Job Title: Temporary Hospital Support Associate

Reports to: Hospital Supervisor

Objective: This position is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the hospital and supporting the veterinary and shelter staff with basic cat medical care, record keeping, and assisting volunteers and customers as needed. 

Position Type and Hours: Non-exempt, hourly, part-time, temporary. This position will run through December 31, 2024.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Medical Support (25% of time)

• Provide basic and preventative medical care to cats by administering vaccines, medications, and treatments according to established protocol.
• Monitor cats as they recover from sedation by observing, taking their vitals, and recording the data on their paper and electronic medical records.
• Move and restrain cats safely during exams and treatments by using hospital protocols and the guidance of the hospital team manuals.
• Serve as a hospital representative to clients by providing detailed treatment instructions and answering questions as needed.

Cat Care (25% of time) 

• Feed hospital cats by providing them with the proper type and amount of food based on their dietary needs. 
• Monitor hospital cats’ health and well-being by recording their food consumption, diet, urination, bowel movements, and behavior according to protocol. 
• Maintain proper stock of food in isolation areas by ensuring each area has a well-rounded selection of food options at all times.
• Properly label and store opened food options.
• Minimize disease transmission by following organizational protocol.
• Provide enrichment by following predetermined enrichment activities with the cats. 

Hospital Operations Assistance (20% of time) 

• Update cat’s and client’s medical, appointment, and financial records by entering information into the appropriate software system.
• Remain informed regarding changes to policy and protocol.
• Train new staff and volunteers by demonstrating and delegating tasks related to cat care, sanitation, and overall hospital function; providing corrective feedback in a positive manner when necessary. 
• Assist with administrative tasks by providing support to the hospital supervisor when needed.

Cleaning and Sanitation 20% of time) 

• Clean cat housing by scrubbing, wiping down and sanitizing all surfaces according to shelter sanitation protocols.
• Set up clean kennels by adding clean bedding, dishes, and enrichment items according to established housing guidelines.
• Ensure personal and cat safety by wearing the proper personal protective equipment when protocol dictates.
• Maintain a stock of supplies and laundry by cleaning, sanitizing, and drying reusable items and returning clean items to designated storage areas.
• Maintain facility cleanliness by cleaning, sanitizing, sweeping, mopping, and/or tidying hospital areas.
• Sanitize laundry and dishes according to organization sanitation protocols.

Supply Replenishment (10% of time) 

• Stock feeding, medical, janitorial, and office supplies according to hospital protocol; alerting the hospital supervisor when items are critically low.
• Receive, unpack, and store shipments of hospital supplies.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Knowledge 

• Basic cat care 
• Computer software systems

Skills

• Prioritize tasks to meet deadlines 
• Remain organized 
• Complete tasks with little direction or supervision
• Handle animals safely 
• Follow protocols and procedures 
• Provide compassionate care
• Proficient in delivering professional client communication with clarity 
• Operate standard office equipment, including computers and telephone systems  

Abilities 

• Work cooperatively within a team environment
• Proactively contribute new ideas and insights to enhance cat care 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Necessary

• High school diploma or equivalent 

Preferred 

• 1 year of applicable professional experience 
• Previous experience working within a volunteer organization or animal shelter

Mental Effort: This position involves the execution of tasks marked by routine and repetition, following established protocols. The job holder may need to prioritize or delegate tasks to complete the position’s essential functions. 

Physical Requirements and Work Environment: 

Physical Requirements

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Move and/or transport items up to 50 pounds (assisted or unassisted)
• Position oneself at various levels to successfully perform the essential functions of the job
• Provide direct animal care including feeding, watering, cleaning litter boxes, and other animal handling
• Provide direct medical care to animals including administering vaccinations, medications, subcutaneous fluids and performing other treatments as needed 
• Clean animal housing and facility 
• Disinfect and sanitize using agents such as bleach and Rescue®
• Communicate effectively with other staff and volunteers by instant message, email, phone, or in-person
• Navigate through the building, including the shelter and hospital areas
• Read and keep accurate records/files
• Work on a computer and use various software programs
• Operate office equipment such as a copy and fax machine, printer, scanner, and multi-line telephone 

Work Environment

Work in this position is performed at an animal shelter hospital. The work environment will have hazards or obstacles, and there is a higher risk of personal injury while performing assigned tasks if safety protocols are not followed. Job conditions are uncomfortable relative to noise, temperature, smell, cleanliness, or exposure to contagious disease. The worker may encounter the following: 

• Distressed animals that put the worker at risk for injuries such as bites and scratches
• Animal urine, animal feces, animal vomit, animal blood, animal fur
• Medications used to treat animals
• Needles used to vaccinate or provide other treatments to animals 
• Zoonotic disease that can be transmitted from cats to humans
• Disinfecting agents such as bleach and Rescue®
• Animal handling equipment such as nets, leather gloves, etc.

Pay Range: The position starts at $19.00 per hour

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor.  This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.

 To Apply: Click the Apply button below. Please upload your resume to the application portal--a resume is required for consideration.

PLEASE NOTE: There are required screener questions for this position that will replace a Cover Letter requirement.