What are the responsibilities and job description for the Veterinary Assistant position at Wallingford Veterinary Hospital LLC?
Wallingford Veterinary Hospital is a privately owned and operated 1.5 doctor small animal practice seeking a dependable and enthusiastic Veterinary Assistant. The candidate should display eagerness to learn new skills in order to advance his or her career. This job is full time (40-45 hours a week), including Saturdays.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Maintaining cleanliness and organization of kennels, treatment areas, exam rooms.
- Perform routine cleaning and sterilization of equipment and instruments.
- Providing basic animal care, including feeding, and grooming.
- Assisting technicians and doctors in appointments, with hospitalized patients, and in radiology.
- Handling and appropriately labeling and packaging of laboratory samples.
- Acquiring vitals and pertinent medical history.
- Communicating concerns or questions from clients to doctors and technicians.
- Restraining animals during examinations or vaccinations.
- Keeping accurate records and logs.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Proven experience as a Veterinary Assistant or similar position working with animals is preferred, but not required.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Patient and caring personality.
- Ability to follow instructions properly.
- Comfortable being around cats and dogs of all sizes and temperaments.
- Ability to handle and restrain animals safely and compassionately.
- Ability to meet the physical demands of the job (e.g. lift up to 50 lbs).
- Availability to occasionally work in emergencies or stressful situations.
- Basic understanding of computers; must be able to type records.
- Certificate from a Veterinary Assistant program is a plus, but not required.
- Proficiency with computer systems.
Training and areas for growth:
- Front desk: checking in clients/patients, charging out clients, answering phones.
- Treatment: Dispensing and administering medications in accordance with doctor’s instructions, drawing up vaccines or other injectable medications, use of inhouse laboratory equipment.
- Surgery: assisting in pre and postoperative care, IV catheter placement, assisting technicians with anesthesia monitoring, patient discharges.
- Exam Rooms: administering vaccines or other types of injections and subcutaneous fluids, blood draws.
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Opportunities for professional development and continuing education.
- A supportive and collaborative team environment.