Veterinary Assistant

A Caring Doctor (Minnesota), P.A.; Rochester (MN); On-site; USD 23,419 - 28,929; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Total rewards package

Job summary

Banfield is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to support veterinarians and technicians, educate clients on pet health, and ensure a safe hospital environment. The role requires NAVTA-certified skills and strong client service. You will assist with procedures, maintain medical records, and mentor junior staff.

The hospital emphasizes a proactive approach to animal care and client communication. The position aligns with a full-time, on-site role in a busy practice, offering a comprehensive benefits

Qualifications

• Certificate from NAVTA-approved Veterinary Assistant program or equivalent.
• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Must be able to perform NAVTA-certified veterinary assistant skills at a level that aids practice efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Support veterinarians and technicians to ensure quality care.
• Educate clients on pet health and hospital services.
• Obtain patient history and maintain medical charts.
• Ensure safety and cleanliness of treatment areas and labs.
• Assist with surgical procedures as applicable.
• Mentor paraprofessionals in the hospital.
• Maintain professional, efficient client service at all times.

Skills

Leadership

Action Oriented

Customer Focus

Listening

Peer Relationships

Personal Learning

Quality of care

Effective communication

Drive for results

Priority Setting

Education

NAVTA Veterinary Assistant certificate

High School Diploma

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Overview

If you are a current associate, you will need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs.

Summary of Job Purpose and Function

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.

Essential Responsibilities and Tasks

• 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 - The consumer is our boss, quality is our work and value for money is our goal.
• Responsibility - As individuals, we demand total responsibility from ourselves; as associates, we support the responsibility of others.
• Mutuality - A mutual benefit is a shared benefit; a shared benefit will endure.
• Efficiency - We use resources to the full, waste nothing and do only what we can do best.
• Freedom - We need freedom to shape our future; we need profit to remain free.

Hiring Qualifications

• Competencies – Leadership: Action Oriented, Customer Focus, Listening, Peer Relationships, Personal Learning.
• Functional – Ensure medical quality; Effective communication; Drive for results; Functional Skills; Priority Setting.

Capabilities and Experience (CAN DO)

• Ability to multi-task – manages multiple tasks at one time; can shift attention among tasks under distracting conditions without loss of accuracy.
• Communication skills – Reads, writes and speaks fluent English; strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Organizational ability – Systematic approach; orderly and able to turn confusion into order.
• Problem solving – Identifies, analyzes and solves problems; translates problems into practical solutions.
• Client service skills – Attentive, courteous and informative service; delivers great service.
• Intellectual ability – Follows instructions delivered in oral, written or diagram format; can provide directions.
• Mathematical ability – Basic arithmetic and unit conversion.
• Computer skills – Proficient with computer and medical software, Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel.

Attitudes (WILL DO)

• Initiative – Takes steps to find solutions; takes on additional responsibility when needed.
• Integrity – Adheres to values and ethics; honesty and sound judgment.
• Cooperativeness – Willing to work with others; shares information.
• Flexibility – Open to changing situations and opportunities; performs all tasks assigned.
• Independence – Able to perform tasks without supervision as appropriate.
• Tolerance for Stress / Resiliency – Maintains a positive outlook and composure in stressful situations.

Special Working Conditions

• Ability to work at a computer for long periods.
• Confidence around pets (dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, etc.).
• May require more than 40 hours per week; includes weekends and evenings.
• Must have reasoning, memory, mathematics and language abilities to perform duties proficiently.
• Moderately high noise level in the work environment.
• Ambulatory requirements to perform duties at the hospital.
• Physical requirements: stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb; lift/carry up to 50 pounds.
• Good hand-eye coordination and dexterity; visual acuity for keyboard use and equipment operation.
• Vision requirements: close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and focus adjustment.
• Exposure to pets, anesthesia, radiation, biological hazards and medications.

Experience, Education and/or Training

• Certificate from NAVTA-approved Veterinary Assistant program, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Must be able to perform NAVTA-certified veterinary assistant skills at a level that aids practice efficiency.
• Must be at least 18 years old to perform radiography and exposure to radioactive substances.
• One year related experience required; customer service experience preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

The pay range for this role is $16.79 - $21.46 hourly. The exact rate is determined based on experience, skill level and location, and may vary according to applicable minimum wage laws.

Banfield offers a comprehensive total rewards package including health, wellness and financial benefits. Benefits eligibility is based on employment status. Full-time associates are eligible for all benefit programs; part-time associates are eligible for those benefits with an asterisk.

About Us

Banfield is a community of caring people with a commitment to providing a better world for pets. We uphold an inclusive environment and focus on the health and well-being of our associates.