Veterinary Assistant

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc.; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in pet health and wellness seeks a dedicated Veterinary Assistant. This role is vital in providing exceptional medical care to pets and outstanding service to their owners. You will greet clients, assist in surgeries, and ensure a clean and welcoming environment. Join a passionate team committed to improving the lives of pets and their families, while enjoying growth opportunities in a supportive workplace that values diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Preferred to have at least 1-year experience in veterinary practice or related animal care.
• Must possess excellent communication skills and compassion.

Responsibilities

• Greet clients and patients, record vital signs, and document visits.
• Assist doctors with appointments, surgery, and patient care.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Compassion

Professionalism

Computer literacy

Ability to work in a physically demanding environment

Education

1-year experience in veterinary practice

Related animal care experience

Job description

Create a healthier, brighter future for pets, pet parents, and people!

If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self, and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you.

Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what’s right for pets, people, and our planet.

• We love all pets like our own
• We’re the future of the pet industry
• We’re here to improve lives
• We drive outstanding results together
• We’re welcome as we are

Petco is a category-defining health and wellness company focused on improving the lives of pets, pet parents, and Petco partners. We are 29,000 strong and operate 1,500+ pet care centers in the U.S., Mexico, and Puerto Rico, including 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics, and eight distribution centers. We’re focused on purpose-driven work, and strongly believe that what’s good for pets, people, and our planet is good for Petco.

Position Purpose:

The purpose of this position involves providing excellent medical care to our Vetco Total Care full-service hospital patients and phenomenal customer care to their owners. The Veterinary Assistant represents our mission and values to all clients. Our Veterinary Assistants set the tone for technical and customer support in the hospital, and are responsible for fostering cohesion and motivation within the team.

All hospital staff are responsible for performing their duties in a way that creates an environment where:

The patient’s needs always come first.

Every team member understands they have the power to do what it takes to create an exceptional customer experience.

Contentious issues are dealt with and resolved as they occur or as soon as possible.

Exceptional teamwork and commitment to shared goals benefit the entire organization.

Essential Job Functions

The incumbent must be able to perform all the following duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Greet clients and patients arriving for appointments, escort them into exam rooms, obtain weight and vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations), and record in the electronic medical record (EMR). Collect thorough patient histories and document visits.
• Assist doctors with appointments (routine and emergency), surgery, dentistry, and euthanasia, under supervision from the veterinarian, credentialed veterinary technician, HOM, and HLOD.
• Perform patient restraint, obtain and process laboratory samples, handle and dispense medications as directed by the veterinarian, and help maintain the EMR.
• Schedule appointments, provide client education, relay test results, and maintain/update client/patient records.
• Help prepare patients for surgical and dental procedures, assist in anesthetizing patients, monitor vital parameters during anesthesia, and assist with recovery and discharge preparations.
• Under supervision, perform in-hospital treatments including administering medications and intravenous fluids, keeping patients clean and fed, and walking canine patients for elimination.
• Assist in training new staff and disseminate knowledge as required under the supervision of the veterinarian or technician.
• Maintain a clean hospital environment, performing regular cleaning based on necessity and schedule.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform additional duties as assigned
• Provide backup phone and front desk support as needed

Supervision and Planning

In all patient care activities, the incumbent will take direct supervision from veterinarians and veterinary technicians, and overall direction from the HOM/HLOD or supervising technician for the shift.

Like all team members, the Veterinary Assistant plays a crucial role in ensuring efficient hospital operations and providing an optimal experience for patients and clients.

Impact

This position contributes to the growth of the practice, focusing on high-quality care, employee retention, patient well-being, and customer satisfaction, which impacts the organization positively.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no immediate supervisory duties.

Education/Experience

Preferred to have at least 1-year experience in veterinary practice or related animal care experience. Must have excellent communication skills, compassion, professionalism, and computer literacy. Willingness to learn, adapt, and work in a physically demanding environment is essential.

Contacts

This role involves regular communication with clients, veterinary specialists, and product/service providers.

Petco is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Our vision is Healthier Pets. Happier People. Better World. We focus on pet welfare, educating pet parents, and reducing our carbon footprint through initiatives like Think Adoption First, the Petco Foundation, and more. We seek passionate individuals who share our values and commitment to excellence, offering growth and development opportunities across our organization.