Veterinary Assistant

Position Purpose The purpose of this position inherently involves providing excellent medical care to our Vetco Total Care full-service hospital patients and phenomenal customer care to their owners. The Veterinary Assistant represents the mission and values to all clients. Our Veterinary Assistants set the tone for the technical and customer support in the hospital, and are responsible, like all team members, for fostering cohesion and motivation within the practice. Core Responsibilities Greet clients and patients arriving for appointments and escort them into an exam room, obtain weight and vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations) and record the electronic medical record. Veterinary Assistants collect thorough patient histories and document the patient visit in the EMRs. Assist doctors with appointments (routine and emergency), surgery, dentistry, and euthanasia, under supervision from the veterinarian credentialed veterinary technician, HOM and HLOD. Perform patient restraint, obtain and process laboratory samples, handle and dispense medications at the direction of the veterinarian and help maintain the electronic medical record. Schedule appointments, provide client education, relay test results to doctor and clients, and maintain and update client/patient records. Help prepare patients for surgical and dental procedures and assist doctor and/or veterinary technician in anesthetizing patients. Under supervision of the veterinarian and/or veterinary technician, assistants maintain patients safely under anesthesia while monitoring vital parameters, help monitor patients during recovery and prepare them for hospital discharge or transfer to an overnight care facility. Under supervision of the veterinarian and/or veterinary technician, perform in-hospital treatments for sick patients including giving injectable and oral medications as well as intravenous fluid therapy; keep patients clean, watered, and fed (when indicated) and safely walk canine patients when necessary for elimination. Under direction of the HOM/HLOD, assist in the training of new staff members and general dissemination of knowledge as required. Keep hospital environment neat and clean; perform regular cleaning of the environment based on necessity as well as on a pre-determined maintenance schedule. Other Duties and Responsibilities Perform additional duties as assigned. Provide backup phone and front desk support as needed. Nature of Supervision In all activities related to the care of individual patients, the incumbent takes direct supervision from the veterinarians as well as the Veterinary Technician. For overall supervision, the incumbent takes direction from the HOM/HLOD or from the supervising technician for the shift. Planning and Problem Solving Like all team members, the Veterinary Assistant plays a crucial role in ensuring that day-to-day operation of the hospital is efficient and provides an optimal experience for our patients and clients. Impact This position will impact the organization by contributing to the growth of a productive practice while focusing on a high-quality standard of care. It is critical to ensuring a cohesive, well-trained, and motivated technical team, achieving an optimal environment that supports employee retention, patient well-being, and customer satisfaction. Supervisory Responsibility This position has no immediate supervisory duties. Education / Experience Preferred to have at least 1 year of prior experience working in a veterinary practice or sufficient animal care experience to ensure excellent performance of the listed skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Compassionate and sympathetic, able to maintain a professional attitude during emotional and stressful situations. Telephone and computer skills. Team player willing to learn new techniques and treatments, offer creative ideas, and accept change. Work Environment The majority of job duties are conducted in the Veterinary Hospital. Position requires bending, kneeling, lifting (up to 30 pounds when necessary), and standing for long periods of time. A large amount of this role’s time will be spent in direct contact with clients and their pets. Contacts This position will regularly communicate with clients, veterinary specialists, and companies that provide products and/or services used by the practice. Salary Range $15.50 – $25.00 per hour. Benefits Hourly or Salary Range will be reflected above. For a more detailed overview of Petco Total Rewards, including health and financial benefits, 401(k), incentives, and PTO, see Equal Employment Opportunity Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification. #J-18808-Ljbffr