Veterinary Assistant

Summary of Job Purpose and Function

The Veterinary Assistant supports the veterinarians and veterinary technicians in ensuring quality veterinary care for all pets, advocates for pets, educates clients on all aspects of pet health, and ensures a safe and effective hospital environment.

Essential Responsibilities and Tasks

• Live and exemplify the Five Principles of Mars, Inc. within self and team.
• Act as the extra eyes, ears, and hands for the veterinarian and veterinary technician to ensure the best quality pet care and to maximize the veterinarian's and veterinary technician’s productivity.
• Communicate with veterinarian, veterinary technicians and all other associates to maintain the flow of patients.
• Provide professional, efficient and exceptional service at all times. This includes performing or preparing procedures that do not require veterinarian or veterinary technician assistance, completing preparatory work for other procedures, ensuring that clients and pets are comfortable in the hospital, and monitoring hospitalized or surgical pets as allowed in the state practice acts.
• Educate clients about Optimum Wellness Plans, preventive care, pet health needs, hospital services and other issues.
• Obtain relevant information and history from clients and maintain proper and complete medical charts.
• Ensure the safety of pets, clients and associates by utilizing safe restraining techniques, following standard protocols, and maintaining clean, sterile and organized treatment areas, exam rooms and labs.
• Assist with surgery as applicable.
• Utilize technical skills to the fullest, within state practice acts and as outlined in the NAVTA guidelines for veterinary assistant skills and duties.
• Mentor other paraprofessionals in the hospital.
• Other job duties as assigned.

Hiring Qualifications and Competencies

• Leadership: Action Oriented, Customer Focus, Listening, Peer Relationships, Personal Learning, Drive for Results, Priority Setting.
• Functional: Ensure medical quality, Effective communication, Functional skills.
• Capabilities and Experience (Can Do):
  • Ability to multi-task.
  • Communication skills.
  • Organizational ability.
  • Problem solving skills.
  • Client service skills.
  • Intellectual ability.
  • Mathematical ability.
  • Computer skills.

Attitudes (Will Do)

• Initiative – shows willingness and aptitude to take appropriate steps in finding solutions to problems.
• Integrity – firmly adheres to the values and ethics of Banfield Pet Hospital.
• Cooperativeness – willing to work with others, collaborating and compromising where necessary.
• Flexibility – open to changing situations and opportunities and willing to perform all tasks assigned.
• Independence – able and willing to perform tasks and duties without supervision as appropriate.
• Tolerance for Stress / Resiliency – maintains a positive outlook, rebounds quickly from frustrations, and maintains composure and friendly demeanor while dealing with stressful situations.

Special Working Conditions

• Ability to work at a computer for long periods of time.
• Confidence around pets (dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, etc.).
• Client needs and work volume may often require more than 40 hours per week and include working weekends and evenings.
• Must have mental processes for reasoning, remembering, mathematics and language ability to perform the duties proficiently.
• Moderately high noise level in work environment.
• Requires sufficient ambulatory skills and ability to perform duties while at hospital.
• Ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, lift, carry, move up to 50 pounds.
• Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm-hand-finger dexterity, visual acuity to use a keyboard and operate equipment.
• Specific vision abilities: near vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, ability to adjust focus.
• Exposed to a variety of pets that may bite or scratch, and on occasion to anesthesia, radiation, biological hazards and medication/controlled substances.

Experience, Education and/or Training

• Certificate of completion from a NAVTA approved Veterinary Assistant program, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Must be able to perform all required skills of NAVTA approved veterinary assistant programs at a level to aid in the efficiency of the practice.
• Must be at least 18 years old to perform duties involving radiography (x‑ray) and exposure to radioactive substances.
• One year related experience required; customer service experience preferred.

Equal Opportunity Statement

WE ARE A DRUG-FREE, SMOKE-FREE, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Company Policy, Federal and State Laws Forbid Discrimination Because of Age, Color, Race, Religion, Sex, Disability, Sexual Orientation or National Origin.

Compensation and Benefits

The pay range for this role is $15.99 - $20.44 per hour, based on candidate experience, skill level and education.

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Retirement Plans (401(k) and Roth) with company match.
• Student Debt Relief Program for Full‑Time DVMs.
• Paid Time Off and Holidays.
• Top‑Tier Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources.
• Associate Life Insurance (company‑paid) & supplemental coverage option.
• Company‑Paid Short‑and Long‑Term Disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).
• Paid Parental Leave for birth and adoption.
• Continuing Education Allowance for eligible positions.
• Backup Child and Elder Care & Family Support Resources.
• Fertility and Family Building Support.
• Digital Exercise Therapy.
• Voluntary Protection Benefits.
• Legal Plan covering a wide range of legal needs.
• Identity Protection services.
• Commuter Benefits.
• Three Free Optimum Wellness Plans for Pets.
• Exclusive Discounts on products and services.