Community Clinic Veterinary Assistant

Animal Friends Alliance•Fort Collins, CO

13h•$1,814 - $20•Onsite

About The Position

The Veterinary Assistant role assists in multiple procedures, providing care for animals, including physical examinations, dental procedures, surgeries, immunizations, euthanasia, as well as client education and inventory maintenance. This position requires a working knowledge of pharmaceutical drugs, common diseases, their symptoms, means of transmission, treatment and prevention, and other basic preventive animal health care recommendations. This position also requires learning a wide range of policies and procedures, as well as independent judgment and training, to take appropriate actions in standard situations.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
One year of work in an animal-related setting
Valid Driver’s License
Sincere interest in Animal Friends Alliance’s mission & vision
Knowledge of Google Suite, including Gmail and Google Drive.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel
Knowledge of animal breed, behavior, handling, and care
Basic technical procedures used in giving vaccinations and medicating animals
Able to prioritize duties and perform multiple tasks
Able to work in a high-stress, fast-paced environment
Ability to learn, retain, and communicate a wide variety of information
Detail oriented
Effective verbal and interpersonal skills for in-person, written, and telephone communication, for interaction with the public, volunteers, and colleagues.
Excellent organizational skills.
High level of professionalism.
Emotional intelligence, work ethic, and integrity.
Strong computer skills
Able to understand and use a database.
Able to work autonomously and within a team environment.
Able to plan, schedule, and organize multiple priorities and a high volume of work.
Can hear normal tones
Can hear soft tones
Eyesight: Normal/corrected to 20/40
Eyesight: Close eye work
Color Recognition
Can read, speak, and write English
Can control emotions (remain calm under verbal abuse, tough euthanasia decisions, etc.)
Ability to cultivate and project a positive attitude in the work setting and when representing Animal Friends Alliance in public.
Able to work with controlled substances
Can handle stress

Nice To Haves

Associate's or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
CVT or equivalent
Two years of veterinary medical care and animal handling in a fast-paced environment
Can distinguish smells
Can distinguish temperatures by touch/proximity

Responsibilities

Assist veterinarians with veterinary medicine and surgery in any appropriate capacity.
Obtain and record patient histories, vital signs, and weights.
Perform in-hospital lab testing and prepare specimens for reference labs.
Dispense and administer medications, vaccines, serums, and treatments as prescribed by veterinarians.
Administer fluids and blood products as prescribed by the veterinarian; use and maintain the IV pump.
Administer and monitor anesthesia under the direction of a veterinarian.
Provide specialized nursing care for injured or ill animals.
Prepare patients, instruments, and equipment for surgery; clean, maintain, and sterilize instruments, equipment, and materials.
Ensure that monitoring and support equipment, such as anesthetic machines, pulse oximeters, and blood pressure monitors, is in good working order.
Communicate with and educate owners in a compassionate, tactful, professional manner.
Take radiographs – practices radiograph safety in accordance with ALARA principles, demonstrates safe positioning techniques, understands correct radiograph technique, and has the ability to process radiographs.
Maintain knowledge of preventive healthcare recommendations in order to answer client questions, provide education on vaccines, flea and heartworm products, and assist in marketing veterinary services from which their pet would benefit, such as a dental cleaning, spay and neuter procedures.
Educate clients on products and medications sold, including dietary products, and answer questions regarding product purchase/use.
Maintain legally defensible medical records in cooperation with veterinarians.
Maintain inventory of pharmaceuticals, equipment, and supplies.
Work well with all team members and ensure that your actions support the hospital, the doctors, and the practice philosophy.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Collect specimens and perform routine laboratory procedures and tests in hematology, biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, urinalysis, and serology to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.
Assist in diagnostics, medical, and surgical procedures using a range of diagnostic equipment.
Report diagnostic testing results to veterinarians.
Maintain quality controls and record-keeping on in-house lab equipment.
Complete proper sample preparation and paperwork for reference lab tests.
Fill prescriptions per veterinarians’ instructions; double-check for accuracy; have another employee sign (two signatures on each prescription that leaves our hospital).
Admit patients scheduled for anesthetic procedures.
Keep surgical materials stocked; prepare gowns and surgical packs, or oversee this process.
Check oxygen lines and waste gas scavenger system; turn off scavenger system after surgical procedures are completed.
Prepare the surgery suite for surgery in collaboration with the surgery team.
Prepare instruments; know the type of surgical instruments required for specific surgeries.
Perform induction/intubation and all pre-anesthetic procedures, including patient prep, shave, and express bladder.
Monitor patients post-operatively.
Clean the surgery suite and instruments in accordance with hospital sterilization protocols.
Keep accurate anesthesia/surgical medical records.
Accurately calculate and record all medications and injections administered.
Ensure all surgery patients go home well-groomed and in an appropriate medical state.
Clean, scale, and polish teeth using dental equipment and hand instruments.
Perform fluoride treatments.
Record dental problems in the record and report to the veterinarian.
Assist veterinarians with performing oral extractions or other dental procedures.
Take before-and-after photos to send to the client.
Take dental radiographs for each tooth on each patient.
Update medical records as needed.
Communicate with doctors and technicians through notations in medical records.
Record necessary (highlighted) information for hospitalized patients.
Maintain cleanliness of exam rooms, surgery suite, kennels, and treatment area; all surfaces.
Keep food and drinks out of the treatment area and surgery suite; any place not permitted by OSHA.
Discard syringes, vials, and containers in appropriate containers.
Log controlled drugs.
Assist with the inventory physical count.
Unpack deliveries, reconcile against packing slip, restock supplies.
Treats animals humanely, with compassion and concern, both on and off the job, and conveys these values to others, in word and action.
Represents Animal Friends Alliance in a professional and courteous manner at all times.
Provides quality service to customers, volunteers, and staff, recognizing their individual contributions to Animal Friends Alliance.
Monitors, supports, motivates, and champions volunteers and their work.
Solicits monetary and in-kind donations by raising awareness of the organization's work, goals, and financial needs.
Follows all safety rules to ensure a safe work environment at all times. Takes immediate action to address any safety concerns or noncompliance issues that could put an animal, employee, volunteer, visitor, or the organization at risk.
Learns basic duties of other departments and supports other departments and staff.
Monitors, supports, motivates, and accredits volunteers and their work.
Understands and operates by Animal Friends Alliance’s core values.
Regular and timely presence onsite.