Pet Care Assistant

A Caring Doctor (Minnesota), P.A.; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 27,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Banfield Pet Hospitals is seeking a Pet Care Assistant to support the veterinary team in delivering high-quality care for pets. You will help prepare examination rooms, assist during procedures, educate clients, and help maintain a welcoming, efficient hospital environment.

The role emphasizes teamwork, adherence to Five Principles, and reliable compassion for pets and clients. Weekend and evening shifts may be required, with opportunities for growth within the hospital network.

Qualifications

• Ability to multi-task—manages multiple tasks at one time with accuracy.
• Communication skills—reads, writes and speaks fluent English, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Organizational ability—systematic, orderly and able to turn chaos into order.
• Problem solving—identifies, analyzes and solves problems and translates into practical solutions.
• Client service skills—delivers attentive, courteous, informative service to clients.
• Intellectual ability—follows instructions accurately, can provide clear directions.
• Mathematical ability—basic math and unit conversions.
• Computer skills—comfortable using a computer and software such as Word, Excel, Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Live and exemplify the Five Principles of Mars, Inc. within self and team.
• Prepare the treatment room and supplies for examinations by veterinarians and technicians.
• Set up fecals, smears, and skin scrapings as allowed by state rules and regulations.
• Maintain the flow of the Cycle of Service.
• Provide client education on preventive care and wellness plans.
• Support Client Services Coordinator staff as needed.
• Hold or restrain pets during examination or treatment.
• Prepare routine in-house laboratory tests as allowed.
• Monitor the comfort of hospitalized patients.
• Ensure hospital cleanliness and instrument sterility.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Ability to multi-task

Communication skills

Organizational ability

Problem solving

Client service skills

Intellectual ability

Mathematical ability

Computer skills

Job description

If you are a current associate, you will need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs.

PET CARE ASSISTANT

This posting will remain open for a minimum of two weeks from the posting date.

A career at Banfield means you'll find yourself working in the pet healthcare field alongside industry experts with a chance to make a difference in the lives of pets and the clients we serve through client education and effective communication. Work in a fun team environment that offers a clear career path you can pursue if continued growth and learning is your goal.

JOB SUMMARY

The Pet Care Assistant works with the veterinary medical team to provide and prepare for the best medical care of pets, and to ensure this is provided in a happy, welcoming, friendly and efficient manner, influencing clients to return and refer their friends and families.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

• Live and exemplify the Five Principles of Mars, Inc. within self and team.
• Prepare the treatment room for examination of pets and all necessary medical item and supplies (e.g. vaccinations, fecal loops, slides, etc.) for the veterinarian and/or veterinary technician.
• Set up fecals, smears, and skin scrapings as allowed by state rules and regulations.
• Maintain the flow of the Cycle of Service in accordance with position.
• Provide Client Education regarding preventive care, Optimum Wellness Plans, and basic status of hospitalized pets.
• Serve as support to the Client Services Coordinator staff on an as-needed basis.
• Hold or restrain pets during examination, treatment, or inoculation.
• Prepare routine in-house laboratory tests (e.g. canine heartworm, feline leukemia, FIV, and canine parvovirus) as allowed by state rules and regulations.
• Monitor the comfort of hospitalized patients.
• Ensure the comfort of hospitalized patients by "walking", exercising, feeding, and cleaning cages and pet (when approved by the veterinarian or veterinary technician).
• Bathe and dip pets when necessary to treat dermatological conditions (when advised by veterinarian or veterinary technician.
• Clean the surgical suite and instruments.
• Ensure cleanliness of the hospital including but not limited to housekeeping such as laundry, dishes, mopping, cage cleaning, trash collection and removal and instrument cleaning as outlined by hospital protocols
• Other job duties as assigned.

THE FIVE PRINCIPLES

Every associate including the Pet Care Assistant has an important contribution to make to the veterinary team. We’re looking for Pet Care Assistants who are dedicated to their work, have a positive attitude and use our Five Principles: Quality – The consumer is our boss, quality is our work, and value for money is our goal. Responsibility – As individuals, we demand total responsibility from ourselves; as associates, we support the responsibility of others. Mutuality – A mutual benefit is a shared benefit; a shared benefit will endure. Efficiency – We use resources to the full, waste nothing and do only what we can do best. Freedom – We need freedom to shape our future; we need profit to remain free.

HIRING QUALIFICATIONS

Capabilities and Experience (can do)

• Ability to multi-task- Manages multiple tasks at one time; quickly and accurately shifts attention among multiple tasks under distracting conditions without loss of accuracy or appearance of frustration.
• Communication skills - Reads, writes and speaks fluent English, using appropriate grammar, style and vocabulary. Correctly spells commonly used English words and job specific terms. Demonstrates exceptionally strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Organizational ability - Demonstrates a systematic approach in carrying out assignments. Is very orderly and excels at cutting through confusion and turning chaos into order.
• Problem solving skills - Demonstrates a strong ability to identify, analyze and solve problems. Translates problems into practical solutions.
• Client service skills - Consistently ensures the team provides the client with attentive, courteous and informative service. Gains and shows personal satisfaction from delivering great service.
• Intellectual ability - Accurately and consistently follows instructions delivered in an oral, written or diagram format. Can provide directions.
• Mathematical ability - Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and to compute rate, ratio and percent; ability to convert units of measurement.
• Computer skills - Comfortably and confidently uses a computer and specialized software. Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, etc.

Attitudes (will do)

• Initiative - shows willingness and aptitude to take appropriate steps in finding solutions to problems; presents options and ideas to enhance current processes or procedures.
• Integrity - Firmly adheres to the values and ethics of Banfield Pet Hospitals. Exhibits honesty, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Cooperativeness - Willing to work with others, collaborating and compromising where necessary; promptly share relevant information with others.
• Flexibility - Is open to changing situations and opportunities and is willing to perform all tasks assigned.
• Independence - Able and willing to perform tasks and duties without supervision as appropriate.
• Tolerance for Stress / Resiliency - Maintains a positive "can do" outlook, rebounds quickly from frustrations and unpleasantness, and maintains composure and friendly demeanor while dealing with stressful situations.

Special Working Conditions

Ability to work at a computer for long periods of time. Ability to be confident around pets (i.e., dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, etc.) Client needs and work volume may often require more than 40 hours per week to complete essential duties of this job. This position requires special hours including working weekends and evenings. Must have mental processes for reasoning, remembering, mathematics and language ability (reading, writing, and speaking the English language) to perform the duties proficiently. The noise level in the work environment is moderately high. Requires sufficient ambulatory skills to perform duties while at hospital. Ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb as well as manipulate (lift, carry, move) up to 50 pounds.