Veterinary Assistant
Auburn University
Auburn University, Alabama
The mission of the Auburn University Oncology Service is to help animals with cancer achieve longer, happier lives. Working closely with the College of Veterinary Medicine’s other specialty departments, the members of our medical, surgical, and radiation oncology team can provide well-rounded care and specialty testing for the diagnosis of cancer. Treatment options include surgery, injectable and oral chemotherapy, immunotherapy, electrochemotherapy, and radiation therapy – including intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) via a state-of-the-art Varian EdgeTM linear accelerator. Additionally, our clinical trials may offer innovative diagnostics or treatment options for certain cancer types.
The assistant selected for this position will aid in the care and assist with diagnostics, procedures, and treatments of veterinary patients primarily within the Oncology Service of the Bailey Small Animal Teaching Hospital. The individual will provide technical assistance and support to senior veterinary students, post-doctoral interns and residents, as well as faculty members, with a team-focus on patient care. The successful candidate personifies our hospital’s goal to treat every client with the utmost courteous and attentive treatment, with great awareness of the emotional bond between owners and pets.
The hours for this position will be scheduled Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00am to 5:30pm, with some flexibility required.
Responsibilities:- Providing exceptional care to patients and compassion to clients of the Bailey Small Animal Teaching Hospital
- Ability to work efficiently and effectively individually as well as with team-members in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment
- Communicating with clients to obtain thorough patient histories; providing accurate and relevant information about patients to attending clinicians and veterinary students; recording important information into patient’s electronic medical record
- Proficiency in small animal restraint techniques to promote the safety of patients and personnel; obtaining laboratory samples via phlebotomy, fine needle aspiration, or other methods; implementation, monitoring, and recovery of patients prescribed sedation/anesthetic plans
- Teaching, coaching, and assisting senior veterinary students with specialized technical tasks
- Clipping and cleaning for various surgical procedures and biopsies; preparing for and maintaining sterile fields for procedures
- Administering intravenous, subcutaneous, and oral chemotherapy to patients via prescribed protocols; demonstrating meticulous intravenous catheter placement skills; prioritizing safe handling of hazardous drugs
- Operating and maintaining equipment; inventorying, ordering, and stocking supplies; cleaning and disinfecting clinic area according to hospital protocols and standards; appropriate handling of medical/biological/infectious/hazardous waste
Desired Qualifications:
Experience in the care and comfort of animals, as well as detailed knowledge with the oncologic patient. Ability to obtain needed information to select and adapt methods and procedures. Skill in using specialized techniques and equipment to resolve operational problems not full covered by precedents.
Please Note:
- This position involves direct contact with animals susceptible to rabies.
- Employees in this role must complete a rabies pre-exposure vaccination series and maintain adequate rabies antibody titer (0.5 IU/mL) as recommended by CDC guidelines.
Auburn University will cover the cost of the rabies vaccination series, periodic titer checks, and any necessary boosters.
Qualifications:Level II:
High school diploma or equivalent plus 2 years of experience working in a veterinary hospital environment.
Level III:
High school diploma or equivalent plus 4 years of experience working in a veterinary hospital environment.
Substitutions allowed for Experience:
When a candidate has the required education, but lacks the required experience, they may normally apply additional appropriate education toward the experience requirement, at a rate of one (1) year relevant education per year of required experience.
Detailed knowledge of established processes, methods, and techniques, as well as uses a variety of standard reference guides, and precedents to obtain needed information and to select and adapt methods and procedures.
Why Work at Auburn:- Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
- Culture of Excellence:We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
- We’re Here for You:Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
- Sweet Home Alabama:The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
- A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.
- Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!
About the Company
Auburn University
The main campus had an enrollment during fall of 2007 of 24,137. Auburn University offers degrees in 13 schools and colleges at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels.
Auburn University is known not only for its academic excellence, but for its impact on Alabama as well. A recent study determined AU had nearly $ 4 billion economic impact on the state of Alabama, including a $ 1.5 billion impact on the economy and a $ 2.4 billion impact in "human capital." AU's Technical Assistance Center, a collaborative Engineering / Business outreach unit, performs hundreds of projects annually for state industry, generating millions of dollars in increased efficiencies and saving or creating hundreds of jobs statewide.
Auburn University has developed into one of the largest universities in the South, remaining in the educational forefront with its traditional blend of arts and applied science, and changing with the needs of today while living with a respect for the traditions and spirit that are Auburn.