Veterinary Assistant

Banfield Pet Hospital•Clearwater, FL

16d•$15 - $19•Onsite

About The Position

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. This role involves acting as the extra eyes, ears, and hands for the veterinarian and veterinary technician to ensure the best quality pet care and to maximize their productivity. The assistant communicates with the veterinary team and other associates to maintain patient flow, provides professional, efficient, and exceptional service, and performs or prepares procedures that do not require veterinarian or veterinary technician assistance. They also complete preparatory work for other procedures, ensure client and pet comfort, and monitor hospitalized or surgical pets as allowed by state practice acts. Client education on wellness plans, preventive care, and hospital services is also a key responsibility. Ensuring safety through proper restraining techniques, following protocols, and maintaining clean areas is crucial. The role may also involve assisting with surgery and mentoring other paraprofessionals.

Requirements

Certificate of completion from a NAVTA approved Veterinary Assistant program, or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
Must be able to perform all required skills of NAVTA approved veterinary assistant programs.
Must be at least 18 years old to perform duties involving radiography (x-ray) and exposure to radioactive substances.
One year related experience required.
Ability to multi-task.
Reads, writes and speaks fluent English, using appropriate grammar, style and vocabulary.
Demonstrates exceptionally strong written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrates a systematic approach in carrying out assignments.
Demonstrates a strong ability to identify, analyze and solve problems.
Consistently ensures the team provides the client with attentive, courteous and informative service.
Accurately and consistently follows instructions delivered in an oral, written or diagram format.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and to compute rate, ratio and percent; ability to convert units of measurement.
Comfortably and confidently uses a computer and specialized medical software, as well as Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel.
Firmly adheres to the values and ethics of Banfield Pet Hospital.
Willing to work with others, collaborating and compromising where necessary; promptly share relevant information with others.
Is open to changing situations and opportunities and is willing to perform all tasks assigned.
Able and willing to perform tasks and duties without supervision as appropriate.
Maintains a positive “can do” outlook, rebounds quickly from frustrations and unpleasantness, and maintains composure and friendly demeanor while dealing with stressful situations.
Ability to work at a computer for long periods of time.
Ability to be confident around pets (i.e., dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, etc.).
Requires sufficient ambulatory skills in order to perform duties while at hospital.
Ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb as well as manipulate (lift, carry, move) up to 50 pounds.
Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm-hand-finger dexterity with the ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard and operate equipment.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Associate is routinely exposed to a variety of pets that may bite or scratch, and on occasion, exposed to anesthesia, radiation, biological hazards and medication/controlled substances.

Nice To Haves

Customer service experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Supports veterinarians and veterinary technicians in providing quality veterinary care.
Advocates for pets and educates clients on pet health.
Ensures a safe and effective hospital environment.
Acts as support for veterinarians and veterinary technicians to maximize productivity.
Communicates with the veterinary team and other associates to maintain patient flow.
Performs or prepares procedures that do not require veterinarian or veterinary technician assistance.
Completes preparatory work for other procedures.
Ensures clients and pets are comfortable in the hospital.
Monitors hospitalized or surgical pets as allowed by state practice acts.
Educates clients about Optimum Wellness Plans, preventive care, pet health needs, and hospital services.
Obtains relevant information and history from clients.
Maintains proper and complete medical charts.
Ensures the safety of pets, clients, and associates by utilizing safe restraining techniques and following standard protocols.
Maintains clean, sterile, and organized treatment areas, exam rooms, and labs.
Assists with surgery as applicable.
Utilizes technical skills to the fullest within state practice acts and NAVTA guidelines.
Mentors other paraprofessionals in the hospital.