Veterinary Assistant

Job Title: Veterinary Assistant

Hours Per Week: FT = 35-40

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Have completed High School Diploma or education degree (GED)

Must be 19 years of age

JOB SUMMARY:

Provide care for patients in all areas of the clinic and to assist the Veterinarians and Licensed Veterinary Technicians. This includes monitoring hospitalized pets, performing basic health care needs, restraining, stocking, maintaining cleanliness throughout the facility and grounds and providing customer service.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work setting often is noisy. When working with animals that are frightened or in pain, a Veterinary Assistant is at risk of being bitten or scratched.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• PATIENT CARE:
• Walk all dogs in the morning and afternoon
• Feed and water all surgery patients a normal diet as needed
• Check with the doctor or treatment technician for instructions on hospitalized patients
• Assist the technicians/doctors
• Clean and disinfect cages and runs
• Provide extra walks when required
• Walk through hospital and kennel areas to ensure cleanliness
• Recognize patients in distress & in need of care
• Recognize different diets & what they are used for

EXAM/SURGICAL ASSISTANCE:*

• Taking rectal temps
• Mixing up vaccines (accuracy important)
• Counting Pills
• Drawing up injections
• Monitoring patients
• Assisting with X-Rays

PHARMACY:

• Recognize commonly used drugs & know where they are located. Know which drugs are “refrigerate” or “shake well”
• Be able to type prescription labels with full instructions provided by doctor

RECORD KEEPING:

• Be able to spell commonly used words in taking histories from clients
• Record events on patients records such as “walked outside” or “urine in litter box”

SURGERY:

• Understand the basics of sterile technique
• Monitor anesthesia including respiratory rate & depth, ect.
• Use & understand basics of advanced anesthetic monitoring equipment
• Fill out surgery report on record
• Maintain surgery care chart

CLEANING:

• Pick up waste from lobby and yard areas
• Wash and dry laundry
• Vacuum and mop kennel areas
• Empty trash
• Empty recyclables
• Clean scales, counters, seats, tables, walls
• Clean sinks and wet table
• Clean surgery area after surgery
• Clean surgery instruments, prepare surgery packs
• Clean floor mats & rugs
• Empty outside trash
• Autoclave
• Work on keep busy list when slow.

STOCKING:

• Toilet paper
• Soap dispensers
• Paper towels
• Medical supplies

CUSTOMER SERVICE:

• Bring patients to clients
• Assist clients to car with pet if needed
• Communicate with clients (including but not limited to): Puppy and kitten kits, Heartworm and flea products and infestation control.

COMMUNICATION:

• Document patient concerns
• Discuss patient concerns with the doctor

BEHAVIORAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Foster a positive and productive working environment.
• Maintain a high level of professionalism at all times.
• Abide by all safety policies and foster a safe working environment.
• Abide by all company policies and procedures and adapt to change in those policies and procedures as needed.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Good attendance.
• Work towards ensuring a consistent level of care for all patients.
• Follow through on assigned tasks.
• Find ways to be innovative and creative to develop current and potentially future policies and procedures.

BEHAVIORAL REQUIREMENTS (Cont):

• Be able to handle a high stress environment while multitasking and still maintain a professional and positive attitude.
• Attend staff meetings as required.

INTERPERSONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to communicate to and treat all patients, visitors, clients, doctors, and coworkers with courtesy, respect, and concern.
• Ability to present a positive image of Bellevue Animal Hospital at all times through actions and words.
• Ability to be self-managed.
• Be aware of how decisions and actions affect all the other departments within the company.
• Be willing to assist other departments as needed.
• Communicate concerns to your supervisor in a timely, professional, and constructive manner.
• Develop confidence to lead coworkers when the need arises and also be able to accept directives as necessary.
• Fulfill tasks or duties as requested by doctors, technicians, supervisors, and/or coworkers.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Seeing:

Must be able to read treatment sheets, dry eraser boards, and labels on products, cleaners, medications. Read computer screens

Hearing:

Must be able to hear well enough to communicate with co-workers and clients. Hear monitoring equipment, IV Pumps

Standing/Walking:

Must be able to stand and walk throughout the day

Use of Hands:

Must be able to operate computer & draw up syringes

Stooping/Kneeling/Reaching:

Frequent stooping, kneeling, and reaching to access patients, stocked items, cleaning, etc…

PHYSICAL DIMENSION for Lifting, Carrying, Pushing, and Pulling:

Must be able to lift, carry, push or pull 40 lbs

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $14.50 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Weekends as needed

Application Question(s):

• Background check
• Are you over the age of 19?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Veterinary: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $15