Veterinary Summer Student Patient Care Associate

Animal Emergency & Specialty Center - Knoxville; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pet hospital is seeking a Summer Student Patient Care Associate to enhance their skills in veterinary medicine. This full-time role offers hands-on experience in specialty and emergency medicine, assisting with patient care and client communication. Ideal for veterinary students looking for practical exposure in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Opportunities for growth and advancement

Access to continuing education and training resources

Supportive work environment

Commitment to diversity and equal opportunity

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled full-time in an AVMA-accredited DVM/VMD or veterinary technician program.
• Available for 8-12 weeks between May and September.

Responsibilities

• Assist with patient care and client communication.
• Perform basic physical examinations and collect patient vital signs.
• Support clinicians during exams and diagnostic workups.

Skills

Veterinary Terminology

Patient Restraint

Communication

Education

AVMA-accredited DVM/VMD or veterinary technician program

Job description

BluePearl Pet Hospital

is seeking a dedicated Summer Student Patient Care Associate to join their team!

Are you passionate about animals? Looking to enhance your skills and learn more about the veterinary health industry? Enjoy working in a fast-paced, team environment? If you answered "yes" to these questions, we would love to hear from you.

The summer student patient care associate is a full-time student enrolled in an AVMA-accredited Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or veterinary technician/technologist/nursing training program. Students will be employed as temporary associates for 8-12 weeks, between May and September. This role offers immersion in specialty and emergency medicine to augment your current medical knowledge and technical skills. You will assist doctors, technicians, and advanced patient care associates with all aspects of patient care and client communication.

As a Summer Student Patient Care Associate, you will:

1. Possess knowledge of basic veterinary terminology and abbreviations
2. Able to safely restrain canine and feline patients
3. Perform basic physical examinations and collect patient vital signs
4. Triages patients over the phone and in person
5. Collect basic histories from clients
6. Input patient data into the medical record system, documenting treatments and communications
7. Assist clinicians and technicians during exams and diagnostic workups
8. Communicate discharge instructions effectively to clients
9. Support clinicians and clients during the euthanasia process
10. Participate in basic and advanced life support as directed
11. Perform phlebotomy and place intravenous catheters
12. Administer subcutaneous fluids, SQ, IM, or IV injections
13. Operate basic equipment like fluid pumps and monitors
14. Run in-house diagnostic tests such as CBC, chemistry panels, urinalysis, and blood gases
15. Obtain diagnostic-quality radiographs using proper techniques
16. For students with advanced experience: assist with urinary catheter placement, bandaging, intubation, anesthesia monitoring, and advanced procedures like endoscopy or surgery

Qualifications:

• Must be enrolled full-time in an AVMA-accredited DVM/VMD or veterinary technician/technologist/nursing program
• Available for 8-12 weeks between May and September
• No prior emergency or specialty experience required; animal experience preferred

Why BluePearl?

• Opportunities for growth and advancement through skill development and leadership programs
• Access to extensive continuing education and training resources
• Supportive, family-like work environment emphasizing teamwork and respect
• Commitment to diversity and equal opportunity employment