Download JOB DESCRIPTION: ANIMAL CARE NURSE Position Overview

Animal Care Nurse Job Description
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JOB DESCRIPTION: ANIMAL CARE NURSE
Position Overview
Nursing team members are responsible for proper care of all hospitalized and boarding animals,
including feeding, watering, bathing and record keeping and the cleanliness of cages, runs and ward
areas. The pets in our care are to be treated as if they were our own; meeting their needs is the
number one responsibility of this position.
The Nursing team is responsible for the cleanliness of the entire hospital and grounds and proper
handling of all inventory, including receiving of supplies and dispensing of medications and food.
The Nursing team is also responsible for assisting all other hospital team members in their tasks.
Position Requirements
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Minimum age requirement is 18 years old.
High school diploma, some college level training/ degree preferred.
Animal care background desirable but not required.
Customer service background desirable but not required.
Ability to: work with computers; learn new software and basic MS Office skills; and navigate the
Internet.
Physical ability to: Lift and carry animals and food bags up to 50 lbs. (will be assisted by other
team members in lifting over 50 lbs); walk or stand for extended periods or time; frequently work
in a bent or kneeling position.
Working conditions: May be exposed to unpleasant odors, loud noises/barking and animal feces.
May be exposed to bites, scratches and contagious diseases.
Personal Requirements
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Ability to work on a team and take oral, written and inferred instructions.
Ability to communicate effectively with team members and clients.
Ability to accept constructive feedback and use it to improve job performance.
Demonstrate good sense of humor and positive attitude.
Genuinely enjoy working with animals and able to deal with situations where they are stressed, ill,
in pain or dying.
Scheduling and Availability Requirements
To be considered for an animal care nurse position must be able to:
• Ability to work a variety of day, night and weekend shifts
o An average of one out of two Saturday shifts
o An average of one out of four Sunday shifts
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• Ability to work holidays
o Holiday shifts are divided by the nursing team on a rotating basis.
Responsibilities
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Conduct oneself in a professional manner even when stressed and/or focused on individual tasks.
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Animal Care Nurse Job Description
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Understand importance of prioritizing tasks; be able to stay busy and productive during work
shifts.
Understand and carry out oral and written directions even in the absence of detailed instructions.
Provide compassionate care to patients and their owners.
Maintain positive, cooperative relationships with other team members.
Receive animals to be admitted and be responsible for: identification of their cage and
belongings; weight and flea checks; ensuring food/water needs are met.
Release animals to their owners as directed; ensure that every animal released is clean and
properly groomed and that each patient’s belongings are returned.
Communicate with owners and make them feel comfortable with leaving their pets in our care and
with their pets’ discharge instructions, even in the absence of detailed directions.
Feed and medicate each patient as directed and correctly document.
Give baths and brush out patients.
Collect urine and fecal specimens.
Recognize and report any unusual animal condition or abnormal behavior.
Restrain patients in a manner that keeps them and their owners calm and ensures their safety
and the safety of team members.
Follow regular cleaning and sanitizing schedule for all cages, runs and food/water bowls.
Clean litter boxes and patient bedding when soiled or wet, and when cage vacated.
Remove feces promptly from runs and while walking patients outside.
Maintain laundry for the clinic.
Maintain the property including waste disposal, basic landscape upkeep and general building
maintenance.
Clean equipment and facilities using chemicals and supplies; understand the importance of safety
in use of chemicals in our clinic.
Maintain the cleanliness of the hospital each day, and complete shift-specific duties in a timely
manner.
Understand and carry out jobs on the weekly, monthly, yearly and downtime task lists to maintain
cleanliness, equipment and overall appearance of the hospital.
Assist reception staff in maintaining a spotless reception area.
Assist doctors, assistants and technicians with treatments, procedures, radiographs and clean up.
Keep up with lab work (including handling blood, urine and fecal samples).
Unpack, verify and put away orders.
Fill prescriptions and food orders without errors and be able to recognize mistakes when double
checking others.
Participate in Continuing Education and homework assignments.
Attend scheduled staff and NAT meetings.
Perform other duties as assigned.
ACNJDV511