Veterinary Assistant

Petco Animal Supplies Stores•Chico, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Veterinary Assistant position at Vetco Total Care hospitals is focused on providing excellent medical care to patients and exceptional customer service to their owners. This role is crucial in representing the company's mission and values, setting the tone for technical and customer support within the hospital. Veterinary Assistants are responsible for fostering a cohesive and motivated team environment where patient needs are prioritized, team members are empowered to create exceptional customer experiences, and conflicts are resolved promptly. The role contributes to the growth of a productive practice with a high standard of care, aiming for employee retention, patient well-being, and customer satisfaction.

Requirements

At least 1 year of previous experience working in a veterinary practice or sufficient relatable animal care experience.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Compassionate and sympathetic demeanor.
Ability to maintain a professional attitude during emotional and stressful situations.
Telephone and computer skills.
Team player willing to learn new techniques and treatments, offer creative ideas, and accept change.

Responsibilities

Greet clients and patients, escort them into exam rooms, obtain weight and vital signs, and record information in the electronic medical record.
Collect thorough patient histories and document patient visits in EMRs.
Assist doctors with appointments (routine and emergency), surgery, dentistry, and euthanasia under supervision.
Perform patient restraint and obtain/process laboratory samples.
Handle and dispense medications as directed by the veterinarian.
Maintain and update client/patient records.
Schedule appointments and provide client education.
Relay test results to doctors and clients.
Prepare patients for surgical and dental procedures.
Assist doctors and/or veterinary technicians in anesthetizing patients.
Safely maintain patients under anesthesia, monitoring vital parameters, under supervision.
Monitor patients during recovery and prepare them for discharge or transfer.
Perform in-hospital treatments for sick patients, including administering medications and fluid therapy, under supervision.
Keep patients clean, watered, and fed as indicated and directed by the doctor.
Safely walk canine patients when necessary for elimination.
Assist in training new staff members and disseminating knowledge as required.
Keep the hospital environment neat and clean, performing regular cleaning based on necessity and a predetermined maintenance schedule.
Provide backup phone and front desk support as needed.