Veterinary Assistant at Hendersonville Veterinary Hospital

At Hendersonville Veterinary Hospital, we’ve been serving our amazing community since the 1960s, and we’ve only just begun. We recently moved into a brand new, state-of-the-art 5,000 square foot facility that includes 8 exam rooms and a dual dental suite, along with upgraded x-ray equipment, a laser surgical unit, American Hospital Association Accreditation, state-of-the-art dental equipment, and a digital dental x-ray unit. Our in-house laboratory features Heska benchtop serum chemical analyzers, a fecal centrifuge, EKG, and blood pressure machines.

About the role

The Veterinary Assistant assists the veterinarians and technicians with patient care and treatment, monitors hospitalized pets, maintains inventory, prepares prescriptions, performs routine in-house laboratory work, educates clients regarding veterinary care and procedures, and assists with surgical procedures.

Competencies

• Patience & Compassion: Remaining professional while making teammates, clients, and patients feel comfortable regardless of the situation or challenges. Responding quickly and calmly to crises while maintaining high standards of patient care.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Coordinating actions with veterinarians and practice team members, providing and incorporating feedback appropriately and timely, sharing ideas, and being open to others’ ideas.
• Communicating: Conveying instructions clearly to clients and teammates to ensure successful patient care.
• Active Listening: Following instructions from veterinarians and pet owners, anticipating needs based on prior experiences and feedback.
• Organization Skills: Tracking lab specimens, medications, patient instructions, workflow, and other job-related items while managing multiple patients and clients.
• Client Satisfaction: Ensuring all activities and interactions result in the highest level of client satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians in the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery and other tasks as needed.
• Assist veterinarians in outpatient exams by taking histories, vital signs, and weights, as well as providing client education.
• Prepare patients for surgery and monitor vital signs during surgery.
• Obtain blood, stool, and other samples; perform in-hospital laboratory testing and prepare specimens for outside laboratories.
• Take, develop, and maintain radiographs following proper safety procedures.
• Provide basic animal handling and restrain animals during exams.
• Administer and monitor medications, anesthesia, vaccines, and treatments at the discretion of the veterinarian.
• Clean and straighten exam rooms, treatment, and lab areas; restock exam rooms with supplies.
• Assist other team members to keep public areas of the practice clean; clean and maintain all medical equipment.
• Demonstrate warmth, courtesy, and professionalism in all client interactions; exercise compassion and care in all patient interactions.
• Communicate with veterinarians and practice team members regarding client discussions, patient plans, and client concerns.
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Ability to work on weekends as required.
• Minimum of 1 year of previous veterinary experience.
• Ability to lift patients and carry equipment up to 25 pounds; ability to lift over 25 pounds with assistance.
• Practice OSHA safety techniques, including proper PPE.
• Basic math skills and ability to calculate medication dosages.
• Basic computer skills, familiarity with MS Office applications.
• Strong communication skills to ensure patient safety.

Benefits

• Paid time off.
• Health, dental, and 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

USD $17.00 - USD $20.00 per hour.