Veterinary Assistant

Columbia River VetERinary Specialists; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at a leading veterinary hospital, where you will play a crucial role in providing exceptional care to pets in need. This position offers a dynamic work environment, allowing you to sharpen your skills while supporting critically ill patients. Enjoy a competitive hourly wage, excellent work-life balance, and opportunities for professional growth. The hospital prides itself on its core values of integrity, respect, and teamwork, ensuring a supportive atmosphere for both staff and clients. If you are passionate about animal care and thrive in an emergency setting, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

401k with company match

Paid Time Off/Holiday Pay

Professional Mentorship

Annual CE Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2+ years experience in ER/Critical Care.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with clients.
• Experience in surgical assistance and anesthesia.

Responsibilities

• Assist DVMs and LVTs with patient treatments and documentation.
• Maintain cleanliness of the hospital and manage client communication.
• Handle critical patients with compassion and professionalism.

Skills

Effective Communication

Phlebotomy

IVC Placement

Aseptic Technique

Restraint Techniques

Documentation Skills

Customer Service

Compassionate Care

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Centrifuge

Laboratory Equipment

Job description

Veterinary Assistant

Columbia River Veterinary Specialists of Vancouver, WA is seeking a full-time, experienced Veterinary Assistant. Here at CRVS we take great pride in providing a friendly, supportive, and enjoyable work environment while the challenges of emergency veterinary medicine allow employees to sharpen their skills.

Available shift is Thursday through Saturday, 8am-8pm.

Veterinary Assistants on our team carry out DVM orders, assisting DVMs and LVTs by conducting patient treatments, documentation on medical records, aid in client/doctor communication and maintain cleanliness of the hospital. For this position, we are looking for candidates with previous experience in providing care and treatment to hospitalized cases, including critically ill/injured patients. Successful candidates must also be able to provide clear, respectful, compassionate communication to clients, patients and colleagues which is of the greatest importance.

At CRVS, we experience high volumes of critical/emergent patients- these patients have owners that are under a great deal of emotional stress. It is important to have skills necessary to not only handle critical or aggressive patients, but also communicate effectively and kindly with owners and co-workers.

We strive to provide safe (for animal and nurse) handling of cats, dogs, and exotics while maintaining optimal patient comfort.

Our Team

CRVS has been an established emergency and specialty veterinary hospital in the Vancouver/Portland area for over 30 years, providing emergency, critical care and specialty services for community pets and their owners. Our team of dedicated veterinary professionals share a collective philosophy and mission to provide pets with state-of-the-art care and service. We work together to make sure your pet only receives exceptional and specialized care, regardless of the complexity and severity of their health issues. Our specialty services include Surgery, Ophthalmology, and Internal Medicine.

Our Core Values

Our team came together and chose these Core Values to be our guiding principles for the decisions we make and the actions we take throughout our work day:

• Integrity: Using common sense to do the right thing throughout the course of our work day; showing humility and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable in accepting feedback; being accountable for our actions and behaviors.
• Respect: Approaching others with kindness, employing empathy and understanding during all of our interactions; displaying a sincere concern for the feelings of others.
• Teamwork: Utilizing a positive mindset and creative approach to problem solve any issue that may arise; seeking common ground to strengthen relationships and build mutual trust.
• Communication: Engaging continually with each other throughout the work day with purpose, good intentions and compassion to help each other succeed.
• Growth: Seeking knowledge with curiosity and an open mind to have a deeper understanding about what we do in order to continually improve ourselves and our work.

Successful Candidateswill possess the following skills and knowledge:

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with staff and clients alike
• Phlebotomy and IVC placement
• Ability to notate record for patients receiving CPR
• Understanding Isolation protocols
• Understand aseptic technique and surgical preparation
• Know common medications, their indications and route of administration
• Advanced Pharmaceutical knowledge of injectable medications and dosing
• Administration of IV Fluids, commonly used medications and dosing during fluid therapies including constant rate infusions
• Understand/prioritization regarding patients need for immediate care
• Practice proper restraint techniques to prevent injury to patients, self and coworkers.
• Knowledge and proper use of different restraint/safety devices
• Centrifuge and stat spin use and other laboratory equipment
• Proper set up for fecal floats, smears, and cytology
• Proper use/completion of lab forms and logs
• Documentation including client communications, treatments and controlled drug logs

Additional Information:

The list of essential skills and experience as outlined in this job description, is intended to be representative of the skills needed within this position. The omission of any job function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a required assignment for the position.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED
• Minimum of 2+ Years Veterinary Assistant experience in ER/Critical Care
• Minimum of 2+ Years Veterinary Assistant experience in Surgery/Anesthesia
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrate excellent customer service skills
• Basic computer skills
• The ability to lift, push and pull up to 40lbs
• Ability to withstand long hours of standing, squatting, kneeling and walking
• Adapt to an ever-changing work environment
• Maintain objectivity during highly stressful/emotional situations
• Keep a positive and professional demeanor during interactions with clients and team members, leading by example

We Offer our Veterinary Assistants:

• Competitive Hourly Wage + Overnight Shift Differential Pay (when applicable)
• Excellent Work-Life Balance (consistent scheduling)
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance – with company contribution HSA account
• 401k with company match
• Paid Time Off/Holiday Pay
• Professional Mentorship
• Annual CE Reimbursement
• Career Growth and Development Opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program

Our Community:

Nestled along the north banks of the Columbia River across from Portland, the City of Vancouver boasts an urban feel but with plenty of rural access to the bounty of outdoor activities people yearn for in the Pacific Northwest! With close proximity to the Portland Metro area, and a robust offering of services right here in Vancouver, you can enjoy a wide variety of social activities including great restaurants, theaters, parks and recreation as well as a diverse culture. Within easy driving distance, you can also explore Washington and Oregon coastal communities and beaches, rivers, lakes and the many mountains of the Cascade-range, including the historic Mt. Saint Helens Volcanic area. Vancouver is also family friendly with great schools, safe neighborhoods and a great quality of life.

Join the PetVet Care Center Team!

CRVS is a proud member of the PetVet Care Center Team! PetVet Care Centers, Inc. is one of the nation's leading operators of veterinary hospitals for companion animals. The company operates over 450 hospitals across multiple states and employs over 11,000 people including over 800 veterinarians. Since its inception, PetVet has been structured around a model that is focused on developing a partnership between the hospitals and the company and providing the highest quality medicine and service.

PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V

PetVet respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. Please see our privacy notice for additional information about our data practices.

***ILWUL Local 5 is the representing union for employees at the Columbia River Veterinary Specialists located at 6607 NE 84^th St., Vancouver, WA 98665.

Pay Range

$22—$28 USD

PetVet Care Centers, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading operators of veterinary hospitals for companion animals. The company operates over 450 hospitals across multiple states and employs over 11,000 people including over 800 veterinarians. Since its inception, PetVet has been structured around a model that is focused on developing a partnership between the hospitals and the company and providing the highest quality medicine and service.

PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V

PetVet respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. Please see ourprivacy noticefor additional information about our data practices.