Veterinary Assistant (Jurupa Valley)

Full Job Description

The County of Riverside’s Department of Animal Services is seeking to fill one Veterinary Assistant vacancy assigned to the Jurupa Valley location.

The selected candidate will have experience providing animal care in a shelter or fast-paced environment.

Competitive candidates will demonstrate strong animal handling skills with animals of varying sizes and temperaments, along with coursework or hands-on experience in veterinary medicine, anatomy, or surgical assisting.

The Veterinary Assistant is an entry-level classification and reports to a Supervising Registered Veterinary Technician.

The County Spay and Neuter Program and shelter functions as part of the Veterinary Services Division of the Riverside County Department of Animal Services.

Sterilization surgeries are performed on small animals (e.g., dogs, cats and rabbits), and shelter animals are examined and treated for minor illnesses or injuries.

The Veterinary Assistant is distinguished from the Registered Veterinary Technician classification in that the latter is registered by the California Veterinary Medical Board and performs the more complex pre-surgery and post-surgery care of animals as allowable under their certification.

Instruction, guidance, and supervision is received from a Veterinary Surgeon or Supervising Registered Veterinary Technician.

Upon obtaining a valid Registered Veterinary Technician certificate, incumbents may promote to the Registered Veterinary Technician classification with a satisfactory performance evaluation.

Requirements

• Assist a Veterinary Surgeon in the administration of physical examinations to determine surgical fitness of animals by handling animals during the examination.

• Prepare instruments and medical supplies for Veterinary Surgeon's use; prepare animals for sterilization surgery and assist with anesthesia procedures.

• Provide the Veterinary Surgeon with supplies needed during the sterilization surgery of animals; provide support for any emergencies that might arise.

• Monitor animals during surgery as needed; observe animals after surgery to detect any abnormal behavior or physical symptoms and report findings to the Veterinary Surgeon.

• Clean and prepare surgical packs and instruments for sterilization prior to surgery; provide general care for and feed animals.

• Under direction, render first aid, medical treatment, and therapy as required for hospitalized animals.

• Assist with admittance and discharge of animals to and from clinic.

• Assist in training clinic personnel; order necessary materials and medications required by the Spay and Neuter Facility and Shelter.

• Assist with filling prescriptions; assist spay and neuter staff with daily operations.

• Observe general shelter population for illness and/or injury.

• Assist veterinarians in treating shelter animals, including a variety of exotic animals, through the restraining and managing of many different species.

• Clean and prepare workspaces before and after procedures including the surgical suite, surgical preparation area, animal receiving, animal holding, and recovery rooms.

Qualifications

OPTION I

Education: None required.

Experience: Two years of experience providing care and treatment to animals under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian at a veterinary clinic, shelter, or animal hospital.

(Completion of 30 semester or 45 quarter units in animal health, animal science, zoology, or a related field to the assignment may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience.)

OPTION II

Education: None required.

Experience: Three years of experience in the care and handling of animals within a shelter, clinic, or similar public or private agency.

(Completion of 30 semester or 45 quarter units in animal health, animal science, zoology, or a related field to the assignment may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience.) Six months of the experience must have been providing direct clinical support.

ALL OPTIONS

Experience: Six months of experience providing direct clinical support such as administering medications, preparing animals for surgery, and assist with anesthesia procedures.

Knowledge of: Safe, humane, and efficient methods for the care and treatment of small animals, particularly dogs and cats; equipment and procedures used at a veterinary clinic; physical and behavioral characteristics of small animals; substances and methods used to clean and disinfect animal habitats.

Ability to: Care for small animals; recognize abnormal behavioral and physical symptoms in small animals; safely handle and maintain clinic medical instruments and equipment; deal tactfully and effectively with the public; maintain simple records and make reports as necessary.

Physical exposures: This position may require working in an environment with exposure to animal smells, dander, excrement, fluids/wounds, and aggressive animals. The Veterinary Assistant may assist with euthanasia of animals and/or lifting of animals for disposal and impounding.

Additional Information

For questions regarding this recruitment:
Please contact Valeria Ramirez at 951-955-1943 or varamirez@rivco.org. Please allow 1-2 business days for a response to general inquiries.

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