Veterinary Assistant - LAC After Hours

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign•Urbana, IL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of veterinarians and veterinary technicians, the Veterinary Assistant will be responsible for providing patient care and service support in a courteous and professional manner for the Large Animal Clinic after-hours services at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Responsibilities will include providing basic animal patient care (restraint, chute work, feeding, etc.); maintaining accurate medical records; stocking supplies; supply inventory; cleaning and sterilizing instruments, cleaning facilities, and entering charges into EMR as directed.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Knowledge of general care and handling of large animal species (equine, bovine, ovine, caprine, porcine, camelids, and cervids).
Working knowledge infection control protocols and hospital standards.
Working knowledge of medical and veterinary terminology.
Knowledge of operating computers and hospital information systems.
Skill in the operation of surgical, laboratory and diagnostic equipment.
Able to adapt to new technologies, procedures and equipment.
Demonstrate adherence to strict protocols.
Able to recognize abnormalities in vital signs of patients and report to veterinary staff.
Able to operate on the clinical floor and anticipate needs and directions of staff and students regarding patients and methods of care.
Able to observe, record, compile and assimilate data.
Able to explain terminology used in veterinary medicine.
Able to multi-task, pay close attention to details and work calmly and professionally under pressure.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Courteous and polite.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge related to the care and handling of anesthetic waste gas and federal regulations and university and hospital polices regarding the use and handling of controlled substances will be taught.

Responsibilities

Provide basic patient care in a professional and courteous manner under the supervision of a veterinarian or veterinary technician.
Work as a team with veterinary technicians, students, interns, residents and faculty to provide care for patients which may include, but is not limited to post-surgical, chronic conditions, and isolation, which may include zoonotic diseases.
Use problem solving skills to assist with patient care in emergent and non-emergent situations.
Directly monitor patient status, under veterinary supervision, including those hospitalized and recovering from anesthesia.
Recognize and report physical abnormalities such as, but not limited to; respiratory difficulty and distress, change in mentation, abnormal physical exam findings, dystocia and signs of shock.
Recognize and report pulmonary or cardiopulmonary arrest.
Restrain patients using appropriate restraint techniques.
Operate hydraulic, manual chutes and gate systems to facilitate safe movement when unloading, loading, and moving animals within the ward.
Assist in walk-by observations and administer treatments as directed on the patient’s care plan under the supervision of the veterinarian and/or veterinary technician.
Report abnormal findings when something is not within the set call parameters.
Report issues and assist veterinary technicians, veterinarians, and veterinary students with the set up and maintenance of intravenous catheters, feeding tubes, nasal oxygen, and fluid pumps.
Assist with set up of IV fluids, and other medications as directed by the veterinarian.
Provide support to veterinary technicians and veterinarians in the administration of oral fluids via stomach tubing, nasoesophageal feedings, and bottle feedings.
Assist with set up for patient treatments and procedures under the direct or written orders of the veterinarian.
Maintain the cleanliness of animal and work areas, instruments and equipment based on set infection control protocols and hospital standards, as well as complete daily, weekly and monthly cleaning assignments.
Bed and clean patient stalls as needed.
Clean, sterilize, and package instruments.
Operate instrument sterilizers as necessary.
Stock and maintain clinical supplies and maintain inventory records.
Assist with documenting and troubleshooting issues with equipment.
Maintain patient logs and inpatient daily charges.
Record treatments, procedures, supplies, and thorough notes on patient’s medical record.
Record and enter charges for supplies and procedures into the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
Register and discharge patients, including taking payment.
Perform electronic submission of samples to clinical pathology and the diagnostic laboratory.
Facilitate processing of laboratory samples such as venous and arterial blood gases, packed cell volume (PCV)/total solids (TS), blood glucose (BG), lactate, ketostick etc.
Other duties as assigned.