Veterinary Assistant

Cara Veterinary•Kirkland, WA

4h•Onsite

About The Position

Juanita Hills Animal Hospital is an established hospital in Western Washington and part of the Cara Network of Neighborhood Veterinary Practices. We’re well known for the dedicated care we give our community’s animal family members, and as one of Cara’s 10 member hospitals, we’re also known as an exceptional place to work. In real world talk, that means you’ll get the training and support you need to do your job well. Plenty of opportunities to learn, grow, and advance. Acknowledgement and rewards for those who go the extra mile for our clients and their pets. Kirkland is the perfect blend of lakeside living and urban energy, an ideal home base for veterinary professionals who want both community and adventure. With a lively waterfront downtown, incredible restaurants, and endless outdoor access, it’s easy to build a balanced life here. The city is known for its close-knit, sometimes quirky vibe and top-rated schools. As Veterinary Assistant your role is essential to maintaining the health and well-being of our animal patients and upholding the highest standards of care at Cara Veterinary. You will be responsible for the day-to-day patient care, ensuring a clean and safe environment, and assisting with various medical and client-related tasks. Your work is guided by the principles and values outlined in Cara Veterinary's pillars and core competencies, ensuring that our patients always come first.

Requirements

Minimum of 1-year experience in Veterinary Assistant Role
Good with people as well as pets
Enjoys educating and connecting with people
Communicates effectively
Advocates for patients
Reliable and trustworthy
Some demonstrable animal care skills
Shows adaptability and resilience
Ability to obtain and maintain a Washington State Medical Clerk License

Nice To Haves

Embrace your role in enhancing the client experience by fostering meaningful connections with clients.
Listen empathetically, answer questions, and provide support and guidance.
Develop the skill to defuse difficult client interactions gracefully. Your ability to remain patient, empathetic, and professional in challenging situations is key.
Cultivate a welcoming, empathetic, and memorable client experience. Embrace a hospitality mindset to elevate service.
Client education (admit, discharge & present estimates)
Ability to be assigned to a doctor and assist them in handling their cases.
Experiential Client Interactions

Responsibilities

Cleaning, disinfection, manage and care for: cat room, kennel room, inside runs and outside area
Cage card interpretation (diagnosis, food/water intake, stool/urine samples needed, medications, etc.)
Laundry (including disinfection of regular and the Isolation Ward linens)
Husbandry and Husbandry Standards (feeding, water, walking and litter pans- frequency)
Obtain body weights, temperature, heart rates and respiratory rates and DOCUMENT
Safe and effective animal restraint and muzzle application for canines and felines.
Disposal of waste and sharps
Proper care and use of clippers and blades
Isolation Protocol
Care and handling of neonates
Perform ear flushes (Direct DVM/LVT Supervision)
Nail trims
Fecal Set Up and Preparation to outgoing lab (Direct DVM/LVT Supervision)
Perform all SNAP tests (Direct DVM/LVT Supervision)
Telephone etiquette including appointment scheduling
Add new Client & Patient and schedule an appointment
Check –in & Checkout a patient with receiving (Practice Management Software)
Open, complete and get signatures for Admit Form (s)
CareCredit application and setup
Ability to obtain and maintain a Washington State Medical Clerk License
Admit & discharge patients
Biological injections (vaccines) (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Biological vaccines for rabies (Direct DVM Supervision)
Intramuscular and subcutaneous injections (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Intravenous injections into catheterized veins (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Anal gland expression
Lab sample collection and test preparation (direct DVM supervision)
Venipuncture (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Skin Scrapping (exfoliative) (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Imaging procedures: produce radiographs and transfer images (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Removal of sutures, drains and staples (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Use and maintenance of ultrasonic cleaner and instrument milk
Bandage applications (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Removal of exposed foreign bodies (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Knowledge and understanding of the Cara Surgical Sterility Protocol
Knowledge of surgical instruments- their use and names
Maintenance and use of autoclave/gas sterilizer (including proper instrument selection)
Assembly of surgical packs and autoclave
Proper procedure for opening sterile instruments, suture material, and scalpel blades
Patient preparation of surgery (clipping, positioning, surgical scrub, urinary bladder expression)
Microchip implantation (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Perform enema (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Massage, except when otherwise regulated (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Dispense non-controlled pharmaceuticals (Requires Veterinary Medical Clerk License)
Removal of exposed foreign bodies (i.e., Ticks or PPQ’s) (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Perform ECG & blood pressure readings (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Set up for all surgery types
Change oxygen tank
Know how to care for an intravenous catheter
Knowledge of IDEXX equipment and how to run samples
Knowledge of IDEXX maintenance procedures and frequency of care as well as documentation
Know locations of drugs for emergency use
How to prepare an estimate for a client
Know how to invoice a client
Ultrasound set up including client/patient information input
Bandage application (Direct DVM/LVT Supervision)
Know proper technique to scrubbing, gowning, and gloving
Monitor anesthetized patients’ vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration) (IMMEDIATE DVM/LVT Supervision)
Set up and Maintenance of Suction Equipment
IV Catheterization - peripheral (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Know the names of dental instruments and care/maintenance of dental equipment
Routine Dental Prophy (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Perform non-invasive CPR and basic first aid
Provide comprehensive client education during admissions, discharges, and while presenting treatment estimates. Serve as a resource for clients, offering detailed information and guidance on their pets' health and treatment options.
Proactively anticipate the needs of the veterinarian during appointments, procedures, and surgeries. Prepare necessary equipment, supplies, and treatment plans to streamline the care process.
Efficiently manage patient flow, ensuring timely appointments and procedures, which contributes to a seamless and positive client experience.
Act as a partner with clients in their pets' healthcare journey, fostering a relationship-based approach to veterinary care.
Create experiential, not transactional, client interactions by actively engaging with clients, answering their questions, addressing concerns, and making them feel heard and valued.
May assist in training of other team members as directed by hospital leaders

Benefits

Great compensation & benefits
Flexible schedules
Competitive salary ranging from $22-$26
Medical, vision, & dental insurance premium with 4 options for all full-time employees
Child, spousal, and family insurance options for all medical, dental, and vision insurance options
Employee Assistance Program
Paid Time Off (PTO), up to 80 hours + 10 hours for Personal Celebration Day
Up to six paid floating holidays per calendar year
401k + 4% employer match
Employee pet care discount for up to four personal pets
Uniform allowance
Professional Development (CE) reimbursement, up to $500 each year
Quarterly Incentive Bonus Program with potential earnings of up to $250/quarter
Veterinary Medical Clerk License application and renewal covered
Regular reviews and feedback