Veterinary Assistant at Ham Lake Veterinary Hospital

Heartland Veterinary Partners; Andover (MN); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement benefits or accounts

Bonus incentive

Flexible work schedules

Career and professional development

Employee Assistance Program

Employee Referral Program

Job summary

Ham Lake Veterinary Hospital is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to support veterinarians and technicians in patient care, monitoring hospitalized pets, and assisting with surgical procedures.

The position involves preparing prescriptions, conducting in-house lab work, taking radiographs, and educating clients about care and procedures. Weekend work may be required; prior veterinary experience is preferred, with a strong emphasis on safety, accuracy, and compassionate client service.

Qualifications

• Weekend work availability may be required.
• Previous veterinary experience preferred.
• Ability to lift patients and equipment up to 25 pounds; lift with assistance beyond 25 pounds.
• Adherence to OSHA safety practices including PPE.
• Basic math for dosage calculations.
• Basic computer skills, familiarity with MS Office.
• Strong communication to ensure patient safety.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians with medicine and surgery tasks as needed.
• Take histories, vital signs, and weights during outpatient exams and educate clients.
• Prepare patients for surgery and monitor during procedures.
• Obtain and process samples; perform in-house lab work and prepare specimens for outside labs.
• Take and develop radiographs following safety procedures.
• Care for and restrain animals during exams.
• Administer and monitor medications, anesthesia, vaccines, and treatments as directed.
• Keep exam rooms and labs clean and stocked; support team and maintain equipment.
• Demonstrate warmth and professionalism with clients and patients.
• Communicate effectively with veterinarians, staff, and clients.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Patience

Compassion

Collaboration

Teamwork

Communication

Active Listening

Organization

Client Satisfaction

Job description

Practice:

Ham Lake Veterinary Hospital practices Preventive Medicine, General Medicine, and General Surgery. We have digital radiography, a full in-house lab, and reference laboratory availability for sending out more involved testing. We love serving the Ham Lake/East Bethel area and find our country setting quiet and relaxing.

Our hospital began in 2005 and since then has grown to employ an over 20 person team of veterinarians, technicians, and receptionists.

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 $20 - $26

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.
• Strong communication skills to ensure patient safety

Benefits Offered:

• Paid time off
• Health insurance; dental insurance; vision insurance
• Retirement benefits or accounts
• Bonus incentive
• Flexible work schedules
• Career and professional development
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Referral Program

Benefits offered may vary depending on full or part time employment status according to company policy.

Pay Range:

USD $20.00 - USD $26.00 /Hr.