Veterinary Assistant

A Caring Doctor (Minnesota), P.A.; Coon Rapids (MN); On-site; USD 23,129 - 29,563; Full time

Job summary

VCA Inc. in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to support veterinarians and provide high-quality pet care. Responsibilities include assisting with procedures, educating clients on pet health, and ensuring safety in the hospital.

The ideal candidate should have a certificate from a NAVTA approved program, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks. Compensation ranges from $16.79 to $21.46 per hour, depending on experience.

Qualifications

• One year related experience required; customer service experience preferred.
• Must be at least 18 years old to perform radiography duties.
• Ability to work at a computer for long periods.

Responsibilities

• Assist the veterinarian during procedures and monitor pets.
• Educate clients about pet health needs and hospital services.
• Ensure a clean and safe hospital environment.

Skills

Communication skills: fluent English

Client service skills

Organizational ability

Problem solving

Technical skills

Education

Certificate from NAVTA approved Veterinary Assistant program

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Medical software

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Overview

The Veterinary Assistant supports the veterinarians and veterinary technicians in ensuring quality veterinary care for all pets, advocates for pets, educates clients on all aspects of pet health, and ensures a safe and effective hospital environment.

Responsibilities

• Live and exemplify the Five Principles of Mars, Inc. within self and team.
• Act as the extra eyes, ears and hands for the veterinarian and veterinary technician to ensure the best quality pet care and to maximize the veterinarian's and veterinary technician’s productivity. Communicate with veterinarian, veterinary technicians and all other associates to maintain the flow of patients.
• Provide professional, efficient and exceptional service at all times. This includes performing or preparing procedures that do not require veterinarian or veterinary technician assistance, completing preparatory work for other procedures, ensuring that clients and pets are comfortable in the hospital, and monitoring hospitalized or surgical pets as allowed in the state practice acts.
• Educate clients about Optimum Wellness Plans, preventive care, pet health needs, hospital services and other issues.
• Obtain relevant information and history from clients and maintain proper and complete medical charts.
• Ensure the safety of pets, clients and associates by utilizing safe restraining techniques, following standard protocols, and maintaining clean, sterile and organized treatment areas, exam rooms and labs.
• Assist with surgery as applicable.
• Utilize technical skills to the fullest, within state practice acts and as outlined in the NAVTA guidelines for veterinary assistant skills and duties.
• Mentor other paraprofessionals in the hospital.
• Other job duties as assigned.

The Five Principles

• Quality
• Responsibility
• Mutuality
• Efficiency
• Freedom

Hiring Qualifications and Competencies

• Leadership: Action Oriented, Customer Focus, Listening, Peer Relationships, Personal Learning
• Functional: Ensure medical quality, Effective communication
• Drive for results, Prioritization

Capabilities and Experience (Can Do)

• Ability to multi-task and manage multiple tasks with accuracy under distracting conditions.
• Communication skills: fluent English, strong written and verbal communication.
• Organizational ability; systematic approach to assignments.
• Problem solving: identify, analyze and translate problems into practical solutions.
• Client service skills: attentive, courteous and informative service.
• Intellectual ability: follow instructions and provide directions.
• Mathematical ability: basic arithmetic and unit conversion.
• Computer skills: proficient with medical software and Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel.

Attitudes (Will Do)

• Initiative, integrity, cooperativeness, flexibility, independence, resilience.

Special Working Conditions

• Ability to work at a computer for long periods; capable around pets; may require more than 40 hours per week including weekends and evenings.
• Noise level is moderately high; must have ambulatory ability to perform duties in hospital; ability to lift up to 50 pounds; good hand-eye coordination and vision requirements.
• Exposure to pets that may bite or scratch; exposure to anesthesia, radiation, biological hazards and medications as applicable.

Experience, Education and/or Training

• Certificate from a NAVTA approved Veterinary Assistant program, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Must be at least 18 years old to perform radiography duties.
• One year related experience required; customer service experience preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

The pay range for this role is $16.79 - $21.46 hourly. Benefits information is provided for context and may vary by employment status and location. Benefits eligibility is based on employment status; Full-time associates are eligible for all benefits; Part-time associates are eligible for those benefits with an asterisk.