Veterinary Assistant

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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. This includes 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 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.
• 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

CAPABILITIES AND EXPERIENCE (CAN DO)

• Ability to multi‑task – manages multiple tasks simultaneously, shifting attention without loss of accuracy or frustration.
• Communication skills – reads, writes, and speaks fluent English, using appropriate grammar, style and vocabulary; demonstrates strong written and verbal communication.
• Organizational ability – demonstrates a systematic approach, is very orderly and excels at turning chaos into order.
• Problem‑solving skills – strong ability to identify, analyze and solve problems, translating them into practical solutions.
• Client service skills – consistently ensures the team provides attentive, courteous and informative service.
• Intellectual ability – accurately follows instructions delivered orally, in writing or in diagram format.
• Mathematical ability – adds, subtracts, multiplies, divides, computes rates, ratios, percentages, and converts 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.
• Integrity – 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.
• 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 outlook, rebounds quickly from frustrations and maintains composure while dealing with stressful situations.

SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Ability to work at a computer for long periods of time. Ability to be confident around pets (dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, etc.). Client needs and work volume may often require more than 40 hours per week to complete essential duties of this job, including working weekends and evenings. Requires sufficient ambulatory skills in order to perform duties while at hospital; ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb as well as manipulate (lift, carry, move) up to 50 pounds. Requires good hand‑eye coordination, arm‑hand‑finger dexterity, visual acuity to use a keyboard and operate equipment. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Associate is routinely exposed to pets that may bite or scratch, and on occasion 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 the 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 that aids the efficiency of the practice.
• Must be at least 18 years old to perform duties involving radiography (x‑ray) and exposure to radioactive substances.
• One year related customer‑service experience preferred.

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 $15.99 - $20.44 Hourly . The pay range listed reflects a general hiring range for the area, with the specific rate determined based on the candidate’s experience, skill level, and education, and may vary depending on location or applicable minimum wage laws.

BENEFITS

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Covers essential medical, dental, and vision care.
• Generous Retirement Plans (401(k) and Roth): Company match to help build a secure financial future.
• Best‑in‑Class Student Debt Relief Program (for full‑time DVMs): Supports veterinary professionals with student debt.
• Paid Time Off and Holidays: Paid time off and holidays to recharge and celebrate personal days.
• Top‑Tier Mental Health and Well‑Being Resources: Access to free coaching and counseling sessions.
• Associate Life Insurance (company‑paid) & supplemental life insurance: Company‑paid life insurance with optional additional coverage.
• Company‑Paid Short‑ and Long‑Term Disability: Financial protection for temporary or long‑term disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Pre‑tax savings for health and dependent care expenses.
• Health Savings Account (HSA): Tax‑advantaged account for medical expenses.
• Paid Parental Leave: Paid leave for birth and adoption.
• Continuing Education Allowance (for eligible positions): Financial assistance for continuing education.
• Backup Child and Elder Care & Family Support Resources: Support for unexpected life moments.
• Fertility and Family Building Support: Support for fertility treatments and family‑building options.
• Digital Exercise Therapy: Program to stay active and healthy.
• Voluntary Protection Benefits: Coverage for hospital stays, critical illness, and accidents.
• Legal Plan: Affordable legal coverage for a wide range of needs.
• Identity Protection: Alerts for suspicious activity and support if information stolen.
• Commuter Benefits: Convenient and cost‑effective commuting options.
• Three Free Optimum Wellness Plans for Pets: Free wellness plans for pets.
• Exclusive Discounts: Savings on products and services.

Benefits eligibility is based on employment status. Full‑time associates are eligible for all benefit programs (Student Debt Program available for full‑time DVMs only); part‑time associates are eligible for those benefits with an asterisk (*).