Veterinary Assistant - ECC

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 31,161 - 33,530; Full time

Job summary

The University of Minnesota is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to competently assist Clinicians with veterinary medical procedures, ensuring quality patient care and supporting our veterinary medical teams.

Responsibilities include assisting with patient treatments, providing outstanding customer service, and maintaining a safe working environment.

This role requires strong interpersonal skills and a minimum of one year of relevant experience. The pay range is $22.62 - $24.34 per hour based on qualifications.

Qualifications

• Must have experience with animal restraint and veterinary terminology.
• Ability to administer medications and provide patient first aid.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and strong interpersonal abilities.

Responsibilities

• Assist DVM and CVT with various veterinary procedures and treatments.
• Provide excellent customer service and communicate with care teams.
• Maintain a clean environment and ensure equipment is functional.

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Animal restraint

Veterinary terminology

Problem solving skills

Medication administration

Education

One year of post high school experience or education in veterinary assisting

Tools

PC and software proficiency

Job description

Description of Position

Competently assists Clinicians and other medical staff members with veterinary medical procedures which may include (but are not limited to) specialty care, emergency care, intensive care, radiography, administering treatments, animal nursing, animal restraint and handling, preventative care, clinical research, etc. within assigned service area as well as across functions as needed.

Essential Functions

• Assists DVM and CVT with patient treatments, drop off discharges, etc., assist with preparing patients for a variety of veterinary medical procedures.
• Provide excellent service to DVM’s and medical teams that support quality patient care.
• Facilitate open communication and teamwork among clinical care team members (DVM’s students, veterinary technicians, etc.) in support of positive patient outcomes and excellent patient care.
• Must be able to restrain and handle animals and/or assist with animal restraint and handling.
• Hourly treatments on Wards and Isolation patients.
• Assists in deep cleaning of wards and isolation.
• Assists in ICU and ER as directed.
• Prepares for incoming patients.
• Under the direction of a DVM or CVT, applies clinical job knowledge and competence to the management of the patient.
• Delivers outstanding customer service including greeting and receiving patients and clients in a professional, caring and courteous manner, answering phone calls promptly, responding to clients, co-workers, and medical staff needs and requests, redirecting calls, etc.
• Performs record-keeping tasks related to medical procedures, including recording of procedures completed, supplies used, patient status, client communications, census information, etc.
• Responsible for ensuring that all services and supplies are charged according to the hospital fee schedule.
• Must have the ability to work in a clinical setting.
• Must adhere to VMC safety and infection control policies and procedures.
• Provides coverage for a minimum of 2 holidays per year.
• Has a positive attitude, is timely and utilizes down time efficiently.
• Takes care of departmental needs and works as a team member.

Other Functions

• Maintains a clean environment in the hospital area and ensures that these areas are adequately ordered, stocked and that equipment is in working order.
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor, Clinician, or Director.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal skills (courteous, respectful, trustworthy, keeps commitments, strong work ethic).
• Must possess a teaching and service orientation as well as a positive attitude.
• Uses resources wisely and is available and approachable to his/her team and others.
• Communicates (speaks/listens/responds) in a positive and timely manner to staff, coworkers and supervisor.
• Looks for and supports quality improvement, supports the mission and values of the VMC and displays organizational citizenship behavior.

Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to:
  • stand, walk, sit, push, pull
  • use hands to finger, hold, handle or feel animals or objects, tools or controls
  • reach with hands and arms
  • restrain animals with both hands and arms
  • climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
  • talk or hear; taste or smell
  • the employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds without assistance
  • occasionally lift and/or move over 50 pounds with assistance
  • specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• This work is generally performed at the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, and at the Veterinary Medical Center.
• This work environment may include exposure to noise, bright/low lighting, temperature variations, animal bodily fluids and waste, and allergens such as mold, dust, hay and animal hair and dander.

Required Qualifications

• One year of post high school experience or education in veterinary assisting which includes:
  • animal restraint
  • veterinary terminology
  • veterinary anatomy
  • patient first aid
  • medication administration

Preferred Qualifications

• Problem solving skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of veterinary medicine terminology
• Knowledge of proper restraint and handling of small animals
• Understands and works within clinical scope of position
• Flexibility to meet patient care needs
• Proficiency with PC and software.

Pay Range

$22.62 - $24.34 per hour, depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.