POSITION SUMMARY:  Veterinary Assistants work closely with our veterinarians and assist them throughout the day with patients and cases. Veterinary Assistants help educate clients on responsible pet care. Veterinary Assistants ensure each pet receives all service and treatment recommendations accurately and in an efficient and timely manner.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

PROVIDE CLIENT SERVICE

• Welcome clients and patients to the practice and provide for their comfort while they are in the practice. This includes greeting clients warmly, using their name and the pet’s name, showing them to a clean exam room, etc.
• Communicate to clients any updates on patient status.
• Handle emergency situations, remaining calm while showing empathy and compassion.
• Determine the nature of the injury or illness and attempt to reassure distressed pet owner.
• Reassure clients of the quality of care & put their fears to rest.
• Respect client’s decisions for treatment regardless of personal opinions.
• Facilitate communication between clients and the hospital team caring for the pet and direct questions to the appropriate people.
• Educate clients on responsible pet care.
• Enter and verify all fees for patients seen throughout the day.
• Enter information into medical records thoroughly.
• Respond to medical questions received via the triage phone.
• Call owners to follow up on patients that have been dismissed from the hospital.
• Respond to client questions, whether via phone or in person.
• Assist with answering phones, checking clients in and out, and processing payments as needed.
• Assist in exam rooms by getting the history of the patient as well as basic information including temperature, pulse, respiration rate, weight, and lab samples; prepare vaccinations as needed.
• Ensure pets are clean and comfortable.
• Provide preventative care and continued care even after dismissal.
• Be affectionate with pets.
• Assist with walk-in and triage patients as well as tech-to-do items.
• Triage patients as soon as possible.
• Verify patient records and information to ensure accuracy.
• Ensure boarder meds are administered accurately and in a timely manner.
• Assist veterinarian with humane euthanasia.
• Provide treatments to patients as instructed by a veterinarian or through e-Care.
• Review orders and treatments to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Fill prescriptions as directed.
• Provide proper restraint for veterinarian while administering vaccines, obtaining samples, administering meds, etc.
• Assist veterinarian before, during, and after surgical procedures.
• Assist with and/or take radiographs as needed.
• Run lab work as required.
• Use lab equipment properly.
• Draw blood proficiently and safely.
• Package blood work properly.
• Properly handle and store samples.
• Be familiar with different lab profiles, practice techniques, required equipment.
• Maintain clean work areas, including exam rooms, treatment tables, and ICU.
• Put away stock as needed; stock exam rooms, treatment room, and ICU.
• Update log books.
• Wrap surgery packs, autoclave instruments.
• Perform general hospital maintenance as requested. Report any maintenance issues to the floor leader/manager.
• Follow established security protocols, including locking and unlocking gates to ensure the safety and security of patients, team members, and the facility.
• Monitor appointment schedule to effectively plan daily workload. Facilitate veterinarian in and out of room in a timely manner.
• Facilitate communication between client and veterinarian.
• Communicate effectively with veterinarians and other staff throughout the day.
• Assist in answering medical questions.
• Assist veterinarian by doing routine call backs and fielding calls from clients throughout the day.
• Perform all necessary lab work involved in assisting the veterinarian to diagnose or treat a patient (i.e. CBC, urinalysis, fecals, etc.)
• Assist veterinarians with all paperwork needed for any hospitalized patients.
• Assist veterinarians with any other procedures or tasks as needed.
• Assist other treatment team members as needed.
• Facilitate distribution of veterinarians’ senior wellness letters.

PROVIDE PATIENT CARE

• Assist in exam rooms by getting the history of the patient as well as basic information including temperature, pulse, respiration rate, weight, and lab samples; prepare vaccinations as needed.
• Ensure pets are clean and comfortable.
• Provide preventative care and continued care even after dismissal.
• Be affectionate with pets.
• Assist with walk-in and triage patients as well as tech-to-do items.
• Triage patients as soon as possible.
• Verify patient records and information to ensure accuracy.
• Ensure boarder meds are administered accurately and in a timely manner.
• Assist veterinarian with humane euthanasia.
• Provide treatments to patients as instructed by a veterinarian or through e-Care.
• Review orders and treatments to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Fill prescriptions as directed.
• Provide proper restraint for veterinarian while administering vaccines, obtaining samples, administering meds, etc. 
• Assist veterinarian before, during, and after surgical procedures.

PERFORM DIAGNOSTICS

• Assist with and/or take radiographs as needed.
• Run lab work as required.
• Use lab equipment properly.
• Draw blood proficiently and safely.
• Package blood work properly.
• Properly handle and store samples.
• Be familiar with different lab profiles, practice techniques, required equipment.

MAINTAIN ICU/TREATMENT AREAS

• Maintain clean work areas, including exam rooms, treatment tables, and ICU.
• Put away stock as needed; stock exam rooms, treatment room, and ICU.
• Update log books.
• Wrap surgery packs, autoclave instruments.
• Perform general hospital maintenance as requested. Report any maintenance issues to the floor leader/manager. 
• Follow established security protocols, including locking and unlocking gates to ensure the safety and security of patients, team members, and the facility

SUPPORT DVMS & TEAM MEMBERS

• Monitor appointment schedule to effectively plan daily workload. Facilitate veterinarian in and out of room in a timely manner.
• Facilitate communication between client and veterinarian.
• Communicate effectively with veterinarians and other staff throughout the day.
• Assist in answering medical questions. 
• Assist veterinarian by doing routine call backs and fielding calls from clients throughout the day.
• Perform all necessary lab work involved in assisting the veterinarian to diagnose or treat a patient (i.e. CBC, urinalysis, fecals, etc.)
• Assist veterinarians with all paperwork needed for any hospitalized patients.
• Assist veterinarians with any other procedures or tasks as needed.
• Assist other treatment team members as needed.
• Facilitate distribution of veterinarians’ senior wellness letters.

Perform any additional tasks as needed by the Treatment Manager or any other member of the management team.

*Advanced tasks and skills will be assigned as training and job knowledge progress 

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS:  Performance will be evaluated at the end of the initial 90 day probationary period. Performance will also be assessed after the completion of six months of employment as well as annually from the date of hire. Performance will be evaluated based upon the following:  support of AMH’s mission, vision, and values; attendance; punctuality; dependability; overall job performance; client and patient care; teamwork; and progress of job knowledge.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Veterinary Assistants must be able to be on their feet for long periods of time. Work often exposes Veterinary Assistants to extreme weather conditions, slippery floors, unpleasant odors, and excessive noises. May be exposed to bites, scratches, aggressive pets, fleas and ticks, parasites and animal waste; may also be exposed to hazardous chemicals, allergens, contagious diseases and blood borne pathogens

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Veterinary Assistants must be capable of handling small and large animals and to control pets without risk of harm to themselves, other employees, clients, or the pet. Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds. Work often requires repeated bending, lifting, reaching, squatting and standing and sitting for long periods of time as well as general ergonomic risks.

TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, AND JOB AIDS:  Veterinary Assistants must gain knowledge of and potentially use the following: ECG, blood pressure instrument, anesthesia machines, x-ray equipment, Life Window, fluid pump, dental equipment, Autoclave, suction machines, laser, SPO₂ monitor, defibrillator, Idexx lab equipment, computer, general office equipment.

MINIMUM POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

• EDUCATION:  High School Diploma or GED equivalent required. Associate or Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required.
• EXPERIENCE:  Prior experience with pets is preferred but not required. 
• KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
  • Considerable tact and diplomacy is required for personal interactions with visitors, other staff members, and clients affected by a variety of issues.
  • Written communication skills and knowledge of the spelling and meaning of commonly used terminology.
  • Basic computer skills required.
  • Ability to read pet body language and use in controlling/handling individual animal temperament. 
  • Have ability to gain animal confidence when restraining them for transport, boarding, or treatment.
  • Ability to read, write, count; basic mathematical ability.
  • Manage stress in emergency/ demanding situations.
  • Be able to work in an organized manner.
  • Have good problem solving skills.
  • Ability to work on a team.
  • Work energetically for the entire assigned shift, sometimes exceeding 10 hours per day.
  • Maintain confidentiality of information pertaining to patients, clients, hospital business, and team members.
  • Safely and competently operate equipment pertinent to carrying out duties, including but not limited to laboratory equipment, anesthesia, and dental equipment, and x-ray equipment.
  • Respond and quickly react to frequent auditory signals, warnings, or communication from other team members, animals or medical equipment.
• CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES:  Certificate in Veterinary Assisting a plus but not required.

AVAILABILITY NEEDS:  Veterinary Assistants must be available between 7:00 am-11:00pm Sunday through Saturday. Overnight shifts or positions may also be required or needed.  Full time and part time position availability requirements may vary.

REPORTS TO:  Department Manager

POSITIONS SUPERVISED: None

BACKGROUND CHECKS:  EMPLOYMENT IN THIS POSITION IS CONTINGENT UPON SUCCESSFULLY PASSING A BACKGROUND AND CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK.

_DRUG TESTS:  ANIMAL MEDICAL HOSPITAL IS A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE. ALL POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES MUST SUBMIT AND PASS A PRE-PLACEMENT DRUG TEST. _