Veterinary Assistant

Petco; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Petco in State College is looking for a Veterinary Assistant to deliver excellent medical care and customer service to both patients and their owners. The role includes greeting clients, managing appointments, and assisting in various veterinary procedures.

The ideal candidate should have a year's experience in veterinary practice, be compassionate, have excellent communication skills, and the ability to work in a team environment.

Qualifications

• Must have at least one year of previous experience working in a veterinary practice or related animal care experience.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must have telephone and computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Greet clients and patients for appointments and record vital signs.
• Assist doctors with routine and emergency appointments.
• Schedule appointments and provide client education.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Compassion and empathy

Team player

Education

Experience in a veterinary practice

Job description

Position Purpose

The purpose of this position inherently 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 the mission and values to all clients, sets the tone for the technical and customer support in the hospital, and supports cohesion and motivation within the practice.

• The patient’s needs always come first.
• Every team member understands that they have the power 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 an exam room, obtain weight and vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations), and record the electronic medical record. Veterinary Assistants collect thorough patient histories and document the patient visit in the EMRs.
• Assist doctors with routine and emergency appointments, surgery, dentistry, and euthanasia, under supervision from the veterinarian, credentialed veterinary technician, HOM, or HLOD.
• Perform patient restraint, obtain and process laboratory samples, handle and dispense medications at the direction of the veterinarian, and maintain the electronic medical record.
• Schedule appointments, provide client education, relay test results to doctors and clients, and maintain and update client/patient records.
• Help prepare patients for surgical and dental procedures and assist the doctor and/or veterinary technician in anesthetizing patients. Under supervision, assistants maintain patients safely under anesthesia while monitoring vital parameters, help monitor patients during recovery, and prepare them for hospital discharge or transfer to an overnight care facility.
• Perform in‑hospital treatments for sick patients, including giving injectable and oral medications and administering intravenous fluid therapy. Keep patients clean, watered, and fed when indicated, and walk canine patients when necessary for elimination.
• Assist the HOM/HLOD in training new staff members and disseminating knowledge as required.
• Keep the hospital environment neat and clean; perform regular cleaning based on necessity and a predetermined maintenance schedule.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

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

Nature of Supervision

In all activities related to the care of individual patients, the incumbent will take direct supervision from the veterinarians as well as the Veterinary Technician. For overall supervision, the incumbent takes direction from the HOM/HLOD or from the supervising technician for the shift.

Planning and Problem Solving

Like all team members, the Veterinary Assistant plays a crucial role in ensuring that day-to-day operations of the hospital are efficient and provide an optimal experience for our patients and clients.

Impact

This position will impact the organization by contributing to the growth of a productive practice while maintaining a high-quality standard of care. From an overall hospital perspective, the role is critical to ensuring a cohesive, well-trained, and motivated technical team. The desired end‑result is an optimal environment that ensures employee retention, patient well‑being, and customer satisfaction.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no immediate supervisory duties.

Education/Experience

• Preferred to have at least one year of previous experience working in a veterinary practice or sufficient related animal care experience to ensure excellent performance of the listed skills.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be compassionate and sympathetic, and be able to maintain a professional attitude and demeanor during emotional and stressful situations.
• Must have telephone and computer skills.
• Must be a team player willing to learn new techniques and treatments, offer creative ideas, and accept change.

Work Environment

The majority of job duties are conducted in the Veterinary Hospital. The position requires bending, kneeling, lifting (up to 30 pounds, as necessary) and standing for long periods of time. A large amount of this role’s time will be spent in direct contact with clients and their pets.

Contacts

This position will regularly communicate with clients, veterinary specialists, and companies that provide products and/or services that the practice utilizes.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification.