The purpose of the position is to provide care and the basic needs of animals being housed or patients of Mercy Pet Clinic.

Animal Handling

• Restrain animals in a safe, efficient and compassionate manner when removing from and placing into the suite, condo, or run.   Use clinic equipment such as retractable leashes, choke collars & pinch collars appropriately and as directed.  Use restraint equipment such as thick gloves, thick towel, muzzle for cats and rabies pole or muzzle for dogs only if needed to ensure handling in a manner which is safe for the animal and yourself and only following proper training on each piece of equipment.
• Provide care for animals housed/visiting the clinic. Perform work according to established methods specified in the work manual or following special instructions. Follow protocols exactly, do not deviate or alter without express authorization from the Assistant Manager or Practice Manager.     
• Assist with moving animals throughout the facility.  Cage and remove animals as needed with proper handling technique.  Use a slip leash or pet carrier when transferring animals between areas of the building and on the grounds of the facility.  At the request of other staff, discharge and admit animals. 
• Exercise compassion and care in all interactions with patients.  Demonstrate patient advocacy for all animals within the facility even if not in your own department; if a pet in another part of the facility needs to be cleaned, cared for, or assisted, complete such care yourself if possible or notify the manager of that department or another staff member on duty that the care is needed so it can be completed.

Animal Husbandry

• Determine the type and amount of food animals receive based on the boarding release as signed by the client. Check in boarding pets and properly and accurately transfer information from the boarding release form to the boarding card including medications, treatments due in other departments, and special handling circumstances.   Read, complete forms, and re-read again to ensure accuracy and neatness in order to ensure information is properly and easily conveyed to other staff members during pet’s stay. 
• Observe animal appearance and activity for general physical condition, obvious signs of illness, disease and discontent and to advocate for those animals as needed               .
• Walk boarded dogs at appropriate intervals as designated by chosen boarding package to provide exercise and time for elimination of bowels and bladder.
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect the ward areas of the boarding facilities as often as is necessary (i.e. to ensure no cages or kennels are soiled and odors are not apparent.)
• Make sure cages and animals are properly identified and that personal property (toys, treats, blankets, leashes) are stored in the proper area and identified.

Admitting and Discharging Animals

• At request of customer service representatives, doctors and animal health technicians, discharge and admit animals from boarding facility.  Make sure animals are clean and fresh smelling prior to  discharge.
• As needed wear and operate earpiece radio for easy communication with front desk or hospital coordinator.  Always respond promptly to page and speak in a professional manner as you would if speaking directly to a client.  Ensure that earpiece is worn during business hours at all times.
• When admitting or discharging patients from boarding facility, compliment the pet.  Tell the client how much you appreciate the trust they’ve placed in us to care for their pet, and thank them for the opportunity to do so.

Facility Maintenance   

• Clean kennels, cages, & runs.  Wash and dry towels and blankets. Wash water and food bowls.
• Perform general cleaning in all boarding areas as well as entire facility grounds. Empty trash.
• Patrol facility grounds daily, picking up any trash and stool material.  Maintain a sense of                “ownership” in regards to facility and grounds and take initiative to do what needs to be done as  you see it in any area of the facility or grounds, not just your department. (picking up trash, cleaning up feces, sweeping, etc).   Have full participation in keeping the public areas of the practice clean and well maintained.              

Personal Conduct

• Adhere to all facility policies and standards regarding uniforms, grooming, smoking, personal calls, etc. as stated in the facility procedures manual.
• Serve as a representative of the facility, displaying courtesy, tact, consideration, and a positive attitude in all interactions with clients, patients and other members of the staff.

Punctuality and Attendance

• Adhere to the posted work schedule.  Arrive for work promptly and be ready to begin working at the start time.  Report to the lead technician in regards to absences, late arrivals, shift trades, and requested time off. 
• Utilize the time clock to clock in and out at the beginning and end of each day and during all breaks and lunch breaks.  Report to the practice manager if a time punch is missed or needs otherwise to be corrected within the time clock software.

Attitude/Teamwork

• Demonstrate initiative and teamwork in everyday duties by seeking other work to do during slack times, assisting other employees within the practice, and filling in for other employees as needed. 
• Demonstrate positive attitude and a “can do” approach to each day, be encouraging to other staff members, and work enthusiastically towards daily goals.
• Other than primary cat and dog care, duties as needed may include bathing, blow drying, brushing cats or dogs, cleaning or maintenance of food storage areas, common areas, and breakroom areas of the facility as directed.

Organization/Time Management

• Organize work area and exercise time management skills to maximize personal efficiency within the practice.  Prioritize tasks and handle multiple tasks in a calm, organized manner. 

CLIENT SERVICE DUTIES:

• Hospitality:  Genuinely welcomes clients and patients and provides for their comfort.  Heartily greets them as they arrive and when speaking with clients, uses their name and the pet’s name when it is proper to do so.
• Provides clients with tours of facility and information about services.  Educate client about all services offered here, not just boarding services, so as to further bond them to the practice
• Client Communication:  When directed, answers client questions appropriately in accordance with established facility guidelines.  Accurately answers sub-professional client questions regarding hospital services, fees, and preventative care.   Contact clients as needed during pets boarding stay to gain clarification on their care or to inform clients of concerns or suggestions for other services as needed.  Record all communications with clients in pet file.

CONTINUING EDUCATION:

• Attend and participate in scheduled staff meetings for continuing education both on basic operations of facility as well as generally veterinary industry knowledge.
• Participate in self-study “homework” assignments given out during meetings in preparation for quizzes over pertinent material.
• Demonstrate initiative to seek knowledge on a continual basis regarding daily duties, operations, and tasks regarding for general work but also to continually “as you go” expand knowledge base about veterinary industry in general.

CONTROLS OVER WORK

In accordance with the clinic operating instructions, determine care required in keeping with the individual needs and circumstances of animals; follow special instructions as issued. Doctors/ technicians provide specific instructions in giving medications, feeding specific diets or following special sanitary procedures if needed during patient stay.  Assistant Manager or Practice Manager will have authority over assigned duties, scheduled shifts, and general quality control of care of animals within the facility.  Staff member report directly to and are accountable to the Assistant Manager or Practice Manager.