Veterinary Assistant at North Avenue Animal Hospital

Heartland Veterinary Partners LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 26,174 - 28,929; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement benefits or accounts

Flexible work schedules

Career and professional development

Employee Assistance Program

Employee Referral Program

Job summary

Heartland Veterinary Partners LLC supports North Avenue Animal Hospital, a full-service clinic with in-house testing, surgery, and a modern pharmacy. AAHA-accredited status reflects our commitment to high-quality care using digital x-ray, ultrasound, anesthesia monitoring, and EMR systems.

We are seeking a Veterinary Assistant to support veterinarians and technicians, monitor hospitalized pets, manage lab work, and educate clients.

Qualifications

• Patience and compassion when interacting with clients and patients.
• Strong collaboration with veterinarians and team members to achieve positive outcomes.
• Clear communication with clients and staff to ensure understanding of care plans.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians in veterinary medicine and surgery as needed.
• Assist outpatient exams by taking histories, vital signs, and weights; provide client education.
• Prepare patients for surgery and monitor vitals during surgery.
• Obtain blood, stool, and other samples; perform in-hospital lab tests; prepare specimens for outside labs.
• Take, develop, and maintain radiographs following safety procedures.
• Provide basic animal handling and restrain animals during exams.
• Administer and monitor medications, anesthesia, vaccines, and treatments.
• Clean and restock exam rooms and equipment; keep areas organized.
• Demonstrate warmth, courtesy and professionalism with clients and patients.
• Communicate with veterinarians and team about client discussions and patient plans.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Patience & Compassion

Collaboration & Teamwork

Communicating

Active Listening

Organization Skills

Client Satisfaction

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Practice:

North Avenue Animal Hospital provides a broad spectrum of diagnostic procedures through both in-house testing and the use of external laboratories. Our facility includes a well stocked pharmacy, in-hospital surgery suite, and a closely supervised hospitalization area. We utilize the latest technology, including anesthesia monitoring, digital x-ray, ultrasound, and electronic medical records. In addition, we work very closely with many local, specialized practices when such referrals are required.

Since 1999 our hospital has voluntarily achieved the high standards of The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), qualifying us as an accredited member of AAHA. These standards pertain to facilities, equipment, practice methods, and management. Our goal is to practice the highest quality medicine, and we are dedicated to becoming your partner in your pet’s health care, treating your pet as we would our own.

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 $19 - $21

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 $19.00 - USD $21.00 /Hr.