Veterinary Assistant

Heartland Veterinary Partners LLC; Decatur (AL, IL); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a compassionate team at a small animal clinic dedicated to providing exceptional pet care. As a Veterinary Assistant, you will play a crucial role in assisting veterinarians with patient treatment, monitoring hospitalized pets, and ensuring a high standard of care in a friendly environment. This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development, all while working with a team that treats every pet as family. If you have a passion for animals and a desire to make a difference, this position is perfect for you!

Benefits

Paid time off

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement benefits

Flexible work schedules

Career development

Employee Assistance Program

Employee Referral Program

Qualifications

• Previous veterinary experience preferred.
• Ability to work on weekends as required.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians with patient care and treatment.
• Monitor hospitalized pets and maintain inventory.
• Educate clients regarding veterinary care and procedures.

Skills

Patience & Compassion

Collaboration & Teamwork

Communication

Active Listening

Organization Skills

Client Satisfaction

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Basic Computer Skills

Job description

Practice:

Animal Tracks is a small animal clinic that offers a wide range of services including vaccines, surgery, dental cleanings, in-hospital bloodwork, digital radiographs, Ultrasound, boarding, and doggie daycare. The Animal Tracks team is a group of caring individuals dedicated to providing quality pet care in a warm, friendly, and family-like environment. Our passion is animals, and we treat each of our patients as family members.

More about the Role:

The Veterinary Assistant assists the veterinarians and technicians with patient care and treatment, monitors hospitalized pets, maintains inventory, prepares prescriptions, performs routine in-house laboratory work, educates clients regarding veterinary care and procedures, and assists with surgical procedures.

Competencies:

• Patience & Compassion: Remaining professional while still making teammates, clients, and patients feel as comfortable as possible regardless of the situation or challenges presented. Responding quickly and calmly to crisis while maintaining a high standard of patient care.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Carefully coordinating actions with veterinarians and practice team members. Providing feedback appropriately and in a timely manner. Quickly incorporating feedback to ensure positive results. Sharing ideas and being open to other’s ideas.
• Communicating: Conveying instructions to clients and teammates to ensure successful patient care.
• Active Listening: Following the instructions of veterinarians and sometimes patient owners. Picking up the needs of veterinarians and teammates based on prior experiences and feedback.
• Organization Skills: Clear tracking of lab specimens, medications, patient instructions, workflow, and other job-related items while managing multiple patients and clients.
• Client Satisfaction: Ensuring all activities and interactions result in the highest level of client satisfaction.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Assist veterinarians in the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery and other tasks as needed.
• Assist veterinarians in outpatient exams by taking histories, vital signs, and weights, as well as providing client education.
• Prepare patients for surgery and monitor vital signs of the patient during surgery.
• Obtain blood, stool, and other samples; perform in-hospital laboratory testing and prepare specimens for outside laboratories.
• Take, develop, and maintain radiographs following proper safety procedures.
• Provide basic animal handling and restrain animals during exams.
• Administer and monitor medications, anesthesia, vaccines, and treatments at the discretion of the veterinarian.
• Clean and straighten exam rooms, treatment, and lab areas; restock exam rooms with supplies. Assist other team members to keep the public areas of the practice clean; clean and maintain all medical equipment.
• Demonstrate warmth, courtesy and professionalism in all interactions with clients; exercise compassion and care in all interactions with patients.
• Communicate with veterinarians and practice team members including client discussions, patient plans, client concerns, etc.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Requirements/Qualifications:

• Ability to work on weekends as required
• Previous veterinary experience preferred
• Ability to lift patients and carry equipment up to 25 pounds; ability to lift patients or carry equipment over 25 pounds with assistance
• Practice OSHA safety techniques including proper PPE
• Basic math and the ability to calculate medication dosages
• Basic computer skills, familiarity with MS office applications, etc.
• Strong communication skills to ensure patient safety

Benefits Offered:

• Paid time off
• Health insurance; dental insurance; vision insurance
• Retirement benefits or accounts
• Bonus incentive
• Flexible work schedules
• Career and professional development
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Referral Program

Benefits offered may vary depending on full or part time employment status according to company policy.

Pay Range: USD $14.00 - USD $19.00 /Hr.