Veterinary Assistant

Job Description

Position Title: Veterinary Assistant


Job Type: Non-Exempt


Schedule: Varies based on hospital


Hourly Rate: Varies based on hospital and experience


Are you looking for an environment to expand your veterinary nursing skills while working with a supportive team of RVT's, Veterinary Assistants and Doctors? Adobe is unlike any other hospital for many reasons, and one of them is our Open Hospital policy. Our Open Hospital allows our clients to stay with their pet throughout their visit. This policy also creates a unique learning experience that will not only allow you to gain knowledge and experience with your technician skills but also in client interaction and education.


Our hospital is very fast paced! We see a mix of scheduled appointments like wellness and general practice visits as well as elective soft tissue surgeries and the patients that need dental procedures. Outpatient Team Members are responsible for all outpatient care and procedures. You will manage all scheduled technician, wellness and urgent care appointments and any care associated with them. This position requires technician experience.


This position is perfect for someone who is looking to gain experience in all aspects of veterinary medicine. This often requires multi-tasking and an excellent critical thinking ability. The technician must be a detail-oriented person who can make good decisions, respond quickly and calmly to crises and always maintain high standards of patient care. Technicians need to communicate clearly with the veterinarians and other practice personnel as well as with clients to ensure that patients receive the care that they need. Technicians should enjoy working with people and animals.


This position requires at least working one weekend shift (Saturday or Sundays) per week and working two holiday shifts every year.


Veterinary Nursing Responsibilities

• Able to help direct the workflow and accurately and efficiently provide advice to owners in person or over the phone, relay phone messages to doctors and clients of scheduled appointments, technician appointments, urgent care appointments, and any patient care needed for patients

• Able to perform veterinary technical skills efficiently, accurately, and with little supervision

• Assess patient care status, review patient plan, perform treatments according to the veterinarian's orders and document as necessary

• Interact with clients and patients, take an efficient and accurate history, and obtain patient vitals, explain treatments, procedures, medications, and disease processes

• Give IM, IV, and SQ injections, ability to obtain blood samples from multiple sites

• Place IV catheter

• Understanding of vital parameters (HR, RR, MM/CRT), ability to accurately obtain them, and knowledge of what abnormalities need to be reported to the doctor

• Understand common disease processes and ability to use appropriate medical terminology

• Familiarity with common medications and their applications, standard doses, and contraindications, accurately calculate dosages, administer medications

• Monitor, assess, and treat critical care patients as well as updating doctor and client on patient status and be able to place IV catheters

• Perform radiographs and evaluate for proper positioning and exposure. Adhere to all safety standards

• Monitor sedated or anesthetized patient

• Know how to use common diagnostic equipment and perform in house lab tests including blood smears, PCV/TP, BG, skin/ear cytology including ELISA snap tests

• Maintain cleanliness and organization through the department including rooms, treatment area, cages and runs

Learning & Leadership

• Assist in training of new technicians as needed

• Provide staff leadership for tasks in a professional and personable way.

• Promote a positive attitude and demonstrate a commitment to the mission/vision

• Willingness to train and share your skills and knowledge

• A thirst for knowledge obtained formally and informally

• Strong work ethic, flexible and demonstrates high integrity

• Initiative: Must have the ability to assess and initiate action to resolve or improve a situation independently.

• Make suggestions for how to improve practice protocols

Essential Qualifications

• Offer genuine client service and maintain a professional, courteous, and helpful attitude

• Strong dedication and commitment to quality care

• Demonstrate excellent communication skills (written and oral) and incredible attention to detail

• Must be able to make independent thoughtful decisions and solve complex problems

• Ability to maintain excellent teamwork and communication skills under stressful situations working toward a common goal of helping patients and clients

• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment

• A willingness and ability to proactively jump in wherever help is needed and a drive to explore innovative ideas to improve things for the team, clients, and patients

• High school diploma or equivalent and 18 years of age or older

• Must be able to lift or move 40lbs independently

• Ability to walk, stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, and feel using hands and arms on a regular and consistent basis, sitting, and standing for extended periods of time.

• Must be available to work weekends and holidays as needed

• Open to working at Los Altos Animal Hospital when needed

• Background check when hired

Cover letters are encouraged but not required. If you are considering including a cover letter, we would love to get to know who you are and what you are looking for. Why are you interested in working for Adobe Animal Hospital as a Veterinary Technician, what skills and abilities make you an ideal applicant for this position and what do you hope to contribute to our medical department and Adobe Animal Hospital as a whole?


Base Wage: $24- $36 dependent on experience


Shifts: Day


Position Location: Los Gatos home base; travel to Los Altos Hospital when needed


Wages & Differentials

• Base wages are determined by what skills you know on the Adobe competency skills list.

• During the interview process we will ask you to review our competency list and complete a self-evaluation so we may assess your current Veterinary Technician skill level.

• Differentials- additional pay that can be added onto your base wage for specific skills, projects, or shifts.

• 40-Hour Work Week- $2.25/hour

• Weekend- $3/hour

Benefits

• Health benefits, dental, vision & more!

• Paid sick, vacation & holiday time

• 401k benefits

• Discounted Veterinary services

• Employee Assistance Program

• Continuing education for professional development

It is the policy of Adobe Animal Hospitals to afford equal opportunities for all qualified persons, regardless of their actual or perceived: race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status (including registered domestic partnership status), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), gender (including gender identity and expression), age (40 and over), sexual orientation, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, and any other consideration protected by federal, state, or local law (sometimes referred to, collectively, as "protected characteristics").


National Veterinary Associates is a leading global pet care organization united in the love of animals and the people who love them.

At NVA, we're on a mission to improve the lives of pets and the people who love them. That starts by empowering our care teams. We nurture their growth with resources to practice medicine their way. Our network of 1,000 hospitals connects them to a community of professionals who share their passion so they can learn and grow together. Our national presence enables us to deliver technology and innovations that simplify work and expand care for all. At NVA, we're committed to your professional growth. We support your entire career journey, offering opportunities ranging from mentorship to ownership.

At National Veterinary Associates, we want to make sure your experience connecting with us is seamless and straightforward. Here's what to expect when interacting with us:

- We'll always reach out via verified LinkedIn profiles or emails ending in @nva.com


- We may also contact you via text message from an identified NVA representative for recruiting-related communication


- All job opportunities and applications are hosted on our official careers site: careers.nva.com


- There is no cost or confidential information required to apply or be considered for a position

If you have any doubts about a communication, feel free to visit our careers page to verify authenticity or email us at View email address on click.appcast.io. Thank you for exploring opportunities at NVA!

NVA offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, a 401k with employer match, and paid time off (including sick time) for all eligible employees. The team can provide more information about compensation and benefits for your specific location during the process. For positions based in Colorado, NVA provides eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave and public health emergency leave in accordance with the requirements of Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.

NVA 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, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.