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. Perform or prepare procedures that do not require veterinarian or veterinary technician assistance, complete preparatory work for other procedures, ensure that clients and pets are comfortable in the hospital, and monitor 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. Perform other job duties as assigned. COMPETENCIES Leadership – Drive for results. Action Oriented – Functional skills priority setting. Customer Focus – Listening, peer relationships, personal learning, functional. Ensure medical quality Effective communication – Ensure medical quality and effective communication. CAPABILITIES AND EXPERIENCE (CAN DO) Multi-task – manages multiple tasks at one time; quickly and accurately shifts attention among tasks under distracting conditions without loss of accuracy. Communication skills – reads, writes and speaks fluent English, using appropriate grammar, style and vocabulary; demonstrates exceptionally strong written and verbal communication skills. Organizational ability – demonstrates systematic approach, orderly, excels at cutting through confusion and turning chaos into order. Problem solving skills – strong ability to identify, analyze and solve problems; translates problems into practical solutions. Client service skills – consistently ensures the team provides the client with attentive, courteous and informative service; gains personal satisfaction from delivering great service. Intellectual ability – accurately and consistently follows instructions delivered in oral, written or diagram format; can provide directions. Mathematical ability – add, subtract, multiply and divide, compute rate, ratio and percent; convert units of measurement. Computer skills – comfortably and confidently uses a computer and specialized medical software, as well as Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel. ATTITUDES (WILL DO) Initiative – shows willingness and aptitude to find solutions to problems; presents options and ideas to enhance current processes or procedures. Integrity – firmly adheres to the values and ethics of Banfield Pet Hospital; exhibits honesty, discretion, and sound judgment. Cooperativeness – willing to work with others, collaborating and compromising where necessary; promptly share relevant information. 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 “can do” outlook, rebounds quickly from frustrations and unpleasantness, 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, may require more than 40 hours per week, work weekends and evenings. Must have mental processes for reasoning, remembering, mathematics and language ability (reading, writing, speaking English) to perform duties proficiently. Noise level is moderately high. Requires sufficient ambulatory skills to perform duties while at hospital, including standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, climbing, and manipulating (lifting, carrying, moving) up to 50 pounds. Requires good hand‑eye coordination, arm‑hand‑finger dexterity to grasp, visual acuity to use keyboard and operate equipment. Specific vision abilities: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, adjust focus. Exposure to various pets that may bite or scratch; occasional 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 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 for duties involving radiography (x‑ray) and exposure to radioactive substances. One year related experience required with customer service preferred. DISCRIMINATION & EEO STATEMENTS 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 RANGES $15.99 - $20.44 hourly (range may vary depending on location or applicable minimum wage laws). BENEFITS Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance. Generous Retirement Plans (401(k) and Roth) with company match. Best-in-Class Student Debt Relief Program for full‑time DVMs. Paid Time Off and Holidays. Top‑Tier Mental Health and Well‑Being Resources. Associate Life Insurance (company‑paid) and supplemental options. Company‑Paid Short‑ and Long‑Term Disability. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). Health Savings Account (HSA). Paid Parental Leave. Continuing Education Allowance (eligible positions). Backup Child and Elder Care & 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