Veterinary Assistant - Surgery

BluePearl Pet Hospital

4d•$20 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

Our BluePearl Pet Hospital in Tacoma, WA is seeking a knowledgeable and skilled Veterinary Assistant to join our Surgery Team! VA I Pay: $20.32 - $27.83 / hour This pay band is a starting point and is dependent on experience and advancement through CareerTrax leveling system. We also offer competitive shift differential pay for eligible hours worked for nights and weekends. Shift differentials are based on a 4-hour minimum. For example: Mon – Fri: 6pm to 8am = $4.00 Shift Differential Sat & Sun: 6pm to 8am = $5.50 Shift Differential Sat & Sun: 8am to 6pm = $4.00 Shift Differential Our Veterinary Assistants triage cases as they come in and assist DVM with crafting and going over estimates as needed. In addition, they perform diagnostics (radiographs, lab work, e.g.), setting patients up in ICU or Inpatient ward, discharging patients, and handle client communication. As a Surgery Veterinary Assistant, you will: Provide nursing care to stable patients according to hospital standards of care and core values. Utilize their ability to place peripheral intravenous catheter in cephalic vein. Performs physical exam; accurately counts heart, pulse rate, capillary refill time, mucous membranes, temperature, respiratory rate and effort. Understands normal vital parameters and alerts doctor when abnormal. Able to set up intravenous fluids. Administers subcutaneous fluids. Can operate all brands of intravenous fluid pumps and can troubleshoot errors. Able to disconnect and connect patients from intravenous fluids aseptically. Ability to monitor patient response to fluid therapy including signs of overload. Scrub in for surgical procedures with boarded surgeons. Clean operating rooms; clean, wrap, and sterilize surgical instruments. Ability to check in, write up history for consults and communicate to client post-operative; must be able to work independently while contributing to a larger team goal. Additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

Prefer to have a minimum of two or more years of experience in a veterinary hospital.
Ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb as well as manipulate (lift, carry, and move) up to 50 pounds. Lifting higher weights requires requesting assistance from another associate.

Responsibilities

Provide nursing care to stable patients according to hospital standards of care and core values.
Utilize their ability to place peripheral intravenous catheter in cephalic vein.
Performs physical exam; accurately counts heart, pulse rate, capillary refill time, mucous membranes, temperature, respiratory rate and effort.
Understands normal vital parameters and alerts doctor when abnormal.
Able to set up intravenous fluids.
Administers subcutaneous fluids.
Can operate all brands of intravenous fluid pumps and can troubleshoot errors.
Able to disconnect and connect patients from intravenous fluids aseptically.
Ability to monitor patient response to fluid therapy including signs of overload.
Scrub in for surgical procedures with boarded surgeons.
Clean operating rooms; clean, wrap, and sterilize surgical instruments.
Ability to check in, write up history for consults and communicate to client post-operative; must be able to work independently while contributing to a larger team goal.
Additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

Our passion is pets. We offer Trupanion pet insurance and discounts to our associates for pet treatments, procedures, and food.
We encourage you to grow with us. Our technicians are leveled by their skillset and move up in level as they gain more skills and experience.
We are focused on developing our associates into leaders through talent development programs and leadership workshops.
As a member of Mars Veterinary Health, our associates have endless opportunities to advance in his/her career.
In order to transform and lead the industry through innovative quality medicine and care, we understand the importance of continuous learning. We offer annual continuing education allowance, free continuing education sessions, our own BluePearl University for training, and our clinicians have access to over 2,000 medical journals.
A regional licensed social worker who can provide guidance, advice, and tips/tricks on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle while working in a fast-paced emergency and specialty care environment.
Lyra; Access to 12 mental health care sessions annually at no charge to you, and other well-being resources through Lyra- an online mental health support platform
We promote a family-like culture in our hospitals. We are all in this together. We believe in working together to lead the industry by enriching lives through remarkable care for pets.
Our Continuing Education Plan includes $500/year reimbursement for CVT and $750/year for VTS. The Continuing Education allowance can roll over up to $1,500 for CVT and VTS associates. Non-Credentialed, full-time Paraprofessionals are eligible for an annual CE stipend of $150. Full-time CVT associates also receive 8 hours of CE paid hours each year. Full-time VTS associates receive 12 hours of CE paid each year. Paid CE hours can be carried over year to year up to a maximum of 24 hours. Newly hired associates will receive a pro-rated amount of any CE benefit for which they are eligible.
Company-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
Parental Leave Benefits
Health, dental, vision, and life insurance options
Paid Time Off and Floating Holiday Plans
Health Savings Account
Flexible Savings Account
401(k) Retirement Plan
Annual Scrub Allowance: full-time associates receive $200/year in BluePearl store credit.
Referral Bonus Program
State licensure reimbursements
VTNE reimbursements
Additional VTS benefits – pursuing & established VTS technicians.