Veterinary Assistant

Banfield Pet Hospital•Niskayuna, NY

2d•$17 - $21•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 assisting with procedures, client education, maintaining medical records, ensuring safety protocols, and potentially assisting with surgeries. The Veterinary Assistant is expected to embody the company's Five Principles of Mars, Inc. and act as a key support for the veterinary team to maximize productivity and provide exceptional pet care.

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.
Customer service experience preferred.
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.
Shows willingness and aptitude to take appropriate steps in finding solutions to problems; presents options and ideas to enhance current processes or procedures.
Takes on additional responsibility when both big and small tasks need to be done.
Firmly adheres to the values and ethics of Banfield Pet Hospital.
Exhibits honesty, discretion, and sound judgment.
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.).
Must have mental processes for reasoning, remembering, mathematics and language ability (reading, writing, and speaking the English language) to perform the duties proficiently.
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 preferred.

Responsibilities

Support veterinarians and veterinary technicians in providing quality veterinary care.
Advocate for pets and educate clients on pet health.
Ensure a safe and effective hospital environment.
Communicate with veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and other associates to maintain patient flow.
Perform or prepare procedures that do not require veterinarian or veterinary technician assistance.
Complete preparatory work for other procedures.
Ensure clients and pets are comfortable in the hospital.
Monitor hospitalized or surgical pets as allowed by state practice acts.
Educate clients about Optimum Wellness Plans, preventive care, pet health needs, and hospital services.
Obtain relevant information and history from clients.
Maintain proper and complete medical charts.
Ensure the safety of pets, clients, and associates by utilizing safe restraining techniques and following standard protocols.
Maintain clean, sterile, and organized treatment areas, exam rooms, and labs.
Assist with surgery as applicable.
Utilize technical skills to the fullest within state practice acts and NAVTA guidelines.
Mentor other paraprofessionals in the hospital.
Other job duties as assigned.