Veterinary Assistant I

Job Type
Part-time
Description
Position Overview
The purpose of this position is to ensure quality care for pets and promote greater efficiency by relieving technicians and veterinarians of technical and administrative work. The Veterinary Assistant performs a variety of patient-care and client-care duties and conducts patient assessments, oversees animals recovering from anesthesia, and performs procedures or any treatments.
The Veterinary Assistant uses sound judgment when making decisions about patient care, responds quickly and calmly to emergencies, and maintains high standards of patient care. This person communicates clearly with the veterinarians, other hospital personnel, and clients to ensure that patients receive the best care they need. Veterinary Assistants are friendly and flexible in the face of varying expectations from clients and coworkers. They multi-task, prioritize tasks well, and think creatively.
Veterinary Assistants strongly believes in the quality of care provided and communicate this sense of assurance to clients. The Veterinary Assistant provides patient and client comfort by keeping the hospital clean and presentable and may provide training to other members of the healthcare team.
Must be able to withstand unpleasant odors and noises. May be exposed to bites, scratches, animal waste, and contagious diseases.
Reporting Structure
Directly reports to Lead Veterinary Assistant. Periodically receives direction from Office Manager, Practice Manager, and veterinarians. Works alongside the Vet, who determine the scope and type of support services to be furnished and the procedures used to accomplish them.
Primary Responsibilities
Patient Care

• Rooming all of the doctors' exams and collecting a medical history from the owners.
• Debrief the doctor before they go into the exam.
• Translates the doctor's recommendations to the owners and goes over estimates of the treatment care plan. The estimates need an owner's approval and signature before proceeding.
• Provides client education and answers all of the clients concerns.
• Provides compassionate patient care, keeping patients clean, dry, and comfortable.
• Alerts the veterinarian(s) to changes in patient's condition.
• Recognizes patients with contagious disease and follows relevant procedures.
• Provides safe and effective patient restraint. Able to handle aggressive cats and dogs.
• Medicates patients.
• Pulls blood from patients.
• Vaccinates patients and understands proper vaccine protocol.
• Helps assist with cystocentesis (urine collection).
• Uses proper safety techniques and positioning for taking radiological images.
• Recovers patients from anesthesia.
• Performs basic emergency care, CPR, and intensive care as needed.
• Assists with documenting patient treatments and entering accurate charges into their accounts.
• Sets up and assists with procedures, such as IV catheterization and fluid administration.
• Assists with patient admits and releases as needed.
• Ensures patients leave in better condition than when they arrived (e.g., clean and with IV catheter removed).
• Maintains knowledge of drugs and their uses.
• Calculates drug dosages and fills prescriptions accurately; asks for guidance if necessary.
• Assists with lab tests as needed. Knows how to properly run a centrifuge and use an IDEXX machine. Knowledge about how to send out samples to any referral lab.
• Completes medical records accurately and efficiently.

• Keeps hospital clean and stocked.
• Cleans and stocks exam rooms between appointments.
• Always cleans up after themselves and after any treatments.
• Utilizes in-house inventory control procedures to ensure items are stocked appropriately.

• Adheres to all hospital policies, standards, and procedures, including but not limited to uniforms, grooming, smoking, and personal calls, as stated in the hospital procedures manual.
• Serves as a representative of the hospital, displaying courtesy tact, consideration, and a positive attitude in all interactions with clients, patients, and other staff members.
• Demonstrates initiative in everyday duties by seeking other work during down times, assisting other employees, and filling in for other employees as needed.
• Adheres to the posted work schedule. Arrives for work promptly and begins work at the start time. Follow hospital policies for reporting lateness or absences.
• Utilizes the time clock to clock in and out at the beginning and end of each day and during breaks.
• Organizes work area and exercises time-management skills to maximize personal efficiency.
• Prioritizes tasks and handles multiple tasks in a calm, organized manner.
• Maintains a friendly demeanor towards clients and fellow staff members at all times.
• Should be able to greet and treat all clients with respect.

• Attends departmental and staff meetings.
• Answers phone when the Client Care Specialist (receptionist) is unable to answer by third ring.
• Understanding of the hospital layout and knows the location of all the supplies.
• Performs any other duties as required by employer.

• Education equivalent to the completion of the 12th grade.
• (Preferred) At least one year of recent experience in veterinary practice or medical environment, with increasing responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to accurately manage and record detailed information in medical records and other data-management systems.
• Ability to properly restrain patients.
• Knowledge of spelling and meaning of commonly used veterinary medical terminology and procedures.
• Ability to complete assigned tasks in the time allotted without direct supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to show empathy toward clients and treat animals with respect and compassion.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• A commitment to outstanding client service.
• Ability to lift objects weighing 40 pounds without assistance and objects weighing more than 40 pounds with assistance.
• Ability to stay on task and work energetically for entire shift