Veterinary Assistant

PetVet Care Centers' All Pets Veterinary Hospital is currently seeking a Veterinary Assistant to join their team!

Position Overview

The purpose of this position is to assist technicians and veterinarians with the flow of admitted and discharged patients.

The veterinary assistant is friendly and flexible in the face of varying expectations from clients and co-workers. The veterinary assistant quickly prioritizes, changes focus, multi-tasks, and thinks creatively and must respond quickly and calmly to emergencies, leading others through necessary tasks.

The veterinary assistant strongly believes in the quality of care provided and communicate this sense of assurance to clients. The veterinary assistant understands veterinary services and recommendations and clearly convey the value of the services to the clients, promoting a positive work environment and providing direction to and motivating coworkers.

Must be able to withstand unpleasant odors and noises. May be exposed to bites, scratches, animal waste, and contagious diseases.

Position type and expected hours of work:

• Full-Time & Part-Time
• Monday-Sunday
• Weekend shifts required
• Holiday shifts required
• Overtime may be required

Reporting Structure

Including but not limited to:

Directly reports to Supervisor/Lead Technician, Practice Manager and Medical Director Doctor. Works alongside the Technicians and doctors, who determine the scope and type of support services to be needed for procedures to accomplish them.

Primary Responsibilities

Including but not limited to:

Veterinary Knowledge:

1. Maintains and uses an appropriate level of veterinary medical knowledge. Takes advantage of in-house educational materials and continuing education provided by the hospital.
2. Maintains knowledge of the hospital's programs, products, and services.
3. Keeps abreast of over-the-counter products and their usage, including flea control products, skin products, vitamins, and pet foods.

Daily Chores:

1. Launders towels, gowns and surgery items in a timely manner throughout the day.
2. Stocks and supplies treatment area, including setting up kennels and rooms.
3. Maintains food and medication inventory by accurately checking in deliveries, stocking, and always rotating stock (monitor expiration dates).
4. Walking surgery pets in the morning and making sure ready to go home.
5. Boarding/ hospital care- document observations, clean and prepare cage/kennels, follow proper feeding/medication schedule.

Patient Care:

1. Provides client service and administers care to boarded, hospitalized, and inpatient pets.
2. Admits surgical, dental, and admitted patients throughout the day.
3. Generates treatment plans.
4. Gathers history and reviews treatments plans.
5. Coordinates care of admitted and kennel patients with veterinarian on that case.
6. Collects samples.
7. Opens templates and enters patient history.
8. Assists holding with intravenous catheters, starting fluids, and other treatments.
9. Assists veterinarian/Technician with exams and treatments for admitted and kennel patients.
10. Assists other team members, ensuring that all hospitalized patients are fed, watered, given their medications, and walked, and that their environments are clean and comfortable.

Animal Handling:

1. Restrains animals in a safe, efficient, and compassionate manner during examinations and procedures.
2. Assists with transport of animals to different areas of the hospital as needed. Cages and removes animals as needed.
3. Exercises compassion and care in all interactions with patients. Properly handles fractious and fearful animals.

Exam Room Assistance:

1. Follows established procedures in order to assist veterinarians with examinations and facilitate the flow of clients and outpatients.
2. Consults with veterinarians on a daily basis to plan each day's activities. Keeps veterinarians apprised of potential problems, discussions with clients, and other situations as necessary.
3. Reviews medical records and notes made by the admitting Client Service Representative (receptionist) to discern the nature of the visit and any tests or procedures that may be needed.
4. Stocks drawers in exam rooms and treatment areas.
5. Greets clients and patients and escorts them into an exam room. Places the patient on the exam table and prepares for the veterinarian to enter the room. Obtains base information (weight, temperature, etc.) for the pet.
6. Discusses with the client the reason for the visit, any symptoms or problems, and any procedures that may need to be completed (e.g., vaccinations or fecal or heartworm tests).
7. Uses a pre-exam checklist to ensure that all medical needs are covered.
8. Obtains lab samples that may be needed from the pet. Uses a fecal loop when necessary. Anticipates and prepares any medications or vaccines the veterinarian will need to treat the patient.
9. Notifies the veterinarian when patients in the exam room are ready to be seen. Advises the veterinarian about the nature of the visit, preventive procedures due, and necessary tests.
10. Assists the veterinarian with the exam by restraining the animal, preparing forms, and gathering instruments. Remains in the exam room until excused by the veterinarian.
11. Ensures that all procedures rendered during the visit are documented for proper billing.
12. Prepares the exam room for the next visit.

Medical Records:

1. Ensures accurate and efficient documentation of all vaccinations, procedures, and notes in the medical record.
2. Admits and releases patients for all hospital procedures, appropriately completing paperwork.
3. Accurately invoices clients for services.
4. Ensures that reminders are set correctly for every visit.
5. Coordinates patients that need to be seen same day, keeping in mind other services requested. (e.g., TNT, A/G)
6. Completes records, charges are input correctly, and discharge instructions for each patient in a timely manner.

Client Relations:

1. Demonstrates warmth, courtesy, and professionalism in all client interactions.
2. Communicates with clients regarding the medical status of their pets.
3. Prepares hospital release instructions.
4. Discuss financial commitments with clients supporting hospital financial policies.
5. Educates clients regarding preventive medicine and vaccination requirements.
6. Packages up items to go home (e.g., medications, food, instructions).
7. Assists with the discharge of hospitalized, surgical, and dental patients.
8. Gives clients handouts and educational materials to take home to further their understanding of their pets' health issues.

Facility Maintenance:

1. Cleans and straightens exam rooms, treatment areas, and lab areas. Assists other staff members to keep the public areas of the practice clean and well maintained.
2. Restocks exam rooms with supplies as needed.
3. Cleans and maintains all medical equipment as required.

Personal Conduct

Including but not limited to:

1. 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/policy. This includes PetVet Care Centers employee handbook.
2. 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.
3. Demonstrates initiative in everyday duties by seeking other work during down times, assisting other employees, and filling in for other employees as needed.
4. Adheres to the posted work schedule. Arrives for work promptly and begins work at the start time. Follows hospital policies for reporting lateness or absences.
5. Utilizes the time clock to clock in and out at the beginning and end of each day and during breaks.
6. Organizes work area and exercises time-management skills to maximize personal efficiency.
7. Prioritizes tasks and handles multiple tasks in a calm, organized manner.

Additional Duties:

Including but not limited to:

1. Attends departmental and staff meetings.
2. Processes technician appointments.
3. Processes pharmacy requests.
4. Answers phone when the Client Service Representative (receptionist) cannot answer by the third ring.
5. Helps with examination room appointments (if schedule and patient load allow).
6. Assists staff members as needed with call-backs, logging drugs, and other duties as assigned.
7. Keeps the treatment area clean and stocked.
8. Performs other duties as directed.

Requirements

1. HS diploma or educational equivalent.
2. At least one year of recent experience in veterinary practice or medical environment, with increasing responsibilities
3. Ability to properly restrain patients.
4. Knowledge of spelling and meaning of commonly used veterinary medical terminology and procedures.
5. Ability to complete assigned tasks in the time allotted without direct supervision.
6. Demonstrated ability to show empathy toward clients and treat animals with respect and compassion.
7. Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
8. Ability to stay on task and work energetically for entire shift.

Physical Demands

Including but not limited to the following:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Including but not limited to the following:

Amount of Time Spent on Task

The job requires the following lifting requirements and/or exerted force be performed on the job.

Amount of Time Spent on Lifting Amounts

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

WORK ENVIROMENT

Including but not limited to the following:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to hazards associated with aggressive patients; hazards associated with infected animals and controlled substances; exposure to unpleasant odors and noises; exposure to bites, scratches, and animal wastes; possible exposure to contagious diseases.

Follow federal and state animal health laws and regulations including OSHA and DEA.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.

Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.