Veterinary Assistant at Highlands Veterinary Center

Highlands Veterinary Center, Inc.; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 19,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement benefits

Bonus incentive

Flexible work schedules

Career and professional development

Employee Assistance Program

Employee Referral Program

Pet discounts

Job summary

Highlands Veterinary Center, Inc. is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to support veterinarians and technicians in patient care, handling exams, and clinical procedures in a small animal practice. The role includes in-house lab work, client education, and assisting with surgeries as needed.

The ideal candidate will have weekend availability, basic math and computer skills, and prior veterinary experience. We offer benefits and a supportive team environment in Chesapeake, VA.

Qualifications

• Ability to work on weekends as required.
• Previous veterinary experience preferred.
• Basic math for medication dosages.
• Basic computer skills (MS Office).
• Strong communication for patient safety.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians and technicians with patient care and treatment.
• Assist outpatient exams by taking histories, vital signs, and weights; provide client education.
• Obtain samples and perform in-house laboratory tests; prepare for outside labs.
• Handle and restrain animals during exams.
• Maintain exam rooms, treatment and lab areas; restock supplies; keep equipment clean.
• Communicate with veterinarians and team members; discuss patient plans and concerns.

Skills

Patience & Compassion

Collaboration

Communication

Active Listening

Organization

Client Satisfaction

MS Office

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Practice

We are a dedicated small animal veterinary practice that treats you and your pets like family. We have been serving our animal patients and their families for almost 40 years.

Theveterinarians and staff at our clinicare ready to provide your pet with cutting-edge veterinary medical care. From wellness exams and vaccines to advanced diagnostics and complex surgical procedures, your dog, cat, or ferret will receive high-quality care at our hospital.

More about the Role

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

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.
• Obtain blood, stool, and other samples; perform in-hospital laboratory testing and prepare specimens for outside lab.
• Provide basic animal handling and restrain animals during exams.
• 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
• Pet discounts and uniform allowance

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

Pay Range

USD $14.00 - USD $15.00 /Hr.