Kennel Assistant at State Road Animal Hospital

Practice:

At State Road Animal Hospital, our experienced veterinary team is dedicated to providing the best and most up-to-date veterinary care. From wellness exams and vaccinations, surgical needs, nutrition counseling, diagnostics, and more–we are committed to helping our clients protect their pet's health for years to come. 

Reporting into the Practice Manager, the Kennel Assistant provides care to address the needs of patients that are visiting the practice for grooming and / or boarding.  The Kennel Assistant ensures that the boarding area is clean and safe for all patients by cleaning cages, runs, and ward areas and washing laundry.  The Kennel Assistant walks, feeds, and administers medication to patients (as needed and supervised by Doctor or Technician and based on confidence and experience). The ideal candidate is able to work a flexible schedule to include weekends and holidays.

Expected work schedule (subject to change based on the needs of the practice):

Shifts will alternate with other kennel staff between mornings, evenings, and every other weekend. 

Weekday morning shifts are 8 AM to 12 PM and weekday evening shifts are 2 PM to 5:30 or later (until all duties are finished). 

Weekends have some flexibility as far as the length of each shift. 

Saturdays are 8 AM to 1 PM and then returning at 5 PM. 

Saturdays are 8 AM to 1 PM while the clinic is open, and the employee can either take a lunch and come back at 2, for example, and stay until at least 5 PM when the boarders will be walked and fed for the evening.  Or, they can leave at the end of their Saturday morning shift around 1 PM, return just for walking/feeding of boarders at 5 PM, and use one or more of the Sunday shifts to do all of the weekend cleaning. 

Sundays involve coming in at 8 AM, 12 PM, and 5 PM.  

The 8 AM, 1 PM, and 5 PM benchmarks are when just when boarders must be walked, but other weekend duties can be completed according to employee's preference.

• Patience, compassion, willing and eager to learn and to assist team members with any task.
• Open to constructive criticism from team with the understanding that the team's goal is to help the kennel staff grow in their skills and knowledge.
• Hardworking, honesty and trustworthiness, taking pride in their work and ensuring all tasks are carried out satisfactorily for patients, team members, and clients.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Oversees care of boarding pets and assists with hospitalized patients as instructed. 
• Adheres to boarding intake/discharge protocols and follows client instructions for boarding pet care. 
• Reports any concerns with boarders to appropriate staff in a timely manner. 
• Based on confidence and experience, learns to assist team members with patient restraint. 
• Maintains laundry throughout the day. 
• Maintains cleanliness and sanitation of all hospital areas, inside and out, according to a schedule of kennel duties and when needed throughout their shift. 
• Ensures boarders are tended to, all scheduled duties are complete, and all areas are cleaned prior to leaving at the end of their shift.

Requirements/Qualifications:

• Ability to work on weekends and holidays is required
• Previous veterinary experience preferred
• Ability to lift patients up to 25 pounds; ability to lift patients over 25 pounds with assistance
• Practices OSHA safety techniques including proper PPE

Benefits Offered:

• Retirement benefits or accounts
• Bonus incentive
• Flexible work schedules
• Career and professional development
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Referral Program
•  Annual scrub stipend, bi-annual employee pet stipend.

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

Pay Range: