Veterinary Assistant

Lakefield Veterinary Group•Portland, OR

7h•Onsite

About The Position

Cat and Dog Hospital of Portland is seeking a caring, dependable, and dedicated full-time Veterinary Assistant. The role supports veterinarians and veterinary technicians in providing quality veterinary care, keeping pets safe and comfortable, maintaining a clean and organized hospital, and providing professional, compassionate customer service. The hospital is a Feline-Friendly and Fear Free practice with a modern facility in Portland’s Sellwood neighborhood. The team emphasizes communication, collaboration, reliability, and a welcoming experience for pets and their people. The Veterinary Assistant gathers and documents patient information, helps prepare exam rooms and equipment, comforts and restrains pets, supports procedures, and monitors patients before and after surgery or while hospitalized or boarded. Under veterinary or veterinary technician direction, the assistant may administer medication, perform routine laboratory tests, fill prescriptions, and educate clients about medication. The position also involves feeding, watering, bathing, and exercising pets; answering client questions; and following practice policies and care standards. A high school diploma or GED is required. Previous veterinary hospital experience and one year of pet-care experience are preferred. A NAVTA-approved Veterinary Assistant program certificate and familiarity with Cornerstone veterinary software are also preferred or considered a plus. The position has no direct supervisory responsibilities. Work may involve flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, physical activity and lifting, and exposure to noise, sanitation chemicals, pet dander, animal excretions, and potentially aggressive, frightened, abused, or injured pets.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Strong communication and customer service skills.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to multitask in a busy environment.
Compassionate, team-oriented attitude and a strong sense of responsibility.
Professional, caring, compassionate, and tactful interaction with clients and employees.
Basic written, verbal, and active-listening communication skills with a customer-oriented approach.
Basic mathematical skills for accurate drug and fluid doses.
Basic analytical, critical-thinking, judgment, and problem-solving skills.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, including managing multiple priorities.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
Ability to maintain a calm demeanor in an environment that can be fast-paced and stressful.
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
Ability to talk and hear; frequent computer use for long periods; close vision; and walking, standing, and sitting for long periods.
Ability to exert up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, 20 pounds frequently, and 10 pounds constantly to lift, carry, pull, or move objects.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience working in a veterinary hospital.
One year of experience in pet care.
Certificate of completion from a NAVTA-approved Veterinary Assistant program.
Familiarity with Cornerstone veterinary software.
Broad knowledge of animal science.
Basic knowledge of pharmacology.
Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and industry internet sites.

Responsibilities

Foster a culture built on the values of Respect, Learning, Do the Right Thing, WOW Service, and Fun.
Clean, disinfect, and prepare exam rooms, medical equipment, and surgery areas between appointments.
Obtain initial patient information, medical histories, vaccination records, and visit reasons; document information and update records.
Calm, soothe, comfort, and restrain pets before, during, and after procedures.
Record examination results and update records as directed by veterinarians.
Provide pet owners with education, resources, and information about general care and veterinarian-directed condition-specific and post-procedure care.
Monitor and track pets’ physical status and vital signs following surgery.
Monitor, record, and report the physical condition and vital signs of hospitalized and boarded pets.
Clean and disinfect cages, pens, runs, and boarding areas.
Feed, water, bathe, and exercise pets during their visit.
Respond to general client questions.
Perform and set up procedures that do not require veterinarian or veterinary technician assistance.
Under the direction of a veterinarian or veterinary technician, may administer medication, perform routine laboratory tests, fill prescriptions, and educate clients on medication use and side effects.
Provide professional, efficient, quality care and exceptional client service while maintaining productivity.
Support a collaborative, team-oriented practice environment that delivers quality, compassionate, effective, and efficient pet health care.
Comply with practice policies, quality assurance guidelines, and minimum standards of care.
Perform other duties as requested.