Veterinary Assistant

Overview

Create a healthier, brighter future for pets, pet parents and people. If you want to make a real difference, explore an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self, and nurture your wellbeing — Petco is the place for you. Our core values guide us to improve lives by doing what’s right for pets, people and our planet.

• We love all pets like our own
• We’re the future of the pet industry
• We’re here to improve lives
• We drive outstanding results together
• We’re welcome as we are

Petco is a category-defining health and wellness company focused on improving the lives of pets, pet parents and Petco partners. We are 29,000 strong and operate 1,500+ pet care centers in the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, including 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics and eight distribution centers. We’re focused on purpose-driven work, and strongly believe what’s good for pets, people and our planet is good for Petco.

The purpose of this position is to provide excellent medical care to Vetco Total Care full-service hospital patients and exceptional customer care to their owners. The Veterinary Assistant represents the mission and values to all clients. The Veterinary Assistant sets the tone for the technical and customer support in the hospital and helps foster cohesion and motivation within the practice.

All hospital staff perform duties in a way that creates an environment in which:

• The patient’s needs always come first.
• Every team member understands they have the power to create an exceptional customer experience.
• Contentious issues are dealt with and resolved as they occur, when possible.
• Exceptional teamwork and commitment to shared goals benefit the entire organization.

The incumbent must be able to perform all the following duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Greet clients and patients arriving for appointments, escort them to an exam room, obtain weight and vital signs, and record the electronic medical record. Veterinary Assistants will collect patient histories and document the visit in the EMR.
• Assist doctors with appointments (routine and emergency), surgery, dentistry, and euthanasia, under supervision from the veterinarian, credentialed veterinary technician, HOM and HLOD.
• Perform patient restraint, obtain and process laboratory samples, handle and dispense medications as directed by the veterinarian, and help maintain the EMR.
• Schedule appointments, provide client education, relay test results to doctor and clients, and maintain/update client/patient records.
• Prepare patients for surgical and dental procedures and assist the doctor and/or veterinary technician in anesthetizing patients. Under supervision, maintain patients under anesthesia, monitor vital parameters, assist in recovery, and prepare for discharge or transfer to an overnight facility.
• Under supervision, perform in-hospital treatments for sick patients including administering injectable and oral medications, intravenous fluid therapy, keeping patients clean, watered and fed as directed, and walking canine patients for elimination when needed.
• Assist in training of new staff and the general dissemination of knowledge as required under the direction of the HOM/HLOD.
• Keep the hospital environment neat and clean; perform regular cleaning based on necessity and a pre-determined maintenance schedule.

• Perform additional duties as assigned
• Provide backup phone and front desk support as needed

In all patient care activities, the incumbent takes direct supervision from the veterinarians and the Veterinary Technician. For overall supervision, direction is from the HOM/HLOD or the supervising technician for the shift.

Like all team members, the Veterinary Assistant plays a crucial role in ensuring day-to-day hospital operations are efficient and provide an optimal experience for patients and clients.

This position contributes to the growth of a productive practice and focuses on a high-quality standard of care. It supports a cohesive, well-trained, and motivated…