Kennel Team Lead - Thomasville Animal Hospital

POSITION SUMMARY

The Kennel Team Lead trains, plans and coordinates a variety of service functions that are related to leading Kennel Technicians/Assistants. These functions include, but are not limited to, providing the care and basic needs of animals being boarded or that are patients of Thomasville Animal Hospital, including cleaning of cages and runs and ward areas and the proper feeding and care of all hospitalized animals. This position also encompasses all the duties of the Kennel Assistant.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Train, supervise, and assist the kennel assistants in their performance of a variety of service functions that facilitate the work of the technicians, receptionists, veterinarians and practice manager who directly or indirectly provide patient care.
• Provide strong leadership and supervision to kennel assistants.
• Create employee schedules for the kennel department that align with the needs of the hospital.
• Make recommendations to the practice manager concerning personnel matters, disciplinary actions and follow through.
• Ordering/delivering/shopping for basic cleaning supplies for the entire hospital.
• Observe and report any repairs and maintenance to the office manager. Meet regularly with the owner-doctor and office manager to discuss any problems or improvements.
• Provide and enforce a maintenance schedule of building equipment.

KENNEL ASSISTANT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Observe animal appearance and activity for general physical condition, obvious signs of illness, disease and discontent.
• Properly handle patients as required and appropriately restrain patients as directed.
• Walk hospitalized and boarded dogs several times a day according to hospital protocol to provide exercise and time for elimination of bowels and bladder.
• Bathe and provide a high standard of care and comfortable environment to boarded and hospitalized patients.
• Provide care for pet housed/visiting the hospital. Report signs of illness, disease, injury or unusual activity to animal health technicians/veterinarians.
• Discharge and admit patients at the request of receptionists, practitioners and animal health technicians. Assure patients being discharged have been checked by animal health technician and/or practitioner. Ensure that patients are clean and fresh smelling prior to discharge.
• Under the supervision of veterinarians or technicians assist with the administration of medications, post operative care or preparation of samples for laboratory examination, collect specimens, clean instruments, fill prescriptions as authorized.
• Ensure that cages and patients are properly numbered and identified and that personal property (toys, treats, blankets, leashes) are stored in the proper area and identified.
• Clean, disinfect and maintain kennels, cages, runs and stalls as often as is necessary to ensure no cages or kennels are soiled and odors are not apparent. Perform general cleaning in other areas of the hospital to control the spread of disease. Wash and sterilize water and food bowls.
• Launder and dry towels and blankets.
• Patrol hospital grounds daily, picking up any trash and stool material. Empty trash.
• Record information such as feeding schedules, appearance, behavior of patients that are boarded or hospitalized.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• Frequent moderate lifting (-40-50 pounds); Walk and handle animals weighing up to 150 pounds.
• Weekend work is rotational
• Strong character and work ethic that embodies leading by example
• Strong communication and client service skills. Ability to work with clients, patients, and other employees in a professional, friendly, hospitable manner.
• Ability to handle and to restrain animals using appropriate procedures.