Veterinary Assistant

The Grand Lake Veterinary Hospital • Oakland, CA

73d • $18 - $20

About The Position

The Veterinary Assistant moves patients and clients through the hospital to receive the care they need. They assist in restraining pets and set up for the examination procedure. They aid the DVMs by preparing appointments, communicating with, and educating clients. They aid the technicians in achieving greater efficiency by relieving them of some of the routine work. Veterinary Assistants are also cross-trained as kennel staff members and are responsible for proper husbandry care of all hospitalized and boarded animals, including feeding, bathing, record keeping and the cleanliness of cages, runs and ward areas. In addition, the kennel staff also is responsible for the cleanliness of the hospital.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 18 years old.
• Genuinely enjoys working with animals and is able to deal with them even when stressed, ill or in pain.
• Can stay calm and efficient during a medical crisis.
• Is well-spoken and approaches his/her job duties in a mature nature.
• Can support and be a part of a team.
• Works well with all levels of hospital staff.
• Has excellent communication skills.
• Typing skills required.
• Some computer knowledge required; comfortable with Word, keyboarding, and use of communication tools such as email.
• Previous animal care background is desirable, but not required.

Nice To Haves

• Customer Service background desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

• Conducts oneself in a positive, confident and professional manner at all times.
• Maintains positive, cooperative relationships with other employees.
• Knows all common vaccines, understands basic vaccination protocol, heartworm testing and preventatives and flea/tick control options and can explain to clients.
• Keeps accurate medical records in accordance with hospital policy, including weights, microchips, and medical histories.
• Understands the importance of a clean and orderly facility, and promptly cleans and organizes as part of a normal job duty.
• Prepares and maintains the exam rooms and treatment areas. Ensures exam rooms are clean, sanitized, and thoroughly stocked.
• Safely and effectively restrains cats and dogs even when large or difficult.
• Guides clients and patients to exam rooms, creating a connection with clients, and maintaining client communication.
• Supports DVM, RVT, and Tech Assistants during examination and treatment of patients.
• Reviews the days schedule prior to the start of the business day to evaluate for any challenging patients or situations.
• Collects brief information on the presenting complaint, completing the medical record above the SOAP.
• Contacts other facilities to obtain complete patient medical records.
• Communicates regularly with clients if the DVM is running late.
• Keeps DVM moving through schedule efficiently, communicating patient signalment and presenting complaint.
• May be asked by DVM to present estimates to clients.
• Properly cleans, cares for, and sterilizes all instruments, surgical materials and equipment.
• Performs or prepares clinical laboratory procedures such as heartworm tests, skin scrapings, urinalysis, ear cytology and fungal cultures.
• Maintains file of lab test results and ensures that test results are recorded in patient records.
• Stains and prepares slides for microscopic analysis.
• Assists with running in-house laboratory equipment.
• Prepares and packages samples to be sent to the outside laboratories.
• When not involved in their primary role of assisting doctors and clients in the exam room, may be asked to assist with or perform set up for procedures, and radiographs.
• Performs anal gland expressions and nail trims.
• Understands the use and care of IV pumps.
• May perform physical assessments.
• Performs other duties as assigned including assisting in other areas such as kennel.
• Receives animals to be admitted, is responsible for their proper identification and for recording their respective locations and belongings.
• Releases animals to their owners as directed by the doctor; ensures that every animal released is clean and properly groomed prior to their release.
• Follows a regular schedule for cleaning and sanitizing all cages, runs, wards and related areas.
• Feeds each animal as prescribed by the attending doctor or as the owner has requested and records appetites.
• Maintains laundry for the kennel, grooming, and hospital.
• Maintains the grounds of the property including waste disposal, light maintenance of landscape upkeep and general building maintenance.
• Gives baths and brushes out patients.
• Collects urine and fecal specimens.
• Recognizes and reports any unusual condition or abnormal behavior to the boarding supervisor or attending DVM.
• Cleans equipment and facilities using chemicals and supplies; understands the importance of safety of use of chemicals in our facility.
• Understands and carries out the weekly and monthly chore list to maintain the hospital cleanliness, the equipment, and overall appearance of the hospital.

Benefits

• Salary Range: $18 - $20 per hour depending upon experience.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: High school or GED