Veterinary Assistant

Overview

Job title:

Veterinary Assistant. 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.

• 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 duties as assigned.

• Quality
• Responsibility
• Mutuality
• Efficiency
• Freedom

• 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 in which to aid in 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 experience required with customer service preferred.

• CAN DO:
  Ability to multi-task; manage multiple tasks and shift attention under distracting conditions without loss of accuracy.
• CAN DO:
  Communication skills in English; strong written and verbal abilities.
• CAN DO:
  Organizational ability; systematic approach and ability to create order.
• CAN DO:
  Problem solving; translate problems into practical solutions.
• CAN DO:
  Client service; provide attentive, courteous and informative service.
• CAN DO:
  Intellectual ability; follow instructions and provide directions.
• CAN DO:
  Mathematical ability; basic arithmetic and unit conversion.
• CAN DO:
  Computer skills; experience with medical software and MS Office.

• Initiative; take appropriate steps to find solutions and improve processes.
• Integrity; adhere to values and ethics.
• Cooperativeness; work with others and share information.
• Flexibility; adapt to changing situations and tasks.
• Independence; perform tasks with minimal supervision as appropriate.
• Resiliency; maintain a positive attitude under stress.

• Long periods of computer use.
• Comfort around pets (dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, etc.).
• May require more than 40 hours per week including weekends and evenings.
• Noise level is moderately high; must have ambulatory ability and the ability to stand, walk, kneel, crouch, and climb; ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Exposure to pets that may bite or scratch, and potential exposure to anesthesia, radiation, biological hazards and medications/substances.

• NAVTA-approved Veterinary Assistant program or equivalent.
• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• One year related experience; customer service experience preferred.

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