| Location | 15 Heritage Ave, Stellarton, NS |
| Number of Positions | 1 |
| Job Start Date | mid/late July |
| Job Competition Closes | When position is filled |
| Job Type | Full time |
| Salary | $17/hr – $19 depending on experience |
The Nova Scotia SPCA is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to join our brand new veterinary team working in a fast-paced veterinary hospital in our newly constructed facility. The North Nova SPCA’s hospital will provide full service to animals in the SPCA care and will provide some services to the public. This role is a hands on assisting role with a wide variety of tasks and responsibility such as surgical prep and recovery of patients, reception duties as well as medical and illness appointments working directly with clients in gathering history, assisting the DVM during the appointment and assisting with diagnostics and filling prescriptions as well as all other tasks of ensuring efficient operation of a busy veterinary practice. There are plenty of opportunities to develop and expand your skills while contributing positively to the SPCA organization.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate would have experience or knowledge in the following qualifications:
- Knowledge and experience in proper and safe patient restraint
- Advanced level customer service as this is a client-facing role.
- Knowledge and in depth understanding of medical terminology in a Veterinary setting.
- Patient and empathetic in all client interactions.
- Willingness to learn and adapt to new and changing protocols of our newly established veterinary practice.
The following duties are part of the role
- Assist in surgery pre and post patient care.
- Reception duties include: billing, and greeting clients face to face.
- Responsible for the care of hospitalized patients including keeping all wards and kennels properly cleaned and disinfected, exercising, feeding, laundry, and keeping patients clean.
- Prepare and sanitize surgery suites. Clean and maintain holding areas.
- Assures all nutritional, housing, grooming and medical needs are met on a daily basis according to approved processes. Responsible for maintaining a safe and sanitary facility for animals and people. Provides humane handling and care for all shelter animals.
- Grooming, health checks, flea treatments and administering parasite control.
- General clinic cleaning duties
- Clean exams rooms after each visit and preparing for the next client and patient. Ensure supplies are always available and adequately stocked in exam rooms and treatment room.
- Performs continual maintenance duties that include repairs and upkeep. Cleans all equipment and work areas to maintain the highest standard of cleanliness and sanitation. Follows health and safety regulations and protocols.
- Maintain accurate records for animal inventory, health, medications, treatments, procedures and behavior history
- Fills prescriptions for clients
The ideal candidate is able to thrive in a busy fast paced hospital environment and maintains professionalism in all client interactions representing the mandate and mission of the Nova Scotia SPCA while following the requirements of a Veterinary Hospital.
In addition to the duties listed above, the SPCA expects the following of each employee: adhere to policies and procedures; work in a safe manner; act as a role model within and outside the shelter; perform duties as workload necessitates; maintain a positive and respectful attitude; demonstrates exceptional customer service; communicates regularly with supervisor about issues; demonstrates efficient time management and prioritizes workload; consistently reports to work on time prepared to perform duties of the position; participates in events and on committees as needed or required; and Completes other duties as assigned.
Required Skills
The following are some of the skills required for this role:
- Time Management: work with multiple staff, managers and volunteers across the province. Ability to work under tight deadlines and pressure situations is essential.
- Decision-Making Skills: Whether it is dealing with staff, management, government agents, veterinarians or suppliers, this person will have to make decisions that affect the Society. Having the ability to make hard decisions under pressure is crucial to success.
- Speaking and Writing: strong written and oral communication skills.
- Animal welfare knowledge, Dog handling experience, volunteer relations, and computer skills are an asset.
- Ability to identify signs of animal illnesses, diseases and injuries.
- Ability to identify different medications and methods of administration.
- Ability to perform sanitation procedures and general maintenance.
- Ability to perform the SPCA’s basic medical intake process and other duties as outlined in SPCA Manuals
- Employee must demonstrate ability to work effectively with others (including co-workers, customers, volunteers and others) by sharing ideas in a constructive and positive manner; listening to and objectively considering ideas and suggestions from others; keeping commitments; keeping others informed of work progress, timetables and issues; and addressing problems and issues constructively to find mutually acceptable and practical business solutions.
- Employees must demonstrate regular and consistent attendance and punctuality
- The ability to follow protocols, and be comfortable working with pediatric patients.
- Reception experience is an asset, knowledge and experience booking patients and taking payments, checking clients into the hospital, gathering medical history data for the Veterinarian.
Qualifications
Education; A Veterinary Assistant program with several years work experience or equivalent work experience would be an asset, however all interested applicants are invited to apply
Physical Requirements
- Requires frequent bending, reaching, repetitive hand movements, standing, walking, squatting and sitting, with some heavy lifting, pushing and pulling exerted regularly throughout a regular work shift.
Hours of Work
Work week can be flexible to work within the applicant’s schedule but will be set consistent times each week, some flexibility may be required.
Nova Scotia SPCA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants, regardless of gender, race, age, sexuality, or disability. SPCA provides a competitive salary and a rewarding work environment. Preference will be given to candidates who self-identify as African Nova Scotians, racially visible persons, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal persons and persons of the LGBTQ+ community. We encourage applicants to self-identify. Interested applicants are asked to submit their resume and cover letter by email to resumes@spcans.ca
Please quote ‘Veterinary Assistant – North Nova”; in the subject heading in your email reply.
We thank all applicants for their interest in a career at the Nova Scotia SPCA, however, only those selected for interview will be contacted.
As a part of our hiring process, we require applicants to complete behavioural and cognitive assessments. You will be sent the links along with screening questions after submitting your resume.
