Animal Nursing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description of Position 

Competently assists Clinicians and other medical staff members with veterinary medical procedures which may include (but are not limited to) specialty care, emergency care, intensive care, radiography, administering treatments, animal nursing, animal restraint and handling, preventative care, clinical research, etc. within assigned service area as well as across functions as needed. 

Essential Functions 

• Assists DVM and CVT with patient treatments, drop off discharges, etc., assist with preparing patients for a variety of veterinary medical procedures. 
• Provide excellent service to DVMs and medical teams that support quality patient care.
• Facilitate open communication and teamwork among clinical care team members (DVMs students, veterinary technicians, etc.) in support of positive patient outcomes and excellent patient care. 
• Must be able to restrain and handle animals and/or assist with animal restraint and handling. 
• Hourly treatments on Wards and Isolation patients. 
• Assists in deep cleaning of wards and isolation. 
• Assists in ICU and ER as directed 
• Prepares for incoming patients. 
• Under the direction of a DVM or CVT, applies clinical job knowledge and competence to the management of the patient. 
• Delivers outstanding customer service including (for example) greeting and receiving patients and clients in a professional, caring and courteous manner, answering phone calls promptly, responding to clients, co-workers, and medical staff needs and requests, redirecting calls, etc. 
• Performs record-keeping tasks related to medical procedures, including recording of: procedures completed, supplies used, patient status, client communications, census information, etc. 
• Responsible for ensuring that all services and supplies are charged according to the hospital fee schedule. 
• Must have the ability to work in a clinical setting. 
• Must adhere to VMC safety and infection control policies and procedures. 
• Provides coverage for a minimum of 2 holidays per year. 
• Has a positive attitude, is timely and utilized down time efficiently. 
• Takes care of departmental needs and works as a team member. 

Other Functions

• Maintains a clean environment in the hospital area and ensures that these areas are adequately ordered, stocked and that equipment is in working order. 
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor, Clinician, or Director 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal skills (is courteous, respectful, trustworthy, keeps commitments. has a strong work ethic). 
• Must possess a teaching and service orientation as well as a positive attitude. 
• Uses resources wisely and is available and approachable to his/her team and others.
• Communicates (speaks/listens/responds) in a positive and timely manner to staff, coworkers and supervisor. 
• Looks for and supports quality improvement, supports the mission and values of the VMC and displays organizational citizenship behavior. 

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This will be determined on a case by case basis in conjunction with Disability Services. 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to:
  • stand, walk, sit, push, pull 
  • use hands to finger, hold, handle or feel animals or objects, tools or controls
  • reach with hands and arms
  • restrain animals with both hands and arms
  • climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl 
  • talk or hear; taste or smell 
  • the employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds without assistance
  • occasionally lift and/or move over 50 pounds with assistance
  • specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus

Work Environment 

• This work is generally performed at the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, and at the Veterinary Medical Center
• This work environment may include exposure to noise, bright/low lighting, temperature variations, animal bodily fluids and waste, and allergens such as mold, dust, hay and animal hair and dander

All required qualifications must be included in the application materials

Required Qualifications

• One year of post high school experience or education in veterinary assisting which includes: 
  • animal restraint