Veterinary Assistant at Northwest Animal Hospital

Heartland Veterinary Partners LLC; Des Plaines (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; 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

Heartland Veterinary Partners LLC is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to support veterinarians and technicians with patient care, monitor hospitalized pets, and assist with surgeries in a busy clinic.

You will educate clients, prepare samples, perform in-house lab work, take radiographs, and help maintain clean, well-organized exam and treatment areas. Weekend availability is required.

Qualifications

• Patience and compassion when interacting with clients, patients, and teammates.
• Strong teamwork and clear communication with veterinarians and staff.
• Ability to convey instructions effectively to clients and team members.
• Active listening to understand veterinarians and client needs.
• Organizational skills to track lab specimens, medications, and workflows.
• Commitment to achieving high client satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians in medicine and surgery as needed.
• Take histories, vital signs, and weights during outpatient exams.
• Prepare patients for surgery and monitor during procedures.
• Collect samples and perform in-house lab tests.
• Take radiographs following safety procedures.
• Handle and restrain animals as required.
• Administer medications, anesthesia, vaccines, and treatments.
• Maintain clean, stocked exam rooms and equipment.
• Communicate with clients about plans and concerns.
• Support team and take on other duties as assigned.

Skills

Patience & Compassion

Collaboration & Teamwork

Communicating

Active Listening

Organization Skills

Client Satisfaction

Job description

Practice:

We are currently undergoing an exciting clinical evolution. With a brand-new DVM team at the helm, we are actively redefining our medical protocols and elevating the standard of care for every patient that walks through our doors. We built a patient-first environment from the ground up. This is a rare chance to join a practice where your input helps shape our new workflows and ultimately provide the best medical care for our patients. We are proud to highlight our intergrative medicine approach offering acupuncture, allergy testing, diet consultations, & supplements.

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 $18 - $22

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 $18.00 - USD $22.00 /Hr.