Veterinary Assistant

Petco•Escondido, CA

About The Position

The Veterinary Assistant provides medical care to patients at a Vetco Total Care full-service hospital and customer care to their owners, while representing Petco’s mission and values. The role supports the hospital’s technical and customer service operations and helps foster teamwork, motivation, patient well-being, and customer satisfaction. Patient-care duties are performed under the direction and supervision of veterinarians and veterinary technicians, with overall direction from the HOM/HLOD or supervising technician for the shift. The position is primarily conducted in a veterinary hospital and involves frequent direct contact with clients and their pets. The Veterinary Assistant communicates regularly with clients, veterinary specialists, and companies that provide products or services used by the practice. The role has no immediate supervisory duties, though it may assist with training new staff members.

Requirements

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Compassionate and sympathetic manner, with the ability to maintain a professional attitude and demeanor during emotional and stressful situations.
Telephone and computer skills.
Willingness to learn new techniques and treatments, offer creative ideas, and accept change.
Ability to perform the listed duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of previous experience working in a veterinary practice, or sufficient relatable animal-care experience to ensure excellent performance.

Responsibilities

Greet clients and patients, escort them to exam rooms, obtain weights and vital signs, and record information in the electronic medical record.
Collect patient histories and document patient visits in electronic medical records.
Assist doctors with routine and emergency appointments, surgery, dentistry, and euthanasia under supervision.
Restrain patients, obtain and process laboratory samples, handle and dispense medications as directed by the veterinarian, and help maintain electronic medical records.
Schedule appointments, provide client education, relay test results to doctors and clients, and maintain and update client and patient records.
Prepare patients for surgical and dental procedures and assist doctors or veterinary technicians with anesthetizing patients.
Under supervision, monitor patients under anesthesia by tracking vital parameters, assist with recovery, and prepare patients for discharge or transfer to an overnight care facility.
Under supervision, perform in-hospital treatments for sick patients, including administering injectable and oral medications and intravenous fluid therapy.
Keep patients clean, watered, and fed when indicated and directed by the doctor, and safely walk canine patients when needed for elimination.
Under direction of the HOM/HLOD, assist in training new staff and sharing knowledge as required.
Keep the hospital environment neat and clean, performing regular cleaning as needed and according to a predetermined maintenance schedule.
Perform additional duties as assigned and provide backup phone and front desk support as needed.