Veterinary Assistant

About the role

We're proud to be "where the pets go" to find everything they need to live their best lives for more than 60 years. Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what's right for pets and people.

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
• Absorb and document patient histories and document the patient visit in the EMRs
• Assist doctors with appointments (routine and emergency), surgery, dentistry, and euthanasia, under supervision from the veterinarian
• Perform patient restraint, obtain and process laboratory samples, handle and dispense medications at the direction of the veterinarian
• Help maintain the electronic medical record
• Schedule appointments, provide client education, relay test results to doctor and clients, and maintain and update client/patient records
• Help prepare patients for surgical and dental procedures and assist doctor and/or veterinary technician in anesthetizing patients
• Maintain patients safely under anesthesia while monitoring vital parameters, help monitor patients during recovery and prepare them for hospital discharge or transfer to an overnight care facility
• Under supervision of the veterinarian and/or veterinary technician, perform in-hospital treatments for sick patients including giving injectable and oral medications as well as intravenous fluid therapy; keep patients clean, watered, and fed (when indicated and directed by doctor); safely walk canine patients when necessary for elimination
• Keep hospital environment neat and clean; perform regular cleaning of environment based on necessity as well as based on a pre-determined maintenance schedule
• Perform additional duties as assigned
• Provide backup phone and front desk support as needed

Essential Job Functions

• 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
• Assist doctors with appointments (routine and emergency), surgery, dentistry, and euthanasia, under supervision from the veterinarian
• Perform patient restraint, obtain and process laboratory samples, handle and dispense medications at the direction of the veterinarian
• Help maintain the electronic medical record
• Schedule appointments, provide client education, relay test results to doctor and clients, and maintain and update client/patient records
• Help prepare patients for surgical and dental procedures and assist doctor and/or veterinary technician in anesthetizing patients
• Maintain patients safely under anesthesia while monitoring vital parameters, help monitor patients during recovery and prepare them for hospital discharge or transfer to an overnight care facility
• Under supervision of the veterinarian and/or veterinary technician, perform in-hospital treatments for sick patients including giving injectable and oral medications as well as intravenous fluid therapy; keep patients clean, watered, and fed (when indicated and directed by doctor); safely walk canine patients when necessary for elimination
• Keep hospital environment neat and clean; perform regular cleaning of environment based on necessity as well as based on a pre-determined maintenance schedule
• Perform additional duties as assigned
• Provide backup phone and front desk support as needed

Nature of Supervision

In all activities related to the care of individual patients, the incumbent will take direct supervision from the veterinarians as well as the Veterinary Technician. For purposes of overall supervision, the incumbent takes direction from the HOM/HLOD or from the supervising technician for the shift.

Planning and Problem Solving

Like all team members, the Veterinary Assistant plays a crucial role in ensuring that day-to-day operation of the hospital is efficient and provides an optimal experience for our patients and clients. Impact This position will impact the organization by contributing to the growth of productive practice while focusing on a high-quality standard of care. From an overall hospital organizational standpoint, this position in critical to ensuring that we have a cohesive, well-trained, and motivated technical team. The desired end-result is the creation of an optimal environment that ensures employee retention, patient well-being, and customer satisfaction.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no immediate supervisory duties.

Education/Experience

• Preferred to have at least 1-year previous experience working in veterinary practice or sufficient relatable animal care experience to ensure excellent performance at the above-listed skills
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Must be compassionate and sympathetic, and be able to maintain a professional attitude and demeanor during emotional and stressful situations
• Must have telephone and computer skills
• Must be a team player willing to learn new techniques and treatments, offer creative ideas, and accept change