Veterinary Assistant

Petco•Avondale, AZ

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Veterinary Assistant provides medical care support to patients at a Vetco Total Care full-service hospital and customer care to their owners. The role represents Petco’s mission and values, supports technical and customer service functions, and helps foster teamwork and motivation within the practice. The position contributes to an efficient hospital operation and a high standard of care, with a focus on patient well-being, employee retention, and customer satisfaction. The Veterinary Assistant works under the direct supervision of veterinarians and veterinary technicians for patient care, and takes overall direction from the HOM/HLOD or the supervising technician for the shift. The position has no immediate supervisory duties. Most duties take place in a veterinary hospital and involve frequent direct contact with clients and pets.

Requirements

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Compassionate and sympathetic demeanor, with the ability to remain professional during emotional and stressful situations.
Telephone and computer skills.
Ability to work as a team player, learn new techniques and treatments, offer creative ideas, and accept change.
Ability to bend, kneel, lift up to 30 pounds as necessary, and stand for long periods of time.

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 electronic medical records.
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 a veterinarian, and help maintain electronic medical records.
Schedule appointments, educate clients, 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, maintain patients safely under anesthesia while monitoring vital parameters, help monitor patients during recovery, and prepare them for discharge or transfer to an overnight care facility.
Under supervision, provide in-hospital treatments for sick patients, including injectable and oral medications and intravenous fluid therapy; keep patients clean, watered, and fed as directed; 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 regular cleaning as needed and according to a predetermined maintenance schedule.
Perform additional duties as assigned.
Provide backup phone and front desk support as needed.