VETERINARY ASSISTANT

Mercury Animal Hospital, Inc.; Hampton (VA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Employee discount

Employee pet discount

Job summary

Mercury Animal Hospital, Inc. in Hampton, VA seeks a caring veterinary assistant to support nursing and client education, ensure patient safety and comfort, and help maintain continuity of care.

You will work with veterinarians and technicians to handle treatment areas, assist with injections, blood draws, dental cleanings, imaging, and medical record-keeping; must be able to restrain animals and stand long hours.

Qualifications

• Must have previous experience working in a veterinary clinic or animal care facility.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• NAVTA certification optional; experience suffices.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Able to stand long periods and restrain animals.

Responsibilities

• Clean and organize treatment spaces, rooms, cages, and labs.
• Assist with prescription administration, blood drawing, and dental cleaning.
• Provide compassionate care to hospitalized patients and educate owners.
• Perform diagnostic imaging and assist veterinarians.
• Maintain medical records and follow hospital policies.
• Educate pet owners on proper care and nutrition.

Skills

Animal care experience

Dexterous

Excellent communication

Team player

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

We’re seeking a caring veterinary assistant to help our veterinary team with nursing and other tasks. The veterinary assistant will provide pet health education to customers, guarantee patient safety and comfort, and manage treatment continuity. You’ll work with your coworkers to create a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere for patients. At all times, you will deliver professional and efficient service.

To be successful, you must like animals and be able to make them as comfortable as possible during treatment and hospitalization. Candidates that are dexterous, informed, and compassionate are preferred.

Veterinary Assistant Duties & Responsibilities:

• Cleaning and organizing treatment spaces, examination rooms, hospital areas, surgical areas, cages, and labs.
• Assuring that clients and their dogs feel at ease in the waiting area.
• Be able to provide compassionate care to hospitalized patients, as well as keeping the patients’ cages clean.
• Assisting with prescription administration, blood drawing, and dental cleaning for patients.
• Perform diagnostic imaging.
• Communicating with veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
• Following hospital guidelines, rules, regulations, and policies.
• Keeping track of medical records.
• Assist veterinarians in providing care for animals.
• Must be able to handle and restrain animals during examinations and procedures.
• Administer medications and treatments as directed by veterinarians.
• Must be able to perform laboratory tests and collect samples for analysis.
• Clean and sterilize equipment and instruments.
• Provide post-operative care to animals.
• Educate pet owners on proper animal care and nutrition.

Veterinary Assistant Requirements:

• Must have previous experience working in a veterinary clinic or animal care facility (REQUIRED).
• Must have a high school diploma, a GED, or an applicable equivalent.
• Veterinary assistant certification that has been granted by the NAVTA is optional, otherwise you do not have to have any formal certification other than experience at a veterinary hospital or other animal care facility for a minimum of (1) continuous year
• Animal affinities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Outstanding ability to organize.
• Physically strong and dexterous, as well as the ability to stand for long periods of time.

• Full-time schedule would include working:

  1. Working Monday-Friday, with at least one day off during the week

  2. Saturdays are REQUIRED for employment (every other)

• Knowledge of animal behavior, handling, and restraint techniques.
• Familiarity with common veterinary procedures and medications.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask.

• Benefits include:

  • Employee discount
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Employee pet discount
• NOTE: APPLICANTS MUST PREVIOUSLY HAVE WORKED AS A VETERINARY ASSISTANT (MUST SHOW ON RESUME) IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED!
• NOTE: PAY RATE IS BASED ON LENGTH OF TIME IN THIS FIELD AND SKILL LEVEL.
• NOTE: AT THIS TIME WE ARE NOT ACCEPTING "SEASONAL" EMPLOYEES