Veterinary Assistant - Surgery

TVES Veterinary Assistant - Surgery

Our Mission:

Leading through exceptional veterinary care and sustainable employee ownership

Our Peak Principles:

Our PEAK principles guide us in how we individually and collectively make decisions, respond to challenges, and choose directions of growth for our hospital. 

Patient Care -

Patient care is our guiding principle. We believe that patient care is most successful when it is performed with an evidence-based, empathetic, and compassionate team-based approach. We believe the best care for pets involves a partnership between pet owners, their primary care veterinarians, and our team. 

Engagement -

Engagement is a heightened connection that drives us to contribute to hospital success, support our team, and serve our community. Everyone should be challenged, heard, appreciated, and integral to our mission. 

Accountability - 

We maintain high standards for individual and team performance. We hold each other accountable to our mission statement and PEAK principles.  We are responsible for honest and ethical conduct and are willing to be judged on our performance. 

Knowledge Growth - 

Exceptional medicine is a moving target.  We are committed to continuous learning, questioning, and improving the quality of the care we provide. 

Job Description:

TVES Veterinary Assistants work with Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVT), Veterinarians, and other team members to provide exceptional patient care for dogs, cats, and small exotic pets and contribute to our culture of employee engagement and ownership.  Exceptional patient care involves partnership and communication with clients and primary care veterinarians, as well as providing evidence-based, cost-effective, compassionate, and timely care.  As part of the team, Veterinary Assistants assist the LVT’s & veterinarians in providing patient medical care and also assist client care staff when needed in admitting patients, collecting payments, and answering phone questions.  In addition, veterinary assistants assist the team in keeping the hospital and grounds clean and safe.

Veterinary Assistants in the surgery department are crucial in obtaining appropriate histories for surgical patients, obtaining diagnostics, preparing patients for surgery, assisting in surgery, providing post-operative care, and participating in case follow-up. 

Essential Job Duties:

• Perform treatments and administer medication as directed by the veterinarian
• Perform laboratory tests and take radiographs
• Assist client care representatives with the triage of incoming patients
• Perform “pre-exams” on incoming patients and gather brief medical histories
• Assist in surgical procedures, including scrubbing in.
• Prepare treatment sheets and rounding patients to the ICU staff.
• Communicate with clients/owners about the status of patients and discuss treatment and post-operative plans as directed by the veterinarian.
• Be responsible for the cleanliness and upkeep of the surgical suites, prep room, and equipment, including but not limited to surgical packs, monitors, anesthesia equipment, and orthopedic tools.
• Retrieve voicemail messages and respond to clients promptly as directed by the surgeon.
• Participate in follow-up care, including bandage changes, radiographs, bloodwork, and client communication (including documentation) as needed. 
• Enter and double-check surgical exams, diagnostics, procedures, post-op care, and medication charges.
• Fill prescriptions

• Report safety concerns, adverse events, and unanticipated patient outcomes to the veterinarian on the floor and TVES owners promptly and accurately

• Participate in all staff and technician/assistant mandatory meetings
• Participate in the review process for veterinarians when requested
• Support the TVES PEAK Principles

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Cooperative work style

• Growth mindset

• Stress tolerance and attention to detail

• Veterinary Medication Clerk license

Reporting:

The TVES Veterinary Assistants in Surgery will report to the Lead Veterinary Technician and the surgeon.  Any concerns in the service should initially be reported to the veterinary surgeon.  Any concerns involving the veterinary surgeon should be discussed with the medical director. 

To apply, please include a cover letter and resume, attention: Kim Moore.

Salary : $20 - $28