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KENNEL HELP WAGE & DUTIES
Kennel Help Wage Information
Starting Wage = $12.00 per hour
(How To Get A Raise/ Basic Tasks)
Basics
Come in on time, without absences, except as predetermined.
Come in clean and in appropriate attire.
Come in ready to work and to learn.
Learn the basic procedures for your job description.
Do not be afraid to ask questions.
Clock in and out properly.
Check appointment scheduler to see what is occurring that day.
Check with the assistant and/or technician to help them.
Prioritize your assigned tasks and time.
Learn how to perform them in a logical manner.
Learn how to perform them correctly and efficiently.
It is better to take a little longer and be thorough.
Be careful with equipment; use it as if it will not be replaceable (or like you would need to pay to replace it).
General Order of Tasks
Walk and/or clean up animals. (Ask for help from assistant as/if needed)
Find out what animals are in here for so you know what they will need and what to expect.
Walk/clean up animals that are to be released first.
Be sure back door is closed before opening cage door to take animal out of cage, or even to put animal in a cage (they can get away from you before you can close and lock the cage door).
Be sure back door is locked if a pet is to be temporarily loose in the back room.
Remember, we can be sued if an animal is lost or injured.
Dogs to be walked outside must be on one of our ‘slip leads’. Do not attach a leash to a regular collar. Dogs can slip out of those collars. Smaller or weaker dogs may be walked on a ‘double’ lead. Larger, stronger dogs must be walked on a shorter lead. Larger and stronger dogs could pull the lead away if not kept on a short lead.
Pay attention to the animal. Do not get distracted. Ask for assistance if you are not comfortable with an animal.
Walk male dogs by the apple trees and the tall grass near edge of lawn to stimulate urination.
Take note if there is any difficulty urinating or defecating.
Take note if there are any abnormalities; inform assistant, tech or Dr. Bennett.
Dogs that are on IV fluids need special attention. Be sure to hold the IV line so that the pet will not be walking on it, as well as prevent the animal from tugging on the line. We will demonstrate this when needed.
Animals that have become wet or soiled need to be cleaned. Some can be rinsed in the tub and towel dried. Some can be sprayed with ‘Miracle Groom’, then brushed and/or toweled off. Any with odors can be sprayed with the grooming cologne, or ‘XO Spray’.
Check their faces and towel off if needed. Wipe goop from the eyes. Give a quick brushing if needed. Ask for help if needed.
Pick up dog doo
You can use the hand shovel kept by the house, around the corner of the fence by the garbage cans. Or there is a longer handled collector in the shed. Deposit the doo into a plastic bag.
Check all lawns, go slow, and be thorough.
Empty the Doggy Do container from front of clinic.
Secure the bag(s) so doo will not fall out.
Put final collection in one of the large trashcans.
Clean empty cages
You can wear exam gloves to do this or any other ‘dirty’ job. Doors should be rinsed in the tub. Otherwise clean the top, back, sides, bottom and area around the cage. Use the chlorhexidine spray. We want you to avoid breathing in the aerosolized spray, as it can be irritating to airways. When spraying this, use a heavier spray, avoid a fine mist. After spraying in the cage, take a minute or so before wiping it down. Repeat as needed.
Laundry must be kept up with
Follow the instructions posted on the dryer. Do not mix hot-water items with cold-water items.
Add bleach to hot-water items. Do not add bleach to cold-water items.
Remove any external cobwebs.
Try and do before it gets dark outside.
Remove any internal cobwebs.
Pay special attention to waiting/reception areas. Check the sky light areas.
Check/fill supplies
Syringes and needles
1 drawer on north side of treatment table
2 drawers on south side of treatment table
1 drawer facing lift scale
Prescription Vials
Fluids
Paper towels and tissues
Let Dr. Bennett know when running low on any particular item.
Dust/Straighten/Fill OTC items
Backstock may be under the pharmacy area, or upstairs, or other sites.
Line items up, facing forward, neat and orderly.
Let Dr. Bennett know when running low on any particular item.
Clean any used instruments
Spray with chlorhexidine, scrub if needed, and rinse with water.
Clean tops to liquids, etc near treatment area.
Remove tops, soak in warm water with soap, scrub, rinse and replace.
Fill the containers from the larger container kept under the lab sink.
Note – there is both chlorhexidine solution (an antiseptic), and a chlorhexidine scrub (an antiseptic soap), in general, most containers need the solution, not the scrub.
Dust bottles near treatment area.
Clean sinks/hair traps
Scrub sink
Treatment sink/hair trap
Lab sink
Tub/hair trap
Clean toilet
Check dog bed under reception desk, launder if needed
Clean any soiled walls/cabinets/windows.
Make a regular walkthrough looking for soiled sites – common sites:
– wall across from tub,
– wall to door upstairs,
– wall by autoclave,
– surgery doors
– walls/windows/cabinets in surgery
– walls outside of surgery
– walls/cabinets/bench/door in large exam room
– walls/area around scale and OTC items
– walls/bench/door/cabinet in waiting/reception area
– walls/bench/door/cabinet in small exam room
– walls/cabinets in pharmacy area
– walls/cabinets in lab area
– refrigerator and walls in that area
– treatment cabinets
– walls/fixtures in darkroom/bathroom
– X-ray table and wall
– Dental unit
– Anesthesia unit
– Gurney
– Bandage cart
– All benches should have inner rim vacuumed or swept at least once weekly
– Dust
Mow lawn as seasonally needed
Fill potholes as needed
After the last client, but no earlier than 5:20pm
Vacuum or dry mop floors.
Take trash out.
Mop the floors.
See specific instructions.
On Tuesday, take an inventory of the food upstairs. Be accurate.
The night before scheduled garbage pick-up, take all garbage cans and recyclables to appropriate spot by 39th street sign
The next day, bring in the trashcans from out by the road.
On Thursday, take the Hill’s food upstairs. Be sure to rotate food, so that the oldest food of each type and size is easiest to reach. Be sure dog food is on one side and cat food is on the other side. Be gentle with the food, so as to prevent kibble from crumbling. Notify us of any outdated foods.
Keep an eye out for the many needs of our clinic. Check the Daily, Weekly and Monthly Check off sheets to look for things that need to be done. The above task list is not an all inclusive list of responsibilities. Any (reasonable) task you are requested to do should be completed. Be on top of things. If you can improve on something or have an idea, let us hear it. Things are always changing. There will be better ways of doing things.
Remember to address Dr. Bennett, as Dr. Bennett. Do not disturb her if she is with a client unless extremely important. When in the presence of clients, you are our representative. Look sharp and interested (be sharp and interested). Stand up straight, make eye contact with the clients, smile and be pleasant. It is okay for you to be around when she is dealing with clients, but try to act as if you are there to assist her (you are). In general, at this time it is better to be seen and not heard. Listen to what she is telling the clients, and try to learn from the comments/instructions to the clients.
In between all of the above, keep an eye out if we need assistance. If you are available, and asking to help, we will teach you about restraint, and about what is happening with each case. I want you to be able to learn if you are interested. Remember the more you learn the more valuable you become, and the greater your pay will be.
Once you have demonstrated that you are a self-starter, self-motivated and can easily accomplish the above tasks, your wage will be increased and you may use the Assistant wage information as a guideline. This may take 2 weeks, a month, 2 months; the timeline is up to you. Keep in mind, if you are not earning the rate increases, you may be underperforming and subject to correction or release from employment. You will have a greater ability to learn and assist in more interesting tasks when we are comfortable that you are able. If you show enthusiasm and willingness, we will teach you many other things and your wages will increase accordingly. If you demonstrate consistent ability, we will utilize that. There will be tasks that will overlap the above responsibilities. Learn as many things on the following basic Assistant’s list to work for further raises:
Know basic policies
Know all kennel help responsibilities
Basic receptionist skills
Greeting clients
Answering phone calls
Identifying clients/potential clients vs. solicitors vs. other callers
Use of the Hold button
Taking messages properly for Dr. Bennett
Learning Cornerstone
Complete tutorial
Basic use of software
Entering new clients/patients
Entering notes
Making appointments
Understand what we offer, what is involved
Puppy Paks
Kitten Kits
Spays/Neuters
Dental Prophys/treatments
Annual exams
Brief exams/rechecks
Animal Restraint – basic, normal animal
If unsafe for animal, client, staff, stop and inform Dr. Bennett
How to weigh animals
How to lift animals
Hold for basic exam
Hold for otic exam
Hold for anal sac expression
Hold for blood draw
Hold for IV catheter
Assist for X-rays
Preparing vaccines
Know how
Know when
Cleaning surgery items
Run autoclave
Storing surgical supplies/packs
Collecting free catch urine samples
Setting up fecal samples – floats and centrifuge
Setting up urine samples
Setting up in house cultures
Prepare outside lab forms
Set up for taking X-rays
Warm up processor
Warm up X-ray machine
X-ray ID card
X-ray file folders prepared
Develop X-rays, File radiographs. Prepare X-rays for transfer
Make blood smear slides
Spin blood/handling lab samples
Hook up EKG
In Summary:
Keep kennels clean
Keep animals clean
Take out trash and recyclables
Feed & water animals
Keep all areas clean and organized
Restock, keep organized and rotate supplies, receive inventory
Pull expiring items to be removed from inventory
Laundry
Dishwashing
Assist Receptionist
Assist Technician and Assistants
Light grooming of animals
Giving baths and dips
Help with radiographs (if older than 18 years)
Give animals treats as appropriate and help keep them comfortable
Lawns care, including removing fecal matter and mowing
Filling potholes in driveway/roadway
Pulling weeds from areas near the hospital and the parking area
Keep parking/walking areas free of debris, snow, etc
Insure Daily, Weekly and Monthly Housekeeping Duties are performed as indicated.
Note:
This list is not all-inclusive. Use the information in "How To Get A Raise/Basic Tasks" for more detailed information and wage information. It is understood that many situations will require the ability to multitask, and to work together to accomplish our goals. While we are small, we will all be responsible for any of the hospitals needs. As the hospital and staff grow, a certain amount of flexibility is needed to make this the best place a person could work and the best place for animals to come in sickness and in health. Please provide alternative solutions to smooth out the practice rough spots.
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