Internist Veterinary Assistant - Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
PetVet Care Centers' Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is currently seeking an Internist Veterinary Assistant to join their team!
At PetVet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people — providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage — for all the moments that matter.
Because life is better with pets.
We deliver the Ultimate Care Experience — every pet, every client, every time. That starts with a Culture of Care that supports our team members as much as the pets and clients we serve.
With more than 420 locally led hospitals and over 11,000 team members nationwide, we offer:
- Local autonomy with national support
- Career mobility and development opportunities
- A collaborative, inclusive environment where your wellbeing comes first
You care for pets. We care for you.
Position Overview
Join our team as an Internist Veterinary Assistant who performs a variety of administrative and equine health care duties while assisting Dr. Slovis both at farm and hospital settings. Responsible for ensuring efficient daily operations.
Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky, is an internationally recognized leader in equine medicine, combining cutting-edge technology with a collaborative team dedicated to advancing equine health and performance.
Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following
- Patient Care Responsibilities:
- Prepares procedure area for scheduled appointments and assist with cleaning of area and equipment after appointment.
- Organizes and coordinates with Medicine Admissions Coordinator and technician(s) for both inpatient and outpatient appointments when utilizing Medicine Procedures and/or stalls.
- Greet and assist clients with inpatient and outpatient admissions to include assisting with unloading and loading of horse onto trailer.
- Assists Internist during inpatient and outpatient admission procedures which includes horse handling, venipuncture for blood draw and/or sedation, administering patient treatments as per internist direction.
- Ambulatory Vehicle Responsibilities:
- Stock Internist ambulatory vehicle for appointments ensuring adequate stock while overseeing inventory to minimize medication wastage
- Assist in maintaining clean vehicle to include emptying vehicle trash and recycling (if present)
- Have farm/client addresses ready for day’s appointments
- Maintain current KY Driver’s License
- Ability and willingness to drive vehicle (SUV)
- Client Communications:
- Schedule hospital and ambulatory patient appointments with clients and medicine department admission coordinators.
- Schedule ambulatory calls by area, including emergency calls.
- Assist Internist with client communications to include obtaining patient history, medication refill instructions and other as requested/indicated
- Input client and patient information into HVMS to ensure correct contact and billing information for outpatients/farm calls.
- Miscellaneous Duties:
- Charge for procedures and examinations performed at the hospital on HVMS Bill for farm calls and offsite exams/procedures (farm ticket book or Tablet)
- Type, often from dictation, patient assessment and discharge letters.
- Email patient reports to client/farm and referring veterinarian(s)
- Assist with hospitalized patient treatments and care as needed when requested by supervisors.
- Expectations
- Maintain a professional rapport when interacting with clients and staff
- To treat other people with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.
- To be dependable and punctual on working hours scheduled and to be willing to stay beyond scheduled hours if needed.
- To be a self-starter and take the required initiative to perform all tasks successfully.
- To obtain required knowledge and skills relevant to the job responsibilities.
- To contribute to the overall team by utilizing your skills and knowledge to achieve performance excellence.
- To assist in achieving and maintaining high quality standards in the overall care and needs of patients.
- To maintain confidentiality with regards to client-patient rights.
- To conduct oneself professionally as a representative of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute refraining from inappropriate language and behavior.
- To constructively communicate progress, problems or other issues requiring attention to the appropriate supervisor, doctor or member of management.
- To offer solutions and demonstrate a positive attitude when dealing with clients, supervisors, doctors, management, other team members, and outside vendors or suppliers.
- To give guidance to other personnel in understanding the importance of adhering to procedures and proper protocol in the areas of treatment, patient care and safety standards.
- To administer treatments in a timely and efficient manner, adhering to the exact specifications of the appropriate doctor.
- To maintain a professional appearance and a courteous attitude.
- To maintain a clean/sanitary and well-organized work/service area at all times.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to be considered for this position
- Education/Experience:
- Comfortability and experience handling horses is required
- Previous veterinary experience and experience handling foals are preferred
- Associate degree (A. A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school preferred; or six months to one-year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Language Ability:
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general technical procedures. Ability to write/document technical information and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from doctors, other staff and clients.
- Math Ability:
- Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, and volume. Ability to apply simple math formulas.
- Reasoning Ability:
- Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
- Computer Skills:
- To perform this job successfully, an individual should have general computer software knowledge and keyboarding skills.
- Certificates and Licenses:
- Veterinary Technician License preferred, but not required.
- Supervisory Responsibilities:
- This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is
- frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles;
- may be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals;
- occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions (non-weather).
- regularly works near moving mechanical parts;
- experiences outdoor weather conditions and the risk of electrical shock; occasionally exposed to low levels of radiation.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is:
- frequently required to stand; walk; use hands
- frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
- occasionally required to sit; climb or balance and smell.
- regularly lift and /or move up to 100 pounds, and
- frequently may be required to exert force on more than 100 pounds, which includes holding and restraining a horse (average 1200Lbs)
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Specific horse handling and restraining skills.
Schedule
As per shift hired for:
- Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Overtime as directed. Weekends as needed.
- All time off to be preapproved by Medicine Office Manager and Dr. Slovis.
What We Offer
We care deeply about supporting our team members — professionally and personally. Benefits include:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid Parental Leave (birth, adoption, foster)
- 401(k) with discretionary contribution
- Team Member Pet Discounts
- Emotional wellbeing support — including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP
- CE stipends and career development resources
- Grant Circle — a relief fund for team members facing personal hardship
- Local hospital culture backed by national resources
Pay Range
$17—$19 USD
At PetVet Care Centers, we’re committed to a Culture of Care — for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. With more than 400 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 dedicated professionals, including 1700+ veterinarians, we offer a unique blend of local leadership and national support that helps our hospitals thrive.
Our model is built on partnership, collaboration, and local medical autonomy, empowering each hospital to deliver high-quality care while benefiting from shared resources and a strong professional community. Whether you’re providing care in a hospital or supporting operations behind the scenes, PetVet is a place where you can grow your career, stay connected to your purpose, and make a meaningful impact.
You care for pets. We care for you.
PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V
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