Veterinary Assistant at Davis Pet Hospital

Davis Pet Hospital; Collinsville (IL); On-site; USD 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Davis Pet Hospital in Collinsville, Illinois, is a full‑service veterinary hospital offering wellness care, surgery, internal medicine, hospitalization, and dental care. The Veterinary Assistant supports veterinarians and technicians with patient care, monitors hospitalized pets, and assists with surgeries.

You will educate clients, prepare prescriptions, perform routine in‑house laboratory work, and help maintain inventory and the facility.

Qualifications

• Weekend work as required.
• Previous veterinary experience preferred.
• Ability to lift patients and carry equipment up to 25 pounds; assist with heavier lifting.
• Practice OSHA safety techniques including proper PPE.
• Basic math and the ability to calculate medication dosages.
• Basic computer skills, familiarity with MS Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians in veterinary medicine and surgery.
• Take histories, monitor vital signs and weights during outpatient exams and educate clients.
• Prepare patients for surgery and monitor vital signs during procedures.
• Obtain blood, urine, stool samples and perform in-house lab tests.
• Take, develop and maintain radiographs following safety procedures.
• Handle and restrain animals during exams.
• Administer and monitor medications, vaccines, and anesthesia per veterinarian instruction.
• Clean and restock exam rooms and assist with inventory control.
• Demonstrate warmth, courtesy and professionalism with clients and patients.
• Communicate with veterinarians and team members about patient plans and concerns.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Patience & Compassion

Collaboration & Teamwork

Communicating

Active Listening

Organization Skills

Client Satisfaction

Job description

Practice

Davis Pet Hospital is a full service veterinary hospital offering wellness care, surgery, internal medicine, hospitalization, and dental care.As one of the few AAHA-accredited clinics in the area, our team of veterinarians and support staff adhere to the highest standards of facility and pet care.

More about the Role

The Veterinary Assistant assists the veterinarians and technicians with patient care and treatment, monitors hospitalized pets, maintains inventory, prepares prescriptions, performs routine in-house laboratory work, educates clients regarding veterinary care and procedures, and assists with surgical procedures.

Pay $16 - $18

Competencies

• Patience & Compassion: Remaining professional while still making teammates, clients, and patients feel as comfortable as possible regardless of the situation or challenges presented. Responding quickly and calmly to crisis while maintaining a high standard of patient care.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Carefully coordinating actions with veterinarians and practice team members. Providing feedback appropriately and in a timely manner. Quickly incorporating feedback to ensure positive results. Sharing ideas and being open to other’s ideas.
• Communicating: Conveying instructions to clients and teammates to ensure successful patient care.
• Active Listening: Following the instructions of veterinarians and sometimes patient owners. Picking up the needs of veterinarians and teammates based on prior experiences and feedback.
• Organization Skills: Clear tracking of lab specimens, medications, patient instructions, workflow, and other job-related items while managing multiple patients and clients.
• Client Satisfaction: Ensuring all activities and interactions result in the highest level of client satisfaction.

Essential Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians in the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery and other tasks as needed.
• Assist veterinarians in outpatient exams by taking histories, vital signs, and weights, as well as providing client education.
• Prepare patients for surgery and monitor vital signs of the patient during surgery.
• Obtain blood, stool, and other samples; perform in-hospital laboratory testing and prepare specimens for outside laboratories.
• Take, develop, and maintain radiographs following proper safety procedures.
• Provide basic animal handling and restrain animals during exams.
• Administer and monitor medications, anesthesia, vaccines, and treatments at the discretion of the veterinarian.
• Clean and straighten exam rooms, treatment, and lab areas; restock exam rooms with supplies. Assist other team members to keep the public areas of the practice clean; clean and maintain all medical equipment.
• Demonstrate warmth, courtesy and professionalism in all interactions with clients; exercise compassion and care in all interactions with patients.
• Communicate with veterinarians and practice team members including client discussions, patient plans, client concerns, etc.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Ability to work on weekends as required
• Previous veterinary experience preferred
• Ability to lift patients and carry equipment up to 25 pounds; ability to lift patients or carry equipment over 25 pounds with assistance
• Practice OSHA safety techniques including proper PPE
• Basic math and the ability to calculate medication dosages
• Basic computer skills, familiarity with MS office applications, etc.