Foster Veterinary Assistant

Description

JOB TITLE:  Foster Vet Assistant    DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM: Foster

REPORTS TO: Foster Manager   CLASSIFICATION: PT, hourly

SCHEDULE:  Friday through Tuesday, 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm    

The Kitsap Humane Society (KHS) is a progressive animal welfare shelter whose mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome homeless animals. We are committed to an open admissions policy, animal rehabilitation and a low euthanasia rate. 

Job Summary

The Foster Vet Assistant assists the Foster Manager in caring for the animals in the shelter awaiting foster placement and providing support for animals that are in foster care. We are seeking a Foster Vet Assistant who has experience working in the veterinary field, as one of the main priorities of the Foster Vet Assistant will be to oversee email and physical rechecks for the veterinary team for patients in foster care needing medical support. 

The Foster Vet Assistant should have experience and be comfortable dealing with critical care cases, including animals with severe injury or illness, neonatal kittens and puppies with or without moms, kittens and puppies in need of bottle and/or tube feeding, etc. The Foster Vet Assistant must be compassionate, empathetic, and resilient when dealing with critical cases, especially those that do not have a positive outcome. 

Job Duties

General Foster Program Support:

· Cleaning kennels in holding areas to ensure proper sanitation procedures and prevent disease transmission

· Sending foster requests for animals in need of foster

· Maintaining foster program tracking and communication systems 

· Coordinating foster pickup of animals going to foster, including gathering necessary paperwork and supplies

· Coordinating foster return for spay/neuter surgery and adoption placement, including setting up kennels for animals returning from foster and preparing necessary paperwork

· Tracking communication with foster parents in a clear way that is accessible to all foster team members 

· Responding to general foster inquiries and program applications 

· Addressing foster parent concerns with compassion and empathy 

· Ensuring the holding areas are clean and fully-stocked with supplies 

· Supporting Foster Manager with training volunteers and attending off-site events as needed 

· Other duties as assigned 

Veterinary Support:

· Responding to foster parent emails, texts, and phone calls 

· Triaging and scheduling veterinary checks for foster animals around foster parent and veterinarian availability 

· Coordinating appointments for vaccines and sending reminders via email to foster families

· Liaising with vet services on cases, advice, and next steps 

· Performing email rechecks for animals in foster under vet care, communicating medical updates to the veterinary team

· Tracking and administering vaccines and boosters for foster animals

· Keeping up to date and detailed records of conversations/emails/rechecks for each patient for communication to the vet team 

· Leading physical rechecks of foster animals including recording details from the foster parent, performing the physical exam, conferring with shelter veterinarians, taking medical notes during the exam, communicating medical information to foster parent

· Copying and filing completed treatment sheets for each patient 

· Administering medications and fluids to patients in foster care and preparing medications for foster parents 

· Caring for critical animals awaiting foster, including bottle or tube feeding neonatal kittens and puppies without moms

· Performing visual exams of foster animals and administering microchips in preparation for adoption

· Running and reading fecal exams for fosters 

· Running and reading snap test results for diseases including parvovirus and panleukopenia

· Other duties as assigned

 

Requirements

Qualifications and Requirements:

· One year experience working hands-on in the veterinary field or other applicable training/experience 

· One year experience working in customer service 

· One year experience working with domestic animals under 4 weeks old

· Must complete a pre-employment criminal record background check

· Be hard working and efficient, and have extremely strong time-management skills

· Be well-organized, attentive to detail, and able to multi-task in a busy, high-stress environment

· Have experience and confidence in handling cats, dogs, and other domestic animals of all ages, sizes, breeds, behaviors and temperaments

· Have experience administering vaccinations and microchips as well as performing other basic medical assessments, procedures and treatments

· Be computer literate (including Microsoft Office suite), social media savvy, and adept with mobile technology

· Have strong writing skills 

· Be a team player and able to work collaboratively and productively with volunteers, peers and other KHS staff

· Be able to communicate respectfully and effectively with people of all backgrounds and personalities

· Be flexible around our scheduling needs and be available at irregular hours, including occasional early mornings and late nights 

· Be positive and open minded towards progressive animal welfare strategies and policies

· Be understanding of the need for and comfort with euthanasia 

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Physical Requirements

· Ability to on occasion lift up to 50 pounds

· Bending at the waist, sitting, kneeling, crouching, walking, etc., as job may require

· Have a valid WA driver’s license and clean driving record

· Work environment may involve exposure to inclement weather, odors and/or loud noises, as well as the presence of restrained domestic animals

Benefits Summary:

Pay: $18.28/hour

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans

Employee Assistance Program

Accrual of paid vacation leave and sick leave

Established annual paid holidays

1 floating Holiday per year

Grow your family with one free pet Adoption per year

Please include a cover letter with your resume. This position will remain open until filled. Please, no phone calls.