Veterinary Assistant

VCA Animal Hospitals•Fair Oaks, CA

56d•Onsite

About The Position

Assist doctor and other hospital staff by care and cleaning of patients and facilities including completing patient treatments, assisting in surgery and all other animal care functions as well as other tasks involved in the operations of a veterinary hospital.

Requirements

High School Diploma.
Dependable attendance is required.
Any allergies to animals must be controllable through medication.
Must be able to lift 40 pounds.
Must be willing to work long or irregular hours under pressure conditions.
This position requires the ability to walk, bend, stand and reach constantly during a minimum 8-hour day.
Visual acuity sufficient to maintain accurate records, recognize people and understand written directions.
Ability to speak and hear sufficiently to understand, give information in person and over the telephone.
Fine motor skills adequate for utilizing hospital equipment such as electric clippers, syringes, radiology equipment, laboratory equipment, computers, etc.
Ability to perform a cursory examination of an animal.
Ability to use a stethoscope and otoscope.
Ability to recognize fleas, ticks and other external parasites.
Ability to recognize other potential health care issues, i.e., dental or exam by a veterinarian.
Clearly communicate your findings to doctor. Refuse to make a diagnosis.
Keep records up to date. This includes client records with charges, medical history, vaccine status, medications administered, laboratory reports, etc.
Maintain all log books (radiology, surgery, anesthesia, laboratory and controlled substance logs).
Handwriting must be neat and legible.
Understand how to maintain and use our inhalation anesthetic machines.
Administer certain anesthetics under direct doctor supervision.
Monitor anesthesia under direct doctor supervision.
Familiarity with procedures and antidotes for an anesthesia emergency.
Understand how to prep animals for aseptic surgery.
Understand aseptic technique in the surgery room and participate in maintaining sterile conditions.
Know the names and general uses of surgical instruments and equipment.
Maintain and sterilize surgical instruments and packs.
Be willing and able to assist the doctor with certain surgical procedures.
Position animals properly to the radiographs.
Know how to properly use positioning devices so that patients may be radiographed without the requirement of assistants holding animals in place whenever possible.
Develop radiographs.
Maintain and care for all radiology equipment.
Practice all safety regulations in regard to radiology.
Understand how to set up and use a Dental Prophylactics unit.
Perform routine dental prophylactics.
Know general uses of our instrumentation for endodontic, exodontic, etc.
Ability to take dental radiographs if necessary.
Draw blood samples.
Collect stool and urine samples.
Prepare lab request forms.
Create prescription labels, fill prescriptions and dispense medications as directed by a doctor.
Control inventory and assist in ordering medications and supplies.
Maintain proper storage and safekeeping of drugs as directed by a doctor.
Understand, participate and support planned VCA marketing events and programs.
Present marketing promotions to clients in a professional manner.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience or training/education working in a veterinary facility preferred.
Must be friendly, outgoing, “people oriented.”
Excellent communications skills.
Must be capable of being cross-trained for front office receptionist duties that will be expected in the job.
Telephone and computer skills are necessary.
Must be a team player willing to learn new techniques and treatments and to accept change.