Veterinary Assistant

Petco•Encinitas, CA

1d•Onsite

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. The role supports veterinarians and veterinary technicians with appointments, procedures, treatments, patient monitoring, and hospital operations. Veterinary Assistants represent the hospital’s mission and values, contribute to teamwork and staff development, and help create an environment focused on patient well-being and a positive customer experience. The position is based primarily in a veterinary hospital and involves regular direct contact with clients and pets. It requires bending, kneeling, standing for extended periods, and lifting up to 30 pounds as necessary. The position has no immediate supervisory duties. Patient-care activities are performed under the direct supervision of veterinarians and veterinary technicians; overall direction comes from the HOM/HLOD or the supervising technician on shift.

Requirements

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Compassionate and sympathetic, with the ability to maintain a professional attitude and demeanor during emotional and stressful situations.
Telephone and computer skills.
Team-oriented and willing to learn new techniques and treatments, offer creative ideas, and accept change.
Able 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 of the listed skills.

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, collect 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 with anesthetizing patients.
Under supervision, maintain patients safely under anesthesia while monitoring vital parameters, help monitor 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 necessary for elimination.
Assist with training new staff members and disseminating knowledge as directed by the HOM/HLOD.
Keep the hospital environment neat and clean, performing cleaning as needed and according to a maintenance schedule.
Perform additional duties as assigned and provide backup phone and front desk support as needed.