Position Overview:
Functions as an expert on evaluating and providing medical treatment for animals in foster care with the Lexington Humane Society (LHS) and Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control (LFACC). Must be 21 years of age, have a high school diploma, submit to a background check, and be eligible for Kentucky State Euthanasia Specialist Certification. Must maintain strict confidentiality. Requires a strong commitment to the mission and purpose of LHS and LFACC. Prior experience as a Veterinary Assistant or Veterinary Technician is desired. This is a non-exempt position reporting to the Manager of Animal Welfare.
Key Accountabilities:
- Prioritizes compassionate and humane treatment of animals
- Determines age, breed, and sex of animals
- Facilitates foster wellness and diagnostic visits, including booster vaccinations, re-checks, and medical exams
- Administers vaccinations and medications
- Completes veterinary procedures as directed by LHS Veterinarian
- Triages foster care animals with LHS Veterinarian as needed
- Ensures ongoing medical treatment is provided
- Uses appropriate safety and Personal Protective Equipment
- Maintains company equipment with care and respect
- Maintains the foster care exam room as a clean, sanitized, stocked workplace
- Updates animal profiles based on evaluation and treatment
- Completes timely, accurate, appropriate data entry into Shelter Buddy
- Ensures records for animals in care are accessible, current, and accurate
- Responds to foster parents in a timely, professional, and consistent manner
- Resolves all foster parent concerns in a timely and respectful manner
- Communicates escalated issues to Manager of Animal Welfare as necessary
- Performs euthanasia as necessary in accordance with all laws and regulations
- Humanely and respectfully disposes of euthanized animals
- Ensures all drug logs and records are completed per state and federal regulations
- Disposes of medical waste in a proper fashion
- Maintains appropriate volunteer records and database information
- Completes all activities consistent with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge
- Current controlled substance laws and regulations
- LHS and relevant LFACC SOP
- Word, Excel, and other applicable software
- Animal breeds, basic behavior, temperament, and care
Skills
- Excellent internal and external customer service skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Strong organizational skills with an attention to detail
- Accurate and detailed data entry skills
Abilities
- Works in a team environment
- Self-motivates and works independently in a timely fashion
- Handles difficult situations
- Multitasks in a high-pressure environment
- Assimilates incoming information and immediately prioritizes
- Evaluates situations and determine correct level of response
- Makes decisions quickly and accurately
- Interfaces with other departments to ensure the humane treatment of animals
- Communicates respectfully with all levels of the organization
- Handles all types of animals, large and small
- Lifts animals, sometimes weighing in excess of 60 pounds
- Handles mental pressure of life and death decision-making
- Maintains flexibility and assists with what is needed for the betterment of the organization