Veterinary Assistant

Position Title: Veterinary Assistant

Reports To: Hospital Manager or Technical Supervisor

Employee Status: Non-Exempt

Full-time position available, competitive pay, PTO, 401k, medical, dental, vision, and employee pet discount.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Veterinary Assistant supports the veterinarians, veterinary technicians and receptionists in all duties of the hospital. This includes care and cleaning of patients and facilities including completing patient treatments, assisting in surgery and all other animal care functions as well as other tasks involved in the operations of a veterinary hospital. The responsibilities vary with current needs of the hospital team, and the individual abilities demonstrated by the employee. Flexibility in working hours is required. This is an overview of the position and the duties listed do not encompass the entire position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Receive, handle/restrain and treat patients with skill, compassion and care including: accurately recording medical observations and accurately carrying out treatments or assigned duties. 
• Ability to clean patients and sanitize hospital as assigned to ensure a safe, sanitary environment for the patients and team. 
• Accurately administer medications under the supervision of a doctor. 
• Accurately and promptly input data into computer software system. 
• Ability to observe animal’s demeanor and activity for general physical condition, obvious signs of illness, disease and discomfort. 
• Regular attendance without tardiness are an essential function in order to fulfill the requirements of this position. 
• Strong communication and client service skills. Considerable tact and diplomacy are required. Ability to work with clients and patients in a professional, friendly, hospitable manner. 
• Work well with all team members and ensure that your actions support the hospital, the doctors, and the practice philosophy. 
• Perform general physical activities that require bending, standing, stooping, squatting, moving from room to room, talking, and listening; may be required to walk or stand for long periods of time; will use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel; will reach with hands and arms. 
• Frequently lift, carry and handle dogs weighing 50 lbs.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Technical: 65%

• Patient Care.
• Ensure a comfortable and sanitary environment for all patients under treatment.
• Responsible for care of hospitalized patients and those being seen by a doctor including but not limited to kennel upkeep, patient exercise, feeding, medicating, shaving, and all assigned patient care-related tasks.
• Make certain the entire hospital, including treatment, surgery, kennels, runs, and entry is kept extremely clean throughout the day (so that a client could come back and see their pet without any notice). This includes your own clothing and appearance. Neutral colors for hospital scrubs like navy blue/gray are preferred.
• Ensure all animals are identified including entry on hospital day sheet, cage card, and ID collar.
• Properly and safely restrain patients, reliably and with compassion to prepare for procedures performed by technicians and/or doctors. Is aware of patient comfort needs.
• Observe patients throughout the day for signs of discomfort, illness, parasites and disease control, assessment of change in patient status. Report any abnormalities or concerns to the veterinarian in charge or day admission technician.
• Advise the Medical Director or Technical Supervisor of any conditions that are unsafe, including unrecognized hazards or infractions of safety rules.
• Gather patient history from client. Enter findings in the computer system and keep records up to date. This includes client records with charges, medical history, vaccine status, medications administered, laboratory reports, etc.
• Maintain all log books (e.g., controlled substance logs).
• Assist with nail trimming, ear cleaning, expressing anal glands, wound cleaning, and dipping procedures.
• Draw and process blood samples. Collect stool and urine samples. Prepare lab request forms.
• Correctly administer medication which the doctor has prescribed.
• Prep patients for surgery, assist when needed. Be willing and able to assist the doctor with certain surgical procedures.
• Assist with the operation of the anesthesia machine and other applicable equipment. Understand how to maintain and use the inhalation anesthetic machines. Monitor anesthesia under direct doctor supervision. Familiarity with procedures and antidotes for an anesthetic emergency.
• Assist in radiology; position animals properly to the radiographs. Practice all safety regulations in regard to radiology.
• Clean and autoclave surgical instruments. Thoroughly clean the autoclave per hospital schedule. Clean and prepare surgical instruments and packs.
• Understand how to set up and use a dental prophylaxis unit. Know the general uses of our instrumentation for endodontic, exodontic, etc. Ability to take dental radiographs if necessary.
• Create prescription labels, fill prescriptions, and dispense medications as directed by a doctor. Control inventory and assist in ordering medications and supplies. Maintain proper storage and safekeeping of drugs as directed by a doctor.
• Follow OSHA regulations.

Hospital Maintenance: 25%

• Clean exam rooms after each visit and prepare for the next client and patient. Ensure supplies are always available and adequately stocked in exam rooms and treatment rooms.
• Prepare and sanitize the surgery suite, treatment area, isolation ward, and all kennels used by patients here for treatment.
• Properly maintain equipment according to the maintenance schedule.

Inventory:

• Unpack deliveries, reconcile against packing slip, restock supplies.
• Alert day admission technician of special order medications' arrival so client may be contacted.
• Restock shelves and drawers in exam rooms and treatment area with necessary supplies.
• Assist with maintaining proper levels of drugs, medical supplies, cleaning, and office supplies.

Client Service: 10% 

• Function as a liaison between the doctor and client during appointments.
• Assist CSRs with outpatients and hospitalized patients from admission to discharge with clerical and administrative work.
• Communicate with pet owners using a professional, cheerful, and helpful attitude, using knowledge of vaccines, dental health, preventative health care recommendations to accurately answer questions and relay doctor’s or technician’s information. 
• Demonstrate excellent relations with clients/pets in waiting and/or exam rooms.
• Assist receptionists with client/patient checking in and checking out of hospital. 
• Ensure that clients and pets feel welcome and comfortable. 
• Service as “Ambassadors” of creating and maintaining goodwill for the hospital. 
• Build rapport with clients and pets. 
• Greet clients and pets by name. 
• Exceed the client’s expectations of service. 
• If there is a delay, keep clients informed of expected waiting time. 
• Provide support to reception staff in appointment scheduling. 
• Ability to effectively communicate and educate clients on general animal husbandry and answer non-medical questions: 
• General dietary requirements and feeding schedules.
• Vaccines. 
• Basic dietary recommendations. 
• Dental care instructions. 
• Routine laboratory tests, i.e., fecals, heartworm, leukemia, etc. 
• Housebreaking techniques. 
• General flea and tick control. 

REQUIRED EDUCATION, SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE:

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred but not required.
• Formal or on-the-job training as a veterinary assistant.
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks as well as to accept direction on given assignments.
• Exhibit strong problem-solving and an organized approach to the position.
• Ability to remain calm in the face of various types of stressful situations, not allowing emotions to overwhelm attitude and/or performance.
• Ability to foster a positive work environment for colleagues and clients.
• Ability to effectively communicate in English.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 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 ENVIRONMENT:

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. 

Revive Veterinary Care is a new independently owned small animal practice set to start on September 1st 2025.