Veterinary Assistant

Job Summary

The Veterinary Assistant serves as an essential member of the Veterinary team. By providing skilled medical, technical and administrative assistance to the team throughout all phases of service we are positioned to achieve greater efficiency in all areas of veterinary operations.  This role is critical in educating and communicating with pet parents. Veterinary Assistants must understand and personally connect with our core values and principles as described in our Mission/Vision Statements.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provides compassionate, hands-on care to all patients, ensuring comfort, safety and well-being
• Assists the doctors and technicians with physical exams, records vital signs and clinical observations and administers medications and injections per hospital protocols
• Performs diagnostics including radiographs, EKGs, lab sample collection (i.e. blood, urine, fecal) and in-house testing (i.e. heartworm, skin scrapings, urinalysis)
• Prepares and maintains exam rooms, treatment areas and equipment to support smooth clinical operations
• Interprets canine body language and follows safe handling guidelines
• Educates and supports clients during patient admissions, discharges and follow-up, including home care guidance and medication instruction
• Ensures patients are clean, groomed and in appropriate medical condition
• Maintains a clean organized hospital environment while adhering to OSHA safety standards and infection control protocols
• Ensures specimen samples are properly prepared for pickup
• Assists technicians and doctors when needed
• Accurately documents patient information, including vitals, vaccine records and SOAP notes in medical files
• Assists with evacuation of all animals if an emergency occurs

Qualifications

• 1+ years of professional work experience as a Veterinary Assistant preferred 
• Genuinely enjoys helping people and their pets
• Can handle the stress when animals are ill or in pain
• Empathetic and patient when dealing with clients and sick animals
• Highly organized
• Works well in a team setting
• Able to shift priorities in accordance with unexpected events
• Remains calm and efficient during a medical crisis
• Comfortable interacting with animals of all breeds and sizes
• Passionate about animal welfare; treats all animals with compassion and kindness

Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred

Computer Skills

• Must be able to learn and efficiently use company software
• Must be able to learn new technology in accordance with business needs

Physical Demands

• Position requires a person to be both indoors and outdoors regardless of the weather
• Majority of the day is spent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds regularly, up to 100 pounds with assist
• Must be comfortable working with a wide variety of animals including small and large dogs
• Must be able to work around pet hair and dander
• Must be able to climb 2 flights of stairs multiple times per day

Working Conditions

• Potential exposure to dog and cat bites
• Potential exposure to contagious disease or infection
• Exposure to contaminants
• Exposure to extreme weather (i.e. heat and cold)
• Must work around pet hair and dander

Disclaimer

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed or deleted in accordance with business needs.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental Insurance
• Health Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Employee Discount
• Paid Time Off