Veterinary Assistant

Beautiful, established, practice requesting a Veterinary Assistant who would like to continue to their growth and development by joining our team here in Houston. We are an AAHA accredited practice with high-quality medicine including #2 surgery suites, #2 dental suites, Endoscopy and Ultrasound suite, Digital Radiology suite, #16 cage ICU staffed 24 hours a day, and In-house Laboratory with all diagnostic capabilities. We have (8-10) doctors, practicing small animal and small animal emergency. Please visit our website for a better understanding of our mission, standards and services to our patients and clients. Current shift available is 4, 11 hour days a week daytime shift.

Summary of Job Duties and Essential Functions:

The responsibilities of Veterinary Assistants vary considerably from one practice to another. In some situations, they may be assigned to assist only in the exam room or to assist only the veterinary technicians. More typically, though, they will divide their time between assisting the receptionists, helping doctors with physical examinations, and helping veterinary technicians position patients for and process radiographs, prepare patients for surgery, provide nursing and comfort care, and perform treatments or basic laboratory diagnostic tests. Veterinary assistants must build positive, professional relationships with clients and staff members. Assistants should have completed or be in the process of completing their high school diplomas or equivalent and must pursue significant on-the-job training. Listed below, but not limited to, are the job duties of the Veterinary Assistant.

General Knowledge and Tasks

· Admit and discharge patients to/from the hospital.

· Record doctors’ and technicians’ notes in patients’ computer records or on paper records.

· Check files for completeness of notes, charges, callbacks, and reminders before refiling. Ensure that records include current laboratory tests, procedure results, current patients’ weights, immunizations, diagnoses, and treatments.

· Measure and record each patient’s weight, temperature, pulse rate, and respiratory rate.

· Answer questions and educate clients about basic pet care and procedures including nutrition; internal and external parasite control; immunization protocols; the administration of topical, oral, otic, and ophthalmic medications; spay and neuter procedures; and behavior and training.

· Clean and straighten exam rooms to prepare for incoming patients. Spray disinfectant on exam tables, wipe them clean, and dry them. Remove sources of offensive odors; empty trash if necessary. Check floors, walls, doors, and counters, and sweep or clean them as needed to remove hair, body fluids, and dirt.

· Using aseptic procedures, draw up vaccines and/or injections that doctors will administer.

· Administer vaccines subcutaneously and intramuscularly. Follow the practice’s policies, the manufacturers’ directions, and AAFP guidelines for the placement of vaccines.

· Dispose of used needles and syringes and other sharp objects as set forth by the practice’s policy and OSHA standards.

· Perform suture removals, nail trims, and express anal glands.

· Assist with routine exam-room procedures, such as venipunctures, skin scrapings, fine-needle aspirates, corneal stains, and ear treatments.

· Lay out and/or set up instruments that doctors will use during ophthalmic, otic, oral, and/or skin examinations, as determined by the patients’ presenting complaints, prior to the doctors’ arrivals in rooms.

Qualifications/Skills

· Maintain a professional appearance while at work, including clean and pressed uniforms or clothes.

· Promote a positive attitude among staff.

· Handle stress and pressure with poise and tact.

· Maintain strict confidentiality regarding clients and patients for whom the practice provides veterinary services.

· Be prepared to handle any pet or facility emergency that may arise, including dog or cat fights, choking or strangulating animals, and facility fire or weather-related emergencies. Follow contingency plans.

· Follow established procedures to ensure the security of patients, staff, data, revenue, inventory, and the facility.

Education/Background

· High school graduate or equivalent

· At least one year experience working with animals in a patient care or animal facility

Working Conditions

· Have the physical strength and ability to stand for an entire shift when needed, and be able to lift, push and pull, pets and objects weighing up to 50 pounds without assistance. Assist in lifting patients weighing more than 50 pounds.

· Associate is routinely exposed to a variety of pets that may bite or scratch, and on occasion, exposed to anesthesia, radiation, biological hazards and medication/controlled substances.

· Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

· have physical mobility and dexterity to frequently stand, walk bend, push, twist, kneel, climb, squat, stoop, and reach overhead

· Considerable mental/visual concentration, coordinating manual dexterity with mental/visual attention, requires good hand-eye coordination, arm-hand-finger dexterity with the ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard and operate equipment.

· The noise level in the work environment is moderately high.

· Must wear closed-toe shoes, gloves, and other protective items as required.

· A consistent presence at work is required.

· Must pass company required drug screen.