Veterinary Assistant

Nelson Animal Hospital; Littleton (CO); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Nelson Animal Hospital in Colorado is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to support the veterinary team as a primary assistant to technicians and veterinarians. You will help restrain animals, set up exam rooms, and assist with routine tasks to improve clinic efficiency.

The role involves compassionate patient care, accurate medical record-keeping, and clear client communication. Training is available; lifting up to 40 lbs and exposure to animals is expected as part of daily duties.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• On-the-job training desirable but not required.
• Physical effort: lifting and carrying records and equipment up to 40 lbs; standing for extended periods.
• Working conditions: exposure to odors, noises, and animal feces; possible bites, scratches, and contagious diseases.

Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate care to patients and clients.
• Maintain professional conduct under stress and during multiple tasks.
• Legibly keep accurate medical records per hospital policy.
• Prepare and maintain exam rooms and treatment areas.
• Perform physical assessments and record observations in patient files or computer.
• Safely restrain pets, including large or difficult ones.
• Explain vaccines and vaccination protocols to clients.
• Keep facility clean and orderly as part of daily duties.
• Prepare estimates for procedures and discuss financial commitments with clients.
• Explain necessary follow-up and home care instructions.
• Care for surgical materials and keep the operating room stocked and ready.
• Set up clinical labs such as fecal flotation, heartworm checks, skin scrapings, urinalysis, ear cytology and fungal cultures.
• Position for radiographs and manage imaging setup.
• Understand IV pumps and their care.
• Admit patients following hospital policy and doctor orders.
• Discharge patients as ordered, ensuring grooming and medical readiness.

Skills

Compassionate care

Professionalism

Animal handling

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Description Veterinary Assistant

The veterinary technician assistant is the veterinary technician’s primary support.

They assist in restraining pets and test set up for the examination procedure.

They aid the technicians in achieving greater efficiency by relieving them of some of the routine work.

They have a very significant role in freeing up the technicians to assist the veterinarian with medical procedures.

Position Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous on-the-job training desirable but not required.
• Physical Effort: Work requires lifting and carrying records and equipment weighing up to 40 lbs; and standing for extended periods of time.
• Working conditions: May be exposed to unpleasant odors, noises, and animal feces. May be exposed to bites, scratches, and contagious diseases.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Can provide compassionate care to patients and clients.
• Can conduct oneself confidently and professionally even when stressed and/or focused on individual tasks.
• Can legibly keep accurate medical records in accordance with hospital policy.
• Can prepare and maintain the exam rooms and treatment areas.
• Can perform physical assessments; record observations legibly in files or on the computer.
• Can effectively restrain pets even when large or difficult.
• Knows all common vaccines and vaccination protocols and can explain to clients.
• Understands the importance of a clean and orderly facility, does not hesitate to clean or organize as part of a normal job duty.
• Maintains positive, cooperative relationships with other employees.
• Can prepare estimates for procedures and discuss financial commitments with clients, supporting hospital financial policies.
• Can explain necessary follow-up and home care instructions.
• Can properly care for all surgical materials and equipment; keep the operating room properly stocked and prepared for surgery.
• Can set up clinical laboratory procedures such as fecal flotation exams, heartworm checks, skin scrapings, urinalysis, ear cytology and fungal cultures; maintains a file of lab test results and ensures that test results are recorded in patient records.
• Can effectively position for and take radiographs.
• Understands the use and care of IV pumps.
• Can admit patients following hospital policy and the doctor's written orders.
• Can discharge patients based on the veterinarian’s orders, ensuring that patients are well groomed and in a medically appropriate state.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including assisting in other areas as requested.