PT Wards (Kennel) Assistant

At Pacific and Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists, our team shares a passion for exceptional patient care and a deep sense of teamwork. We work closely across departments to ensure every pet receives the highest quality of care and every client feels supported. Our culture is built on collaboration, respect, and learning. Team members are encouraged to grow their skills through mentorship, continuing education, and hands-on experience in a supportive environment

Position Overview

• Under direction of lead technicians/lead assistants, provides for the constant cleanliness of cages, runs, all outdoor areas surrounding of the hospital property, and all areas inside of the hospital. Ensures proper feeding and patient care of all hospitalized animals assigned.  Assists in all departments.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides attentive, thorough and compassionate care to all patients, including but not limited to: boarding, pre and post anesthesia, pre and post radiation therapy, stray or lost animals, and cats receiving radioactive iodine therapy.


• Cleans and sanitizes all cages, runs, wards and related areas including dog park and walkways;


• Gives baths (ordinary cleansing, medicated) and does whatever grooming may be necessary to the treatment and constant cleanliness of each animal;


• Recognizes and records any unusual condition or abnormal behavior of any hospitalized animal; observes animals recovering from anesthesia;


• Feeds and medicates each animal as prescribed by the attending D.V.M. and records appetites; keeps kitchen area clean and neat.


• Receives animals to be admitted for hospital care and is responsible for their proper identification and for recording their respective locations;


• Releases animals to their owners as directed by the attending doctor and technician and insures that every animal released is clean, properly groomed and has all required medications or belongings.


• Assists doctors, technicians, assistants and other personnel with the administration of medications, patient restraint, and any other duties as requested.


• Responsible for laundry for the hospital including wards, ICU, surgery and treatment.


• Assist in overall hospital cleaning and organization.


• Water plants in the planters in the front and back of the hospital.


• Empty the trash and sweep in the front of the building in the morning and in the evening. Wash down front walk of the hospital.


• Enters accurate charges for all the patients in wards in a timely fashion.


• Assist in unloading and checking in pet food orders when they arrive from the vendors.


• Separate out and tag any special orders, and call the owners to let them know their food has arrived.


• Distribute any food ordered for in house use to the proper places.


• Add other new food to stock by rotating the old food to the front and the new food to the back. Clean and organize food storage areas, maintaining safety and cleanliness standards at all times.


• Completing task lists in a timely manner.


• Checking in with all departments and/or leads before you leave.

Minimum Qualifications (Required)

• High school diploma or GED


• Previous work experience


• Able to work as a team or independently


• Experience doing laundry


• May consider an equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience

Knowledge Of:   

• Cleaning and disinfecting methods and the use and care of cleaning materials and equipment; infectious disease protocol;


• Proper methods of animal handling and restraint;

Ability To:           

• Sympathetically and patiently treat sick and injured animals;


• Learn to administer medications and recognize abnormal conditions;


• Use cleaning materials and equipment with skill and efficiency;


• Perform moderately heavy physical labor including: ability to lift up to 50lbs without assistance, standing, squatting, bending and kneeling for extended periods of time.


• Understand and carry out oral and written directions;


• Maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work;

Education: Equivalent to completion of 12^th grade

Desirable Qualifications

Knowledge of: Basic pharmacology; supplemental courses in the field of Biological Science, Anatomy, and Physiology, Nursing, Medical Assisting or Veterinary Technology;

Experience: Previous experience in a veterinary hospital or related medical field.

Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)

• Previous experience with animals is a plus!


• Some experience working at a kennel or animal hospital preferred

Schedule

• Monday from 3PM-11:30PM


• Saturday and Sunday 7AM-3:30PM, including some holidays


• Would need to be able to work the provided shifts.