Veterinary Assistant

Description

The Veterinary Assistant supports our veterinarians by performing a variety of animal health care duties, providing quality patient and client care in accordance with our organizational mission, goals, and management philosophy. We are seeking a community-focused individual with effective communication abilities in addition to strong technical skills. Remedy’s veterinary services include examinations, vaccinations, basic diagnostics, and treatment. Additional services include nail clipping, ear cleaning, and microchipping.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist in restraint of animals, perform physical examinations, give vaccinations, and take blood
• Under the supervision and direction of the attending veterinarian, administer oral, topical and injectable (SQ, IM & IV) medications
• Perform ear cleanings, nail trims, and anal gland expressions
• Perform and analyze fecal samples, skin and ear cytology
• Enter appropriate medical and communication notes in practice management software
• Filling prescriptions
• Performing routine laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging
• Maintain safe and sanitary areas for animals
• Handle animals in a humane manner according to established safety policies and procedure
• Educate pet owners on proper animal health care and discharge instructions
• Assist with surgical procedures (prepare surgical suite, drug calculations, pre-medication, catheter placement, induction, intubation, prep and scrub surgical field, monitor anesthesia, recover animals, sterilize instruments)
• Report concerns and seek assistance from management for situations that require immediate problem-solving
• Interact with other departments as needed to accomplish hospital tasks
• Provide compassionate and patient care to both pets and people
• Maintain safe and sanitary conditions to include safe handling of cleaning supplies, chemicals, and equipment in compliance with safety and SDS rules

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; must possess conversational and written English 
• Must understand disease transmission and take proper measures to assure disease vectors are kept to a minimum
• Ability to read animal body language and handle animals accordingly
• Ability to administer injections, perform venipuncture, and take vital signs of animal
• Ability to administer treatments/medications intravenously, orally, intramuscularly, and subcutaneously
• Ability to properly restrain animals, including fractious pets, for examination and treatment
• A desire to work with animals and people
• Strong customer service approach and demonstrated ability to build meaningful relationships across multiple departments and job functions
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability communicate effectively with the public, fellow employees
• A team-oriented and collaborative approach to work
• Lifelong learner with desire to share knowledge with others
• Humane handling of animals
• Proficient in the use of computer programs including Microsoft Office Suite, email, Internet, and database management software to efficiently accomplish work
• Physical efforts that require standing, bending, reaching, stooping, squatting, and lifting, pulling, or pushing up to 50 lbs. with reasonable accommodation, and ability to work in a noisy environment
• Reliable, punctual attendance required
• Must maintain a professional appearance; scrubs are to be worn at all times
• Minimum of one year's experience in veterinary medicine; general knowledge of animal welfare
• High school diploma or GED equivalent