Clinic Cleaner

Position Summary

Assist, and participate in providing humane husbandry services to a variety of animals within Animal Services; apply knowledge of humane animal care, husbandry and cleaning; work toward the goal of low stress animal care that facilitates control of contagious diseases through proper sanitation and disinfection, adherence to established policies and procedures regarding cleaning and housing of animals; perform sanitation of employee areas, hallways, kitchen areas, bathrooms, and other areas as assigned by supervisors or as needed to facilitate a healthy clinical environment.

This is a safety sensitive position subject to random drug/alcohol testing.

This is an unclassified at-will position. Job descriptions are intended to present a general list of tasks/duties performed by employees within this job classification. Job Description s are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

Essential And Supplemental Functions

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions may include, but are not limited to the functions listed below. Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Assist the veterinary staff in the cleaning, disinfection, and sanitation of all animal kennels to ensure no cages or kennels are visibly soiled and odors are not apparent. This includes areas of isolation which house sick or contagious animals and require the utilization of Personal Protective Equipment.
• Observe animal appearance and activity for general physical condition, obvious signs of illness, disease and discontent. Report signs of illness, disease, injury or unusual activity to veterinary technicians, assistants and veterinarians.
• Handle or restrain animals as required.
• Walk or provide enrichment as directed for hospitalized dogs and cats as needed.
• Provide care for animals housed/visiting the Hospital.
• Apply knowledge of normal food and water requirements of animals. As directed by veterinary staff, provide special foods and supplements.
• Under the direction of veterinarians or technicians assist with the administration of medications, post operative care or preparation of samples for laboratory examination, collect specimens, clean instruments.
• Ensure that cages and animals are properly identified with a cage card, blue card and that personal property (toys, treats, blankets, leashes) are stored in the proper area and identified.
• Wash and sterilize water and food bowls.
• Launder and dry towels and blankets.
• Empty trash and dispose of contents in appropriate dumpsters.
• Record on blue card/medication card animal information such as feeding schedules, appearance, behavior of animals that are hospitalized.
• Work well with all shelter employees and ensure that your actions support the hospital, the doctors, the clinic manager and the shelters mission.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Perform laboratory tests, such as hematology, parasitology and urinalysis, or prepare specimens for laboratory analysis.
• Provide veterinary hospital and laboratory sanitation, including sanitizing and maintaining the surgery, treatment and lab/necropsy areas, etc.
• Interact professionally with the public regarding shelter clinic animals, clinic protocols.
• Participate in the education and training of shelter clinic staff, volunteers in animal health and shelter related issues.

Supplemental Functions

• Ability to use cleaning materials and equipment with skill and efficiency.
• Ability to perform moderately heavy physical labor.
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks as well as to accept direction on given assignments.
• Understand and carry out oral and written direction.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum Education, Experience And Additional Requirements

Education directly related to the minimum requirements below may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

High school diploma or GED;
and One (1) year experience with animal handling work, experience in an animal services facility, animal clinic, animal hospital or in a private veterinary practice setting preferred.

Additional Requirements

Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License, or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

Possession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within six (6) months from date of hire.

Must be able to work weekends, nights and holidays

Working Conditions

Environmental Animal shelter environment; exposure to a variety of domestic and wild animals, animal body fluids, waste and infectious materials; outdoor and or inclement weather conditions; may be exposed to hostile or abusive members of the public; exposure to noise; may travel from site to site.

Physical Essential and supplemental functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for moderate to heavy lifting; bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling; sitting or standing for prolonged periods; walking; operating motorized equipment.