Veterinary Assistant

About the role

The Veterinary Assistant position at Petco is dedicated to providing excellent medical care to our Vetco Total Care full-service hospital patients and phenomenal customer care to their owners. This role embodies Petco's core values of "Pet First," "Foster the Fun," and "Let's Go!" by fostering an environment where the patient’s needs are always prioritized, and every team member is empowered to create exceptional customer experiences.

Responsibilities

- Greet clients and patients arriving for appointments and escort them into an exam room. - Obtain weight and vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations) and record the electronic medical record. - Collect thorough patient histories and document the patient visit in the EMRs. - Assist veterinarians with appointments, surgeries, dentistry, and euthanasia, under supervision. - Perform patient restraint, obtain and process laboratory samples, handle and dispense medications. - Schedule appointments, provide client education, relay test results, and maintain and update client/patient records. - Prepare patients for surgical and dental procedures, assist in anesthesia, monitor patients during recovery, and prepare them for hospital discharge or transfer. - Perform in-hospital treatments, including giving injectable and oral medications, intravenous fluid therapy, keeping patients clean, watered, and fed. - Assist in the training of new staff members and disseminate knowledge as required. - Maintain a clean and organized hospital environment, performing regular cleaning based on necessity and schedule. - Perform additional duties as assigned. - Provide backup phone and front desk support as needed.

Requirements

- At least 1-year previous experience working in veterinary practice or sufficient relatable animal care experience. - Excellent written and verbal communication skills. - Compassionate and sympathetic attitude, maintaining a professional demeanor during emotional and stressful situations. - Telephone and computer skills. - Team player willing to learn new techniques and treatments, offer creative ideas, and accept change.

Qualifications

- High school diploma or equivalent. - Current CPR certification. - Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. - Ability to lift up to 30 pounds as necessary.

Skills

- Strong communication and interpersonal skills. - Patient and empathetic nature. - Ability to work independently and as part of a team. - Knowledge of veterinary practices and procedures. - Basic computer skills.

Benefits

Petco offers comprehensive benefits including health and financial benefits, 401K, incentives, and paid time off. For more details, please refer to [Petco Total Rewards](https://careers.petco.com/us/en/key-benefits).

Pay

Salary range: $18.00 - $22.00 per hour.

Schedule

Full-time position, not remote.