Kennel Attendant

**Overnight Kennel Assistant, **Job Description

**REPORTS TO**: Manager, Erica Martinez

Manager, Cassidy Hawthorne, RVT

Manager, Gina Murphy

**POSITION OVERVIEW**

Kennel staff members are responsible for proper husbandry care of all hospitalized and boarded animals, including feeding, bathing, walking, record keeping and the cleanliness of cages, runs and ward areas. In addition, the kennel staff also is responsible for the cleanliness of the hospital. Also needs to be able to take direction of technicians or doctors to carry out treatments, you will need to be able to take a TPR of patients as well as give injections in various routes. Since the hospital will be closed during your shifts, you will need to monitor hospitalized patients, take care of boarding patients which includes walking, feeding, medicating. Also need to make sure to be self-motivating to keep busy, be able to make decisions during emergency situations, and clean the hospital according to the checklists. Multitasking is a must in this job as well as client communication. You do converse with owners regarding boarding patients and their activities during their stay as well as keeping their belongings organized and kept together. This job is a lot of husbandry and animal interactions, you need to be comfortable with handling small animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, and guinea pigs.

**AGE REQUIREMENT**
- Minimum age requirement is 18 years old

**EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS**
- High school degree

**EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS**
- Animal care background is preferred, but not required

**PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS**

**- You must be able to obtain a Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substances Permit (VACSP)**
- Must uphold our core values of: Integrity, Compassion, Self-Improvement, Reliability, Positivity & Team Spirit
- Must enjoy working with animals and be able to deal with them even when they are stressed, ill or in pain.
- Can work unaffected in an environment where dogs are barking.
- Must be available to work weekends, evenings and holidays to be considered this position.
- Must work well with others and avoid gossiping.
- Must take constructive criticism well.
- Must be able to converse well with clients and be able to handle complaints without getting upset or frustrated.
- Must work well under pressure, this is a fast-paced, high volume job and requires the ability to multitask to be as efficient as possible.
- Will be required to work alone on an overnight, and must have the ability to stay awake for duration of shift

**PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS**
- Must be able to lift and carry animals and food bags 40lbs or less (will be assisted by other staff members in lifting animals over 40 pounds).
- Must be able to walk and/or stand for whole shift, 8 to10 hours.
- Must be able to frequently work in a bent position, while restraining patients for as long as 10 minutes or sometimes more.
- Must be able to reach above your head and perform sweeping and mopping for every shift.
- Must be able to walk and restrain dogs of all sizes, small breeds (Poodle/Chihuahua) to large breeds (Mastiffs/Great Danes).
- Must be able to handle and restrain feline patients, with proper training.

**WORK CONDITIONS**
- May be exposed to unpleasant odors, noises and animal feces
- May be exposed to bites, scratches and contagious diseases
- May be exposed to radiation from hospital equipment
- Must be able to work unaffected in an environment where dogs are barking
- Will work alone overnight during closed business hours, will not be able to leave the building
- Continuously stay on task during assigned shift, completing daily task list by the end of a shift
- Communicate well with other kennel attendants, technicians, and doctors. Give full reports on the well-being of a patient
- Ability to give IV,SQ, Oral and IM injections and medications
- Ability to use an IV Pump, syringe pump, administer fluids
- Ability to arrive and show up for an assigned shift and perform the essential duties for your position

**PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS**
- Provides compassionate care to patients.
- Can conduct oneself in a confident and professional manner even when stressed and/or focused on individual tasks.
- Receives animals to be admitted, is responsible for their proper identification and for recording their respective locations.
- Ensures that every animal released is clean and properly groomed prior to their release regardless of which shift pet is released during.
- Has the ability to communicate with owners and make them feel comfortable with leaving their pet(s) in our care.
- Can follow a regular schedule for cleaning and sanitizing all cages, runs, wards and related areas; changes litter boxes and food/water bowls.
- Can feed each animal as prescribed by the attending doctor or technician or as the owner has requested and records appetites.
- Understands the importance of prioritizing tasks and keeps oneself busy and productive during work shifts.
- Work overnight