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Animal Health Assistant (Developmental) NF 01/02/03

U.S. Army Medical Command

Groton Submarine Base, CTJob$16.94–22.3/hrPosted 2w ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$16.94–22.3/hr
Location
Groton Submarine Base, CT
Work Authorization
Not specified

Job overview

The Animal Health Assistant (Developmental) position at the New London Veterinary Treatment Facility supports veterinarians with surgical preparation, medication administration, client counseling, and preventive care. Candidates assist during procedures, manage anesthesia equipment, and provide wellness guidance while adhering to AVMA standards.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Surgical AssistanceAnesthetic Machine MonitoringVaccination AdministrationMedication DispensingAnimal Restraint TechniquesMedical TerminologySterile TechniquesRadiological TechniquesLaboratory Equipment OperationRecord Keeping (ccSOAP)Client CommunicationSupply Management

Qualifications

Proficiency in Oral and Written Communication Skills in EnglishExperience Dealing With the General PublicWork Experience Demonstrating Ability to Perform DutiesKnowledge of Approved Restraint Techniques of AnimalsKnowledge of Proper Vaccines and Syringe HandlingMinimum Six Months Demonstrated Experience in Veterinary Medical SettingProficiency in Basic Medical TerminologyUtilizes Correct Sterile TechniquesApplies Appropriate Restraint Techniques for Routine ProceduresProficiency in Recording Medical History in ccSOAPExplains Product Information and Treatment Plans to ClientsDetermines Preventive Wellness Plans Based on Patient History

Benefits

Medical Insurance
401(k) Match
Paid Time Off

Full job description

Summary

This position is located at the New London Veterinary Treatment Facility. Incentives and Bonuses Incentives will not be paid.

Duties

  • May assist veterinarian to prepare for and during surgical procedures, to include preparing surgery packs, scalpel blades, and suture material, monitoring a patient using an anesthetic machine.
  • May serve as scrubbed surgical assistant. Continuously informs medical staff of the changes in general condition of patient during surgical procedures.
  • Prepares and administers vaccinations, oral and topical medications to patient as prescribed by the veterinarian. Prepares and dispenses prescription medication according to veterinarian instructions.
  • Applies knowledge of common topics to assist clients in solving common husbandry problems.
  • Applies knowledge of preventive care, disease prevention, lifestyle risks, and veterinary care to provide individualized wellness counseling to clients.

Qualifications

Resumes must be two pages (or less). Resumes should clearly demonstrate the applicant's relevant experience, skills, knowledge and abilities as they pertain to this position. A qualified candidate must possess the following: Animal Health Aid (Developmental), NF-01: - Proficiency in oral and written communication skills in the English language. Experience dealing with the general public (which can include babysitting, newspaper delivery, Girl/Boy scouts etc.). Animal Health Assistant (Developmental), NF-02: - Work experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the above duties which could have been gained at a pet store, farm work, animal shelter etc. Basic requirements include knowledge of approved restraint techniques of animals in accordance with the guidelines of the AVMA - American Veterinary Medical Association or equivalent (e.g. VMSB - Veterinary Medical Standardization Board etc.); and knowledge of proper vaccines and syringe handling. Animal Health Assistant (Full Performance), NF-03: - A minimum of six (6) months demonstrated experience directly related to the duties required in the position that must have been gained through practical application in a Veterinary Medical setting and which demonstrates the knowledge, clinical skills, and abilities essential to perform successfully in accordance with the guidelines of the AVMA - American Veterinary Medical Association or equivalent (e.g. VMSB - Veterinary Medical Standardization Board etc.). Demonstrated experience include: proficiency in basic medical terminology; utilizes correct sterile techniques; apply appropriate restraint techniques to perform a variety of routine medical and diagnostic procedures (to include proper radiological techniques); proficiency in recording medical history and treatment in ccSOAP (Chief Complaint Subjective Objective Assessment Plan); explains product information and/or treatment plan to clients as directed by the Veterinarian; determine preventive wellness plan to include required medical treatments and vaccinations requirements based on patient medical history; utilize in-house laboratory equipment to perform diagnostics tests; conduct routine maintenance on in-house laboratory equipment; completes lab request form for reference laboratories; prepares samples for shipment to outside laboratories. In addition to the above qualifications, candidates who possess the following qualifications will be considered "Highly Preferred" or "Best Qualified": NF-02 - Candidates that possess demonstrated experience including proficiency in basic medical terminology; application of appropriate restraint techniques to perform a variety of routine medical and diagnostic procedures (to include proper radiological techniques); proficiency in recording medical history and treatment in ccSOAP (Chief Complaint Subjective Objective Assessment Plan); explains product information and/or treatment plan to clients as directed by the Veterinarian. NF-03 - Possess or have the ability to reactivate/obtain a registration, license, or certification as a veterinary assistant or higher through an accredited program (e.g. as identified on the www.NAVTA.net website Possess basic supply management experience which includes: ordering supplies, maintaining sufficient stock levels, completing monthly inventory counts and documenting expiration dates of in stock medications and vaccines. The information provided on your resume should be clear and specific. You will be rated based solely off of the information provided within your resume. Assumptions will not be made regarding your experience and the duties performed.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Your Application Matters: How We Will Review It We want to help you put your best foot forward! Please take time to carefully follow all application instructions - missing information or skipped steps could impact your eligibility. Your application will be thoughtfully reviewed to see how well your experience and qualifications align with the requirements listed in this announcement. This includes your resume, supporting documents, and responses to the assessment questionnaire. We will consider your responses to our application questionnaire. If you're tentatively qualified, we'll take a closer look to ensure your questionnaire responses match the experience reflected in your resume and documentation. Note: If it's later found that qualifications or experience were overstated, it may affect your consideration for the position - so honesty and clarity are key. Understanding Eligibilities: What You Can Claim When Applying When you apply for a federal position through USAJOBS or USA Staffing, you may be eligible for selection preference or priority consideration based on your background or status. These eligibilities can improve your chances of being considered or referred for a position. Depending on your situation, you may be able to claim one or more of the following eligibilities: NAF Preference 1 Spouse Employment Preference (SEP) NAF Preference 2 Involuntarily Separated From the Military (ISMP) NAF Priority Consideration 1 Business Based Action (BBA) NAF Priority Consideration 2 Former NAF Employee (FNE)/Current NAF (CNE)/Current APF Employee (CAE) NAF Priority Consideration 3 Outside Applicant Veteran (OAV) (Includes spouses and parents) Termination of Spouse Employment Preference Refusal of a military spouse to participate in established recruitment procedures for a Regular Full-Time (RFT) or Regular Part-Time (RPT) position (for example, interview, and so forth) is considered a declination of employment and is a basis for termination of Spouse Employment Preference (SEP) entitlement for the current Permanent Change of Station (PCS) of the sponsor. Tip: Be sure to review each eligibility question carefully and provide the required documentation. Claiming an eligibility without proper support may affect your application status. Looking for more details? Refer to the Who Gets Initial Consideration (Selection Preferences) and the What Other Considerations are Available sections of our Applicant Information Kit. NOTE: Candidates meeting the full performance level (NF-03) will be referred to the selecting official first. If the selecting official does not make a selection at the full performance level qualified candidates meeting the NF-02 and/or NF-01 criteria will be referred. Benefits

Working for Army Non-Appropriated Funds (NAF) can offer numerous advantages. Army NAF employment can provide a sense of pride and fulfillment, as you'll be supporting communities comprised of military and civilian personnel, and their families, which contributes to the Department of Defense's overall mission. We offer a wide range of career opportunities, including jobs in childcare, recreation, hospitality, and more. Many employees have opportunities for professional development, including training, education, and certification programs to help towards career advancement. As an Army NAF employee, you'll have access to some on-base facilities, including fitness centers, libraries, and many other amenities. Regular full-time and part-time employees are eligible for enrollment in health and life insurance, participation in 401k and retirement plans, and paid personal time off and federal holidays. NAF flexible employees, working in the United States or a U.S. citizen or spouse or child of a U.S. citizen working for a NAFI in a foreign area, are eligible to participate in the NAF 401(k) plan. Some flexible employees may also be eligible to receive health insurance. For a slideshow presentation regarding these benefits, please click the Review Our Benefits link below. Other Information

Area of Consideration: This job is open to candidates who reside in Groton/New London County, CT/Submarine Base and surrounding area within 50-mile radius; in addition to, you are considered eligible if one of the following applies: 1) you live outside of this area and are able to commute to work on a daily/as needed basis, 2) you are able to relocate yourself on your own expenses, 3) you are an involuntarily separated military member, or 4) you are a military spouse/family member relocating to this installation. Eligibility begins 30 days before the military sponsor's reporting date at the new duty location. Military Spouse Preference (MSP) and Involuntarily Separated Military Preference (ISMP) eligible candidates are included in the area of consideration. Manual Application Option If you are unable to apply online, you can complete a paper application. To get started, contact servicing NAF Human Resources representative or office listed in the Agency Contact Information section (at the bottom of this announcement) to request a copy of the application form. Be sure to submit your completed application form, along with your resume and any required supporting documents, no later than 11:59 EST on 08/28/2026 to ensure timely processing. Important: Incomplete applications, including missing responses to questionnaire items may result in an ineligible rating. Salary Information: Salary is pro-rated based on a 40 hour work week and will be determined based on grade level qualified. Hourly salary is: F-01 $16.94ph NF-02 $20.32ph - $21.94ph NF-03 $22.01ph to $22.30ph ($45,930pa to $46,540pa) PCS Costs Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government's interest. Allowances and Differentials This job is part of a pay-banded system. Sunday premium pay for regularly scheduled employees and night differential pay may be authorized by the Garrison Commander. Non-foreign overseas allowances, cost of living (COLA), and differentials will not be paid, contingent upon eligibility. Discover Your Path to Success Before you apply, take a moment to explore our Applicant Information Kit, your go-to guide for understanding our hiring processes and making your application stand out. Inside you will find helpful tips, insights, and everything you need to feel confident and prepared. Click this URL to view the kit: https://publicfileshare.chra.army.mil/Applicants/NAF_Applicant_Information_Kit.pdf Scheduling Information: Below defines the employment category for this position: Flexible/Intermittent (00) guaranteed hours per week however may be scheduled to work between 0-40 hours per week based on Work schedule to be determined after hire.

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