Careers
About The Area

Independence, Kansas, offers a charming blend of small-town warmth and rich historical heritage, making it an ideal place to call home. Residents enjoy a close-knit community with a low cost of living and affordable housing options. The town boasts excellent schools, beautiful parks, and a variety of family-friendly events, fostering a strong sense of community. With its picturesque downtown, vibrant local businesses, and proximity to scenic natural attractions, Independence provides a peaceful yet engaging environment for people of all ages.
Join the Barta family, where every day is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of pets and their families! We are a close-knit team of animal lovers dedicated to providing top-notch care in a warm, friendly environment. At Barta Animal Hospital, we believe in treating each patient as if they were our own, delivering compassionate care with a personal touch. Whether you’re a seasoned vet or just starting your career in the industry, you’ll find a collaborative atmosphere where your love and dedication for animals can truly shine. We invite you to come be a part of something truly special in Independence, KS!
Job Openings
Kennel Assistant
We are a true mixed animal practice, providing high-quality veterinary services in Southeast Kansas for pets of all sizes.
More about the Role:
Reporting into the Practice Manager, the Kennel Assistant provides care to address the needs of patients that are visiting the practice for grooming and / or boarding. The Kennel Assistant ensures that the boarding area is clean and safe for all patients by cleaning cages, runs, and ward areas and washing laundry. The Kennel Assistant walks, feeds, and administers medication to patients (as needed and supervised by Doctor or Technician and based on confidence and experience).
Competencies:
- Patience & Compassion: Remaining professional while still making Doctors, teammates, clients, and patients feel as comfortable as possible regardless of the situation or challenges presented.
- Collaboration & Teamwork: Carefully coordinating actions with practice team members. Quickly incorporating feedback to ensure positive results. Sharing ideas and being open to other’s ideas. Continually looking for ways to help others.
- Communicating: Conveying boarding outcomes to clients and teammates to ensure successful client care.
- Active Listening: Following the expressed wishes of clients.
- Client Satisfaction: Ensuring all activities and interactions result in the highest level of client satisfaction.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Provides great care for patients visiting the practice for grooming and / or boarding.
- Ensures patients are admitted noting the client’s specific instructions to ensure a quality outcome including contact information and pick up time.
- Accurately and legibly records information related to the patient such as feeding schedules, appearance, and behavior during practice visit.
- Observes patient’s appearance and activity for general physical condition, obvious signs of illness, disease and discontent.
- Appropriately handles patients and as needed, properly restrains hard-to-control patients.
- Walks patients several times a day to provide exercise and time for elimination of bowels and bladder.
- Applies knowledge of normal food and liquid requirements and as required, provides special food and liquids.
- Ensures patients are clean and fresh smelling and have been checked by a Technician / Doctor prior to discharge; ensures patient has all personal property upon exit.
- Ensures cages and patients are properly numbered and identified and that personal property (toys, treats, blankets, leashes) are stored in the proper areas and identified.
- Regularly cleans, disinfects 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. Performs general cleaning in other areas of the hospital to control the spread of disease. Washes and sterilizes water and food bowls.
- Launders and dries towels and blankets.
- Walks hospital grounds regularly and cleans any trash and stool material; empties trash throughout the practice and grounds.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements/Qualifications:
- Ability to work on weekends as required
- Previous veterinary experience preferred
- Ability to lift patients up to 25 pounds; ability to lift patients over 25 pounds with assistance
- Practices OSHA safety techniques including proper PPE
Benefits Offered:
- Paid time off
- Health insurance; dental insurance; vision insurance
- Retirement benefits or accounts
- Bonus incentive
- Flexible work schedules
- Career and professional development
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Referral Program
Benefits offered may vary depending on full or part time employment status according to company policy.
Pay Range:
USD $12.00 – USD $12.50 /Hr.
Externship
We are a true mixed animal practice, providing high-quality veterinary services in Southeast Kansas for pets of all sizes.
Requirements/Qualifications
Eligibility
Must be currently enrolled in an AVMA Accredited Veterinary School
Must be able to provide student PLIT
Love Where You Work
About Independence, KS
There are many reasons to fall in love with Independence. If you enjoy the great outdoors, Elk City State Park and Montgomery County State Park are just a few steps away. People can enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, and take in all that nature has to offer. For baseball fanatics, Independence is the home of Shulthis Stadium, which is well known as the home field where Mickey Mantle began his professional baseball career. If you love history, you will enjoy the official Little House on the Prairie historic site.
We welcome you to apply today and become a part of the Independence Community. See you soon at Barta Animal Hospital!