Veterinary Assistant at Western Trails Veterinary Hospital

Western Trails Veterinary Hospital; New Mexico; On-site; USD 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement benefits

Flexible work schedules

Career and professional development

Employee Assistance Program

Employee Referral Program

Job summary

Western Trails Veterinary Hospital in Edgewood, NM is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to support veterinarians and technicians with patient care, exams, and surgical procedures. You will monitor hospitalized pets, assist with prescriptions, and educate clients on procedures and care.

The role requires weekend availability, basic math for dosages, and comfortable handling animals. Training and benefits accompany a team-focused, caring practice environment.

Qualifications

• Patience, compassion and professionalism with clients, patients and teammates.
• Ability to collaborate with veterinarians and staff to ensure positive outcomes.
• Clear communication of instructions to clients and team members.
• Active listening to understand patient needs and owner concerns.
• Strong organizational skills for tracking samples, meds and workflows.
• Focus on client satisfaction in every interaction.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians in medical and surgical procedures as needed.
• Take histories, vital signs and weights during outpatient exams and educate clients.
• Prepare patients for surgery and monitor vitals during procedures.
• Collect samples (blood, stool, etc.) and run in-house lab tests.
• Take radiographs following safety procedures and maintain equipment.
• Handle animals gently and restrain during exams.
• Administer medications, vaccines and treatments per veterinarian instructions.
• Maintain clean and stocked exam rooms and assist with lab areas.
• Communicate plans and concerns with veterinarians and clients.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Patience & Compassion

Collaboration & Teamwork

Communicating

Active Listening

Organization Skills

Client Satisfaction

Job description

Practice

Western Trails Veterinary Hospital is the premier hospital if you live in Edgewood, Moriarty, Albuquerque, Tijeras, Sandia Park, Estancia, or the surrounding area and need a trusted veterinarian to care for your pet, small farm animals, or livestock.

In addition to the hospital and 3-stall barn, we have a full-service mobile unit for house/farm calls.

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 $16.00 - USD $18.00 /Hr.