TEMPLATE - Veterinary Assistant

Position Overview: The veterinary assistant provides support to the veterinarians and technicians in their daily tasks by cleaning and maintaining equipment, feeding, exercising and grooming patients, preparing and sanitizing surgery suites, restraining and handling patients, and clerical and administrative work. They deliver quality care for all patients and provide exceptional service.

Essential Functions

Provide compassionate care to all patientsGreet patients and their owners as they arrive and show them to an examining room, taking the patient's weight and other vital signs upon arrivalTriage patients, perform physical exams, treatments, and administer medication as directed by the licensed veterinary technicians (LVT's). Calm and soothe anxious patientsAssist doctors and technicians with the administration of medications or with patient restraintPerform laboratory tests and take radiographsOperate and maintain hospital equipment, including EKG, fluid pump, syringe pump, scales, anesthetic monitors, and machines, etc. Fill prescriptions, calculate and administer medications, maintain proper documentation, logging, and security of controlled drugs. Feed patients as prescribed by the attending doctor or as the client has requested; record appetites; recognize and report any unusual conditions or abnormal behaviorsCommunicate in a positive manner with clients and ensure that they feel comfortable leaving their pet(s)Educate clients about insurance, wellness, and medicinal plansMaintain the cleanliness of the hospital each day; clean equipment, kennels, and facilities using chemicals and supplies; ensure the safe use of chemicals; complete laundryBath and care for patients who stay overnight; ensure that every animal released is clean and properly groomed prior to their releaseAdhere to the hospital's safety and wellness regulationsUnderstand and carry out oral and written directionsMaintain accurate medical recordsShow up for work regularly; full-time presence at work is essential for every shiftPromote hospital products and services and support the organizationRespond respectfully with urgency to directions given by Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVT). Perform any other duties as assigned by the Manager; may have other assigned duties if working in a specialty area (i.e., dentistry, surgery, emergency, radiology, cardiology, neurology, internal medicine, etc.)

Additional Functions: Assignment to the areas below may include the following additional job functions:

Cardiology

Assists in collecting and submitting laboratory samplesAbility to learn to identify common and acquired cardiac disorders and arrhythmiasSets up and calibrates transducers/physiographs to measure intracardiac and intravascular pressuresUnderstands the basic physiology and engineering of pacemakers

Dentistry

Assists with dental cleanings, polishing, and intraoral radiographsAssists with dental procedures and oral surgery

Dermatology

Assists with performing ear cleanings and minor flushesObtains skin scrapes and tape samplesPrepares skin and ear cytologyMay induce and monitor anesthesia under direction and supervisionMay place intravenous cathetersMay prepare and administer medications, intravenously, orally, and topically

Emergency

Assists veterinarians with a variety of emergency procedures and critical care situationsCleans wounds and applies casts or bandagesGive injections and takes blood samplesMay have to be on call in the intensive care unit

Internal Medicine

Researches general wellness and preventative medicine for animals

Neurology

Assists with various technical procedures including intravenous catheter placement, venipuncture, IV injections, wound management, drug administration assistance, bandage care, vital sign monitoring, intubation, surgery support, and various routine diagnostic Electromyography (EMG) testing

Oncology

Assists veterinarians with patient assessment, diagnostics, treatments, and proceduresProvides empathy, comfort, and unparalleled nursing care to all patients and serves as a strong patient advocate during the patient's hospitalizationProvides client communication and education on various oncology disease processes

Ophthalmology

Assists veterinarians with ocular examsAssists with diagnostic testing (Schirmer Tear Testing, Tonometry, Ocular Ultrasounds, Electroretinogram testing, etc.)

Radiology

Assists veterinarians with providing high-quality diagnostic imaging services to inpatient, outpatient, surgical, and emergency patients

Surgery

Provides extensive surgical assistance by preparing patients, scrubbing, shaving, acting as a surgical nurse, and operating specific surgical equipment and supplies

Competencies

Care and Compassion – displays a desire to build rapport, provide personal assistance, and emotional supportAnimal Restraint and Safety – uses sound judgment when handling patients and always takes appropriate precautionary steps when neededCommunication – uses effective and appropriate methods of interacting with othersTeam Orientation – works cooperatively with the team to address tasks and accomplish goalsDependability – demonstrates responsibility in completing all job tasksCleanliness Standards – consistently follows sanitization and sterilization policies and proceduresEnergy and Productivity – completes tasks quickly and thoroughly without promptingTime Management – manages time and prioritizes work tasks effectivelyTechnical Skills and Learning – keeps up-to-date with new technical skills and knowledge in the fieldCare and Use of Equipment – takes appropriate steps to perform operation checks and maintenance of equipment

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalentOne or more years' experience in a veterinary environment successfully performing all of the duties of this positionVet Tech (VTNE) Certification preferredExperience with surgical monitoring, radiology, dental prophylaxis, and client education preferredMay consider an equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience

Position Requirements

Maintains current knowledge in the field of expertise and actively seeks opportunities for continuing education and skill improvement. Ability to restrain animals, fill prescriptions, and monitor sedation proceduresAbility to work with or around sick animals, potentially hazardous materials, cleaning chemicals, gas anesthetics, zoonotic diseases, and unpleasant odorsRequires knowledge of hospital procedures, policies, and services; client and patient treatment protocols; hospital computer systems; and the standard procedures, records, and terminology used in a veterinary hospital. Must be flexible with scheduling and able to work some weekends and holidaysDepending on the functional area of assignment, tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and/or extended periods of time standing and/or walking. This is a strenuous job that requires a lot of lifting, cleaning, and constant motion. May involve some climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawlingSome tasks involve the periodic performance of moderately physically demanding work, usually involving lifting or carrying moderately heavy animals (up to 50 pounds)

Additional Information: The list of essential functions, as outlined in this job description, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. The omission of any job function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

Pay Range

$16—$20 USD

PetVet Care Centers, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading operators of veterinary hospitals for companion animals. The company operates over 450 hospitals across multiple states and employs over 11,000 people including over 800 veterinarians. Since its inception, PetVet has been structured around a model that is focused on developing a partnership between the hospitals and the company and providing the highest quality medicine and service.

PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V

PetVet respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. Please see our privacy notice for additional information about our data practices.