Veterinary Assistant

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shelters; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 35,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

Join a dynamic organization making a difference in animal welfare as a Veterinary Assistant. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with a dedicated team, assisting in patient care and client communication. You'll be at the forefront of ensuring high-quality care and support for animals in need. If you are passionate about animal welfare and have the skills to thrive in a fast-paced environment, this is your chance to contribute to a meaningful cause while developing your career in veterinary services. Embrace the challenge and become part of a team that values diversity and inclusion!

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Valid Class N or 5 BC Drivers’ License needed.

Responsibilities

• Assist with patient appointments and surgeries using low stress handling techniques.
• Communicate with clients, schedule appointments, and maintain records.
• Support doctors during surgical and dental procedures.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Teamwork

Animal Welfare Knowledge

Basic Computer Skills

Time Management

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

SPCA Certificate, Part 1

Job description

If you are up for the challenge and would like to be considered for this position, we would like to hear from you. The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is looking to fill the following career opportunity:

POSITION: Veterinary Assistant

STATUS: On-call ; Casual

CLASSIFICATION: CUPE 1622

WAGE: Hourly

We welcome diversity, value differences, and foster inclusion in our employment practices. We invite applications from all qualified individuals who are philosophically aligned with our mission and principles.

The BC SPCA is a dynamic organization with facilities and services across the province of BC. Join an expanding team in an exciting time of change in an organization that makes a difference! Please read below for additional details and let us know if you have the skills and experience we are looking for by submitting your application.

About the Position:

Working with doctors and the rest of the hospital care team, the Veterinary Assistant is responsible for assisting staff, patients, and clients in a variety of functions, as assigned. This includes communicating with the public and clients, assisting with patient appointments and surgeries using low stress and fear-free handling techniques, record-keeping, inventory, housekeeping, maintenance, and other duties as required to ensure efficient operations and high quality of care.

Veterinary Assistants may be assigned to any of the following posts while on shift:

• Client Care Representative
• Exam-Room Assistant
• Surgical Room Assistant

Some specific duties:

• Communicating with clients using a variety of media including telephone, email, and/or text:
  • Answering incoming enquiries;
  • Reminding clients of upcoming appointments including providing any instructions as required;
  • Follow up communication on progress from past appointments; and
  • Performing other communication as required.
• Scheduling appointments.
• Greeting all clients coming into the hospital and offering your assistance.
• Inform clients of expected wait time and take reasonable measures to ensure their wait is comfortable.
• Announcing arrival of an appointment to the applicable team member.
• Admitting and discharging patients, filling prescriptions, and completing over-the-counter sales.
• Acting as the initial source of information to clients on topics such as vaccinations, basic lab tests, common diseases, basic pet behaviour, low stress and fear-free handling, and over-the-counter diets and products.
• Preparing a new client file for all new clients/patients; ensuring all existing records are complete, accurate, and up to date.
• Preparing estimates, patient visit lists (PVL), invoices, prescription labels, medications, and discharge instructions, as required.
• Reviewing invoices with clients, outlining balance owing, and processing payments.
• Ensuring the client has all medications and personal belongings when discharged.
• Issuing reminders, marketing materials, and other information to existing or prospective clients.
• Registering microchips with the BC Pet Registry.
• Ensuring the hospital is clean and tidy as per daily task lists; assist in outside maintenance as required.
• Performing end of day closeout.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Following detailed task list, including but not limited to:
• Checking in clients and patients and recording the reason for the visit.
• Obtaining weight of large dogs prior to entering the exam room.
• Guiding client and patient to the appropriate exam room.
• Recording vitals as relayed verbally by the veterinarian.
• Notifying the doctor that the patient is in the exam room and providing a brief history.
• Attending examinations and inputting data in the medical record as relayed verbally by the veterinarian.
• Preparing estimates, obtaining doctor’s approval on estimate, and once approved, providing estimate to client.
• If client approves treatment at estimated cost, taking patients to Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT) and assisting either the RVT or the doctor in further procedures (e.g. blood collection, radiographs, vaccinations, hospitalization, etc).
• Preparing medications and presenting them to RVT or doctor to check; once approved, dispensing and providing medications to client.
• Discharging patients, recording any follow up required, and booking future appointments as necessary.
• Providing basic information for clients regarding vaccine, deworming, flea control, and dental protocols and other hospital policies.
• Ensuring the exam rooms are always clean and stocked with supplies.
• Maintaining laundry flow and restocking laundry for exam rooms.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Surgical & Dental Assistant duties include:
  • Providing support and assistance to doctors and Registered Veterinary Technologists during surgical and dental procedures required.
  • Following detailed task lists identified for each post, which include but are not limited to:
    • Assisting with checking in patients, taking patient histories, and recording notes throughout appointments and procedures.
    • Assisting with treatments, diagnostics, and basic procedures during appointments.
    • Helping Registered Veterinary Technologist with preparation, set up, inducement, monitoring, and recovery after various surgeries and dental procedures.
    • Assisting with cleaning and preparation of surgical suite, dental equipment, surgical instruments, and treatment area.
    • Maintaining laundry flow and restocking laundry for treatment, surgery, and recovery areas.
    • Caring for hospitalized patients that may need to be walked and cleaned up throughout the day.
• Ensuring the hospital is clean and tidy as per daily task lists; assist in outside maintenance as required.
• Registering microchips with the BC Pet Registry.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Inventory duties include:
  • Maintaining lists of supplies to be ordered.
  • Placing orders.
  • Stocking supplies as needed.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications you need to have:

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Valid Class N or 5 BC Drivers’ License and driver’s abstract
• Demonstrable interest in all aspects of animal welfare
• Knowledge of the geography of the Branch’s warrant area in general and the Shelter’s warrant area in particular
• A sound knowledge of animals, their breeds, characteristics, and more common diseases
• Ability to work as a team player and demonstrable well-developed interpersonal skills
• Basic computer skills sufficient to deal effectively with the necessary front office routines
• Ability to prioritize demands on time
• SPCA Certificate, Part 1
• Philosophical harmony with the vision, mission, and strategic directions of the BC SPCA

How to apply:

If you are interested in joining our team and are legally entitled to work in Canada, we would like to hear from you. Click on apply now or use the link to apply here.

We thank you for your interest in the BC SPCA; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.

The BC SPCA is a Registered Charity BN 11881 9036 RR0001