Veterinary Assistant - Freeland Animal Hospital

Freeland Animal Hospital•Indianapolis, IN

About The Position

The Veterinary Assistant supports Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians in maintaining pet and client safety and providing quality veterinary care. The role also includes front desk and client service responsibilities, such as greeting clients, answering phones, scheduling appointments, processing payments, and completing administrative tasks. The ideal candidate is comfortable moving between patient care and client-facing responsibilities throughout the day. The Veterinary Assistant helps prepare and clean exam rooms, equipment, and surgery areas; gathers and documents patient information; comforts and restrains pets; records examination findings; and provides pet-care information at a Veterinarian’s direction. The role includes monitoring patients and hospitalized or boarded pets, cleaning animal housing and boarding areas, feeding, watering, bathing, and exercising pets, responding to client questions, and performing procedures that do not require Veterinarian or Veterinary Technician assistance. Under appropriate direction, the assistant may perform basic health checks, administer medication, conduct routine laboratory tests, fill prescriptions, and explain medication use and side effects. The position calls for professional, compassionate, efficient care and service, collaboration with the practice team, and compliance with practice policies and standards of care. It has no direct supervisory responsibilities. Lakefield Veterinary Group describes its culture as guided by Respect, Learning, Do the Right Thing, WOW Service, and Fun, and says it partners with hospitals while providing operational support and resources.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Broad knowledge of animal science.
Basic knowledge of pharmacology.
Proficiency with computer programs including Microsoft Outlook, Word, and industry internet sites.
Basic written, verbal, and active listening communication skills with a customer-oriented approach.
Basic mathematical skills to support accurate drug and fluid dosing.
Basic analytical, critical-thinking, judgment, and problem-solving skills.
Compassion and empathy for pets and pet owners.
Ability to interact professionally, caringly, compassionately, and tactfully with a variety of clients and employees.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
Ability to remain calm in a work environment that can fluctuate from orderly to fast-paced and stressful.
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
Ability to talk and hear; frequently use a computer for long periods; and perform work requiring close vision.
Ability to walk, stand, and sit 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.
Ability to work around low to moderate noise, disinfectant and sanitation chemicals, pet dander, and animal excretions, and to encounter aggressive, frightened, abused, or injured pets that may bite or scratch.

Nice To Haves

Certificate of completion from a NAVTA-approved Veterinary Assistant program.
One year of experience in a pet care setting.

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 and document patient information, medical histories, vaccination records, and reasons for visits; 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 specific conditions or procedures, at a Veterinarian’s direction.
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.
Examine pets, perform basic health checks for signs of disease, illness, or injury, and treat them under a Veterinarian’s direction.
May administer medication, perform routine laboratory tests, fill prescriptions, and educate clients about medication use and side effects under the direction of a Veterinarian or Veterinary Technician.
Provide professional, efficient, quality care and exceptional client service while maintaining productivity.
Support a collaborative team environment that delivers quality, compassionate, effective, and efficient care to pets.
Comply with practice policies, quality assurance guidelines, and minimum standards of care.
Perform other duties as requested.
Greet clients, answer phones, schedule appointments, process payments, and assist with administrative tasks.