Veterinary Assistant

Overview

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E S S E N T I A L R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S A N D T A S K S

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 veterinarians, 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 NAVTA guidelines for veterinary assistant skills and duties.
• Mentor other paraprofessionals in the hospital.
• Other job duties as assigned.

• Ability to multi-task – Manages multiple tasks at one time; quickly and accurately shifts attention among multiple tasks under distracting conditions without loss of accuracy or appearance of frustration.
• Communication skills – Reads, writes and speaks fluent English, using appropriate grammar, style and vocabulary; demonstrates strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Organizational ability – Demonstrates a systematic approach to carry out assignments; is very orderly and excels at turning confusion into order.
• Problem solving – Identifies, analyzes and solves problems and translates problems into practical solutions.
• Client service – Delivers attentive, courteous and informative service; gains and shows personal satisfaction from delivering great service.
• Intellectual ability – Follows instructions delivered in oral, written or diagram format and can provide directions.
• Mathematical ability – Performs basic arithmetic, rate, ratio and percent calculations; can convert units of measurement.
• Computer skills – Proficient with a computer and medical software, and Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel.
• Attitudes (Will Do) – Initiative, Integrity, Cooperativeness, Flexibility, Independence, and Resilience under stress.

• Ability to work at a computer for long periods.
• Comfort around various animals (dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, etc.).
• May require more than 40 hours per week and include weekends and evenings.
• Must have mental processes for reasoning, remembering, mathematics and language abilities (reading, writing, speaking English).
• Physical requirements include standing, walking, bending, lifting up to 50 pounds, and other mobility factors.
• Possible exposure to animals, anesthesia, radiation, biological hazards and medications/controlled substances.

• Certificate of completion from a NAVTA approved Veterinary Assistant program, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience. A High School Diploma or equivalent is preferred.
• Must be able to perform NAVTA-approved veterinary assistant skills to aid in practice efficiency.
• Must be at least 18 years…