care and the basic needs of animals that are patients of Advanced Pet Care of Sedalia (APCS) including cleaning of cages, runs and ward areas, laundry, walking, and proper feeding, medication and care of all hospitalized patients.  The kennel assistant operates under the supervision of the Practice Manager.

Primary Job Responsibilites:

• Observe animal appearance and activity for general physical condition, obvious signs of illness, disease and discontent.
• Handle animals as required and restrain animal.
• Walk hospitalized dogs over lunch hour, and as needed, to provide exercise and time for elimination of bowels and bladder.
• Provide care for animals visiting the Hospital. Report signs of illness, disease injury or unusual activity to animal health technicians/veterinarians.
• Apply knowledge of normal food and liquid requirements of animals. As required, provide special food and liquids.
• Discharge and admit animals at the request of receptionists, practitioners and animal health technicians. Assure animals being discharged have been checked by animal health technicians and/or practitioner.  Ensure that animals are clean and fresh smelling prior to discharge.
• Under the supervision of veterinarians or technicians assist with the administration of medications, post operative care or preparation of samples for laboratory examination, collect specimens, clean instruments, fill prescriptions as authorized.
• Ensure that cages and animals are properly numbered and identified and that personal property *toys, treats, blankets, leashes, etc.) are stored in the proper area and identified.
• Clean, disinfect and maintain kennels, cages, and runs as often as is necessary to ensure no cages or kennels are soiled and odors are not apparent. Perform general cleaning in other areas of the hospital to control the spread of disease.  Wash and sterilize water and food bowls.
• Launder and dry towels and blankets.
• Patrol hospital grounds daily, picking up any trash and stool material. Empty trash.
• Record any information needed. Exhibit a technical knowledge of products and medications sold, including dietary products.  Demonstrate the ability to explain and educate clients on products and answer their questions regarding product purchase/use. 
• Work well with all employees and ensure that your actions support the hospital, the doctors and the practice philosophy.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
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Controls Over Work
The Kennel Assistant works under the direct supervision of the Practice Manager and Dr. Jones, who will indicate general assignments, limitations and priorities.  Practitioners/animal health technicians provide specific instructions in giving medications, feeding specific diets or following special sanitary procedures.  Recurring assignemtnes are performed independently.  Deviations or unfamiliar situations are refereed to the supervisor.

Physical Effort
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job.

• Frequently required to bend, stand, stoop, walk, sit, communicate, and listen frequently working in a bent position.
• Frequently use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel; will reach with hands and arms.
• Use strength or agility in capturing and restraining stronger, more active animals.
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Occasionally handle dogs weighing up to and over 150 pounds. Assistance will be provided by animal handlers when working with larger animals.

Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to hazards associated with aggressive patients; hazards associated with infected animals and controlled substances; exposure to unpleasant odors and noises; exposure to bites, scratches and animal wastes; possible exposure to contagious diseases.
Work is normally performed inside; some outside work is required.
Follow federal and state animal health laws and regulations including OSHA and DEA.

• Patience & Compassion: Remaining professional while still making Doctors, teammates, clients, and patients feel as comfortable as possible regardless of the situation or challenges presented.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Carefully coordinating actions with practice team members. Quickly incorporating feedback to ensure positive results.  Sharing ideas and being open to other’s ideas.  Continually looking for ways to help others.
• Communicating: Conveying boarding outcomes to clients and teammates to ensure successful client care.
• Active Listening: Following the expressed wishes of clients.
• Client Satisfaction: Ensuring all activities and interactions result in the highest level of client satisfaction.

• Apply knowledge and skills in controlling/handling individual animal temperament.
• Ability to gain animal confidence when restraining them for treatment.
• Knowledge of proper methods of animal restraint.
• Ability to use cleaning materials and equipment with skill and efficiency.
• Ability to perform moderately heavy physical labor.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing client and personal services. This includes client needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services and evaluation of client satisfaction.
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules and composition, and grammar.
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks as well as to accept direction on given assignments. Understand and carry out oral and written direction.

• Ability to handle and to restrain animals using appropriate procedures.
• Ability to walk animals.
• Ability to clean and maintain kennels, cages, and runs. Perform general cleaning in treatment, reception and surgery rooms to control the spread of disease.  Wash and sterilize water and food bowls.
• Ability to observe animal appearance and activity for general physical condition, obvious signs of illness, disease and discontent.
• Regular attendance and timeliness are an essential function in order to fulfill the requirements of this position.
• Strong communication and client service skills. Considerable tact and diplomacy is required.  Ability to work with clients and patients in a professional, friendly, hospitable manner.
• Work well with all employees and ensure that your actions support the hospital, the doctors, and the medicine that we practice.
• Perform general physical activities that require bending, standing, stooping, moving from room to room, sit, talk, and listen; may be required to walk or stand for long periods of time; will use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel; will reach with hands and arms.
• Frequently lift, carry dogs weighing 40 lbs. Walk and handle dogs weighing up to 150 lbs.

• Paid time off
• Health insurance; dental insurance; vision insurance
• Retirement benefits or accounts
• Bonus incentive
• Flexible work schedules
• Career and professional development
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Referral Program

Benefits offered may vary depending on full or part time employment status according to company policy.