Veterinary Assistant at Pinnacle Animal Hospital

Heartland Veterinary Partners LLC; Arden (DE); On-site; USD 25,000 - 28,000; 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

Pinnacle Animal Hospital is a full-service companion animal hospital serving Asheville, Arden, Fletcher and surrounding areas. The Veterinary Assistant supports veterinarians and technicians with patient care, monitors hospitalized pets, maintains inventory, performs in-house lab work, and educates clients on care and procedures.

The role emphasizes teamwork, warmth, and professionalism in every client interaction.

Qualifications

• Patience and compassion when dealing with clients, patients, and teammates.
• Ability to collaborate with veterinarians and support staff to achieve positive patient outcomes.
• Clear and effective communication with clients and team members.
• Active listening to understand client concerns and patient needs.
• Strong organization to track lab samples, medications and instructions.
• Commitment to high levels of client satisfaction in all interactions.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians and technicians with examinations and treatments.
• Take histories, vital signs, and weights during outpatient exams.
• Prepare patients for surgery and monitor during procedures.
• Collect samples and perform in-house lab work; prep for outside labs.
• Take radiographs following safety procedures; maintain equipment.
• Handle and restrain animals during exams as needed.
• Administer medications, vaccines and anesthetics as directed.
• Maintain clean and stocked exam rooms and treatment areas.
• Communicate treatment plans and client instructions effectively.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Patience & Compassion

Collaboration & Teamwork

Communicating

Active Listening

Organization Skills

Client Satisfaction

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Practice:

Pinnacle Animal Hospital is a full-service companion animal hospital serving Asheville, Arden, Fletcher, and the surrounding areas.

Founded in 2012 with the tag line 'Compassionate Care for Pets and Their People', our hospital was designed so we wouldn't be looked at as just another 'regular' animal hospital. We have proudly provided industry leading care to dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, reptiles, and other furry/scaly creatures for over a decade.

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.

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 $20.00 /Hr.