Veterinary Assistant Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Must be as good with people as you are with pets.
• Enjoys educating and connecting with people.
• Communicates effectively.
• Advocates for patients.
• Is reliable and trustworthy.
• Has some demonstrable animal care skills.
• Shows adaptability and resilience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Washington State Medical Clerk License.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Practice Management Software

Responsibilities

• Cleaning, disinfection, manage and care for: cat room, kennel room, inside runs and outside area
• Cage card interpretation (diagnosis, food/water intake, stool/urine samples needed, medications, etc.)
• Laundry (including disinfection of regular and the Isolation Ward linens)
• Husbandry and Husbandry Standards (feeding, water, walking and litter pans- frequency)
• Obtain body weights, temperature, heart rates and respiratory rates and DOCUMENT
• Safe and effective animal restraint and muzzle application for canines and felines.
• Disposal of waste and sharps
• Proper care and use of clippers and blades
• Isolation Protocol
• Care and handling of neonates
• Perform ear flushes (Direct DVM/LVT Supervision)
• Nail trims
• Fecal Set Up and Preparation to outgoing lab (Direct DVM/LVT Supervision)
• Perform all SNAP tests (Direct DVM/LVT Supervision)
• Telephone etiquette including appointment scheduling
• Add new Client & Patient and schedule an appointment
• Check –in & Checkout a patient with receiving (Practice Management Software)
• Open, complete and get signatures for Admit Form (s)
• CareCredit application and setup
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Washington State Medical Clerk License
• Admit & discharge patients
• Biological injections (vaccines) (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
• Biological vaccines for rabies (Direct DVM Supervision)
• Intramuscular and subcutaneous injections (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
• Intravenous injections into catheterized veins (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
• Anal gland expression
• Lab sample collection and test preparation (direct DVM supervision)
• Venipuncture (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
• Skin Scrapping (exfoliative) (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
• Imaging procedures: produce radiographs and transfer images (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
• Removal of sutures, drains and staples (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
• Use and maintenance of ultrasonic cleaner and instrument milk
• Bandage applications (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
• Removal of exposed foreign bodies (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
• Knowledge and understanding of the Cara Surgical Sterility Protocol
• Knowledge of surgical instruments- their use and names
• Maintenance and use of autoclave/gas sterilizer (including proper instrument selection)
• Assembly of surgical packs and autoclave
• Proper procedure for opening sterile instruments, suture material, and scalpel blades
• Patient preparation of surgery (clipping, positioning, surgical scrub, urinary bladder expression)
• Client Engagement: Embrace your role in enhancing the client experience by fostering meaningful connections with clients. Listen empathetically, answer questions, and provide support and guidance.
• Challenging Client Situations: Develop the skill to defuse difficult client interactions gracefully. Your ability to remain patient, empathetic, and professional in challenging situations is key.
• Microchip implantation (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
• Perform enema (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
• Massage, except when otherwise regulated (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
• Dispense non-controlled pharmaceuticals (Requires Veterinary Medical Clerk License)
• Removal of exposed foreign bodies (i.e., Ticks or PPQ’s) (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
• Perform ECG & blood pressure readings (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
• Set up for all surgery types
• Change oxygen tank
• Know how to care for an intravenous catheter
• Knowledge of IDEXX equipment and how to run samples
• Knowledge of IDEXX maintenance procedures and frequency of care as well as documentation
• Know locations of drugs for emergency use
• Client Engagement: Cultivate a welcoming, empathetic, and memorable client experience. Embrace a hospitality mindset to elevate service.
• Client education (admit, discharge & present estimates)
• Ability to be assigned to a doctor and assist them in handling their cases.
• How to prepare an estimate for a client
• Know how to invoice a client
• Ultrasound set up including client/patient information input
• Bandage application (Direct DVM/LVT Supervision)
• Know proper technique to scrubbing, gowning, and gloving
• Monitor anesthetized patients’ vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration) (IMMEDIATE DVM/LVT Supervision)
• Set up and Maintenance of Suction Equipment
• IV Catheterization - peripheral (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
• Know the names of dental instruments and care/maintenance of dental equipment
• Routine Dental Prophy (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
• Perform non-invasive CPR and basic first aid
• Client Education: Provide comprehensive client education during admissions, discharges, and while presenting treatment estimates. Serve as a resource for clients, offering detailed information and guidance on their pets' health and treatment options.
• Anticipate Veterinarian's Needs: Proactively anticipate the needs of the veterinarian during appointments, procedures, and surgeries. Prepare necessary equipment, supplies, and treatment plans to streamline the care process.
• Patient Flow Director: Efficiently manage patient flow, ensuring timely appointments and procedures, which contributes to a seamless and positive client experience.
• Client Partnership: Act as a partner with clients in their pets' healthcare journey, fostering a relationship-based approach to veterinary care.
• Experiential Client Interactions: Create experiential, not transactional, client interactions by actively engaging with clients, answering their questions, addressing concerns, and making them feel heard and valued.
• May assist in training of other team members as directed by hospital leaders

Benefits

• Competitive salary ranging from $22-$26
• Medical, vision, & dental insurance premium with 4 options for all full-time employees
• Child, spousal, and family insurance options for all medical, dental, and vision insurance options
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off (PTO), up to 80 hours + 10 hours for Personal Celebration Day
• Up to six paid floating holidays per calendar year
• 401k + 4% employer match
• Employee pet care discount for up to four personal pets
• Uniform allowance
• Professional Development (CE) reimbursement, up to $500 each year
• Quarterly Incentive Bonus Program with potential earnings of up to $250/quarter
• Veterinary Medical Clerk License application and renewal covered
• Regular reviews and feedback