Job Summary:
Veterinary Assistants help the Technicians, Doctors, and Receptionists in all duties of the hospital. Veterinary Assistants provide for the constant cleanliness of the hospital, as well as the patients, kennels, and runs. Veterinary assistants care for animals under the supervision of a Veterinarian or Veterinary Technician. Veterinary Assistants are responsible for the daily care of patients including walking, feeding, recording weight, and appetite, administering medication, and other information as directed. Veterinary Assistants are required to assist Doctors, Technicians, and Receptionists with restraint, performing lab work duties and other responsibilities according to individual abilities
and training.
Specific Duties:
1. Care for boarding and hospitalized animals, including cage cleaning, exercising, feeding, observation for signs of illness, laundry, bathing procedures, and keeping animals clean.
2. Feed and medicate each animal as prescribed by the attending doctor, and record waste, appetite, mentation, and signs of illness.
3. Release animals to their owners as directed by the Doctor or Technician. Ensure that every animal released has a catheter removed, medications, medical supplies ( e-collar, etc. ), and home care and is clean and presentable upon release. (Does
not discharge complicated surgeries with the owner).
4. Ensure that each animal has proper identification, including name tags, cage cards, and medical records in appropriate places.
5. General cleaning of public and employee areas of the hospital, general cleaning of walking areas and grass areas to maintain a clean, odor-free, and attractive environment. Housekeeping and laundry duties for all areas. Replace the mop water three times a day ( Morning, noon, and evening). Clean and sterilize surgical instruments.
6. Restrain patients for procedures performed by technicians or doctors.
7. Maintain a Professional cheerful and helpful attitude when interacting with with pet owners and team members.
8. Stock hospital supplies and lobby retail. Report when supplies are needed or running low. Keep the retail area looking clean and organized.
9. Assist Reception staff when necessary, carrying food for clients and retrieving food or other supplies for reception and clients.
10. Assist with lab duties, collecting samples, labeling, preparing samples, and running in-house blood work.
11. Perform some clerical duties. Including but not limited to answering phones, taking messages, and scheduling appointments
12. Obtaining an accurate and thorough medical history and loading patients into exam rooms.
Controls Over Work:
The Veterinary Assistant works under the supervision of the Technician Lead however, they will also receive direction from Veterinarians, Technicians, and Receptionists on a daily basis.
Education and Certification:
All employees are given the opportunity to complete their Veterinary Assistant Certification online. All fees including the first test fee for each section are covered by Midvalley Animal Clinic. If the employee does not pass the first test all additional testing fees will be at the employee's cost.
* Pay raises are based on skills learned Completion of the CVA is required for CVT tuition reimbursement
Minimum Qualifications:
Ability to:
- Learn cleaning and disinfecting methods as well as the use and care of cleaning materials and equipment.
- Appropriately handle and restrain animals
- Learn basic animal care
- Learn basic veterinary terminology and recognize abnormal conditions
- Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
Physical requirements:
The Veterinary Assistant will be required to stand for long periods, and perform moderately heavy physical labor. The Veterinary Assistant must be able to handle and restrain animals. The Veterinary Assistant must be able to lift 40 lbs unassisted.