Veterinary Assistant

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. Responsibilities 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 other associates to maintain the flow of patients. Provide professional, efficient and exceptional service at all times, including 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 by 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. Perform other job duties as assigned. The Five Principles Quality – The consumer is our boss, quality is our work and value for money is our goal. Responsibility – As individuals, we demand total responsibility from ourselves; as associates, we support the responsibility of others. Mutuality – A mutual benefit is a shared benefit; a shared benefit will endure. Efficiency – We use resources to the full, waste nothing and do only what we can do best. Freedom – We need freedom to shape our future; we need profit to remain free. Hiring Qualifications & Competencies Leadership – Action Oriented, Customer Focus, Listening, Peer Relationships, Personal Learning Functional – Ensure medical quality, Effective communication, Drive for results, Priority Setting Capabilities and Experience – 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 find solutions, presents options to enhance processes. Integrity – adheres to Banfield values and ethics, demonstrates honesty, discretion and judgment. Cooperativeness – works with others, collaborates, compromises, shares information. Flexibility – open to changing situations and performs all assigned tasks. Independence – performs tasks without supervision as appropriate. Tolerance for Stress – maintains positive outlook, recovers from frustrations, remains calm in stressful situations. Special Working Conditions Ability to work at a computer for long periods. Comfortable around pets of various species. May require more than 40 hours per week and working weekends and evenings. Requires mental processes for reasoning, remembering, mathematics and language ability. Noise level moderately high. Requires ambulatory skills; standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, climbing and lifting up to 50lb. Requires good hand‑eye coordination, finger dexterity and visual acuity. Exposure 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 education, training and experience. High School Diploma or equivalent preferred. Must be able to perform all required skills at NAVTA approved veterinary assistant level. Minimum of 18years for duties involving radiography and radioactive substances. One year related experience, customer‑service 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. Pay Range The pay range for this role is $15.19 – $19.41 hourly, based on experience, skill level and education, and may vary by location or applicable minimum wage laws. Benefits Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance; 401(k) and Roth retirement plans with company match; Student Debt Relief Program (full‑time DVMs); Paid Time Off and Holidays; Mental Health and Well‑being resources; Associate Life Insurance (company‑paid); Supplemental Life Insurance; Short‑ and Long‑Term Disability (company‑paid); Flexible Spending Account; Health Savings Account; Paid Parental Leave (birth and adoption); Continuing Education Allowance (eligible positions); Backup Child and Elder Care and Family Support Resources; Fertility and Family Building Support; Digital Exercise Therapy; Voluntary Protection Benefits; Legal Plan; Identity Protection; Commuter Benefits; Three free Optimum Wellness Plans for pets; Exclusive Discounts. #J-18808-Ljbffr