Medical Caregiver

Medical Caregiver at Dog Rescue
INTERESTED CANDIDATES: Please submit a resume and a one-page cover letter summarizing applicable experience for the Medical Caregiver position and why you are passionate about animal rescue.
Their Voice Rescue is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Delaplane, VA on a beautiful 50-acre sanctuary.
'Let"s Speak for Those Who Cannot Speak for Themselves.'
Our mission is to save as many dogs as we can from kill shelters nationwide and place them in loving forever homes. We network with other shelters and rescues to bring dogs at risk of euthanasia into our care. Additionally, we aim to bring awareness to and advance the efforts of ending dog meat festivals and other acts of animal slaughter and cruelty stateside and around the world.
The Medical Caregiver position is a very hands-on Vet Tech job that requires handling and working with dogs both in and out of their kennels and helping the team with the daily upkeep and cleanliness of the kennels and surrounding areas to maintain a clean and healthy living environment for our dogs.
The Medical Caregiver will work closely with our veterinarians, our Rescue Manager and Animal Caregivers to manage and oversee the health, physical and emotional well-being, and overall care of the dogs. Having a great attitude, super work ethic and respect for fellow team members, dogs, the rescue property, and Their Voice Rescue is paramount. Also, the willingness to lend a hand wherever necessary is really important to our positive work environment, team morale, and camaraderie.
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Medical Caregiver Shift Requirements
Please read carefully and thoroughly
Shifts are the standard 8 hours/5 days a week. Morning, late afternoon/early evening, night, weekends, and some holiday availability are required. Understanding and accepting that some overnight stays will be required in the event of an emergency. E.g. A dog needs around-the-clock care after returning from the vet due to its diagnosis or injury. Theyre stable but need medications and to be checked on every 5 hours. This overnight stay is necessary to monitor the dog and do whats medically required and falls under the responsibility of the Medical Caregiver. There is a nice, quaint apartment on-site that can be used on occasion for this reason. Flexibility on shifts is very important to be fair to all fellow team members.
Primary Medical Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Please read carefully and thoroughly
Perform Intake Evaluation upon arrival of new dogs to TVR. Enter all intake and medical record information into Shelterluv at intake
Manage and oversee all aspects of medical animal care and all dogs overall health and well-being, providing the utmost care and the ability to confidently, yet compassionately and patiently handle dogs who might have come from difficult backgrounds and have experienced trauma
Supervise all medical needs of all dogs, including oversight and entry of medical records into databases such as Shelterluv and writing pertinent information about such in shared spaces (on the whiteboard as needed), for fellow team members to be aware of medication schedules.
Keeping close track in an organized manner of when dogs are due for vaccines, checkups, monthly preventatives, and all veterinary visits.
Paying very close attention and getting to know every dogs personality well, so if theyre acting abnormal, you can pick up on it quickly and act accordingly. If you are not working, make sure the entire team knows what signs to look for as well
Overseeing and being conscious of not only the interior kennel environment but also the exterior property where dogs spend lots of time enjoying our yards to ensure the dogs living in the general population are only going out in their several designated yard options. Dogs in ISO have their own residence and one designated yard to help eliminate transmitting certain health risk factors, such as parasites and kennel cough
Scheduling veterinary appointments and communication with the veterinary staff
Administering medication, treatment, vaccines, and/or medical care on-site as needed and as appropriate
Ability and knowledge to perform tests on-site such as Snap 4Dx and fecal tests
Placing medical and animal care-related supply orders
Curate monthly animal care meetings, focusing on dog health and useful information (new or reminders/refreshers) for the Caregiver team.
Enter all medical data (including behavioral) for each dog into Shelterluv and keep it up-to-date and well organized.
Continue to enter and maintain all medical records in real-time, ensuring no information is missed or backlogged.
Advise and stay current on feed
Assist and supervise feeding schedules of all dogs with extra focus on those with medical needs, including but not limited to, special dietary needs, supplements, allergies, and/or sensitivities
Stay proactive with frequent assessments of each dog and make any necessary and well-thought-out medical, lifestyle, daily routine, or environmental changes that can benefit their particular needs (mental health and physical) and overall well-being
Providing care for dogs that might have significant medical issues, including various contagious diseases, some of which could be zoonotic
Providing medications to dogs as directed by the veterinarians and training other Caregivers to do so as appropriate
Assist in training new staff members in collaboration with the Rescue Manager and assist with new hire interviews as needed, such as helping conduct the on-site interview
General Medical Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Please read carefully and thoroughly
Cleaning the dogs kennels which includes exposure to dog excretion, urine, blood, and other bodily fluids; sometimes dogs in our care are not house-trained, so individual kennels might need to be cleaned repeatedly throughout your shift
Ensuring all dogs have clean, fresh water available to them at all times
Reporting behavioral and health observations to the Rescue Manager and collaborating with the dog care team to find solutions to issues that might arise
Walking, training, and socializing with the dogs frequently throughout the day in all types of weather
Adhering to any and all training plans implemented by the trainer TVR works with, along with guidance from the Rescue Manager and any experts consulting on behavioral or medical concerns for the dogs
Adhering to a philosophy of positive training methods at all times
Grooming the dogs, including but not limited to, bathing, brushing cleaning ears, expressing anal glands, trimming nails
Ensuring that all areas of the kennels and workstations are kept clean, sanitized and
Additional Medical Caregiver Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Please read carefully and thoroughly
Transporting dogs to and from the vet and taking them off-site for fun outings. At this time we do not have a designated rescue vehicle.
Assisting with off-site adoption events, including planning, coordinating, and ensuring adequate staff coverage at both the events and the sanctuary
Assisting with volunteer recruitment
Assisting with community outreach and networking
Assisting with fundraising events
It could go unsaid that applicants must love dogs; they must also know, and understand, the hard work that goes into taking care of up to 30 dogs at a time. Applicants must realize that the dogs in our care are not necessarily friendly with other dogs and might not have been adequately socialized with other dogs or humans prior to their arrival at Their Voice Rescue. As a result, they might bark a lot, pull on their leashes, and exhibit other undesirable behaviors. We are here to help the dogs in our care learn the skills and good manners they will need to be successful in their adoptive homes. However, please be aware, that this can be a very noisy and physically demanding work environment.
Qualifications and Educational Requirements:
Please read carefully and thoroughly
Licensed Veterinary Technician (certification is required)
Strong desire and passion to work with rescue dogs and within the rescue community
Very good at problem-solving
Ample experience working as a vet tech in a veterinary clinic
Experience working at or volunteering with a rescue organization or shelter in a hands-on dog care position
Proficient in ShelterLuv and other similar animal care software and databases
Valid Driver"s License and reliable transportation are required
Physical Requirements and Work Environment:
Please read carefully and thoroughly
Work is performed at Their Voice Rescues sanctuary, which includes kennel buildings where dogs live and are cared for, office spaces, a break room, stairs, and vast outdoor locations
Subject to dog bites and scratches while handling dogs of unpredictable temperament
Regular bending, reaching, kneeling, sitting on the floor, crouching, cleaning kennels, bowls, mopping, cleaning the yards
Dog walking for long lengths of time up and down some hills
Lifting up to approximately 50 pounds or more at times.
Rescue work is a very physical job that requires a certain level of fitness and overall physical health
Working outdoors in all weather conditions for hours, including high heat, humidity, rain, cold, wind, snow, sleet, etc.
Proficient working at a computer station and operating electronic equipment
Must be able to work a flexible schedule which will include early mornings, late afternoon/evenings, nights, weekends, some holidays, and the occasional overnight stay as needed medically.
Must be able to remain professional, kind, and mindful of others when tolerating the emotional aspect of working in an animal rescue environment
Understands the potential of exposure to animal excretion, blood, infection, and zoonotic diseases
What We Offer:
- Full-time Medical Caregiver: Starting salary is dependent upon experience level and qualifications: $35,000-$38,000 annually
Fourteen (14) days PTO annually
Three (3) sick days annually
$150 monthly stipend
Mileage reimbursement for rescue-related travel
Ability to make an impact in the communities we serve
Background checks are required before starting work at Their Voice Rescue.
COVID-19 precautions/protocol
Remote interview process until the on-site interview
Mask required when working in all interior locations on-site
Periodic temperature screenings
Sanitizing, disinfecting, and cleaning procedures are in place
All adopters and visitors must be approved before scheduling a visit
Employment Type: Full-Time