Seeking Full Time Veterinary Assistant at Highland Pet Hospital and the Animal Emergency Clinic

Pay Scale: $15.50-$19.00*

*Pay scale: 2+ years of verified experience starts at a higher level of compensation.

*Schedule subject to change based on the needs of the business.

Must be able to work days, nights, weekends, On Calls and Holidays

Position Summary

A veterinary assistant greets and assists clients upon entry to the clinic, they educate, relate and communicate with the clients / patients in the exam rooms, answer the phone, provide support to technicians and veterinarians in exams, treatment, and surgery. The veterinary assistant assists with animal restraint, housekeeping, client communication, treatments and surgeries. They communicate with clients in person and by phone for follow-up care and patient monitoring.

Job Responsibilities*

Job responsibilities are subject to change based on the department (Highland Pet Hospital vs Animal Emergency Clinic)

Technical Duties:

Treatment

• Care for boarding and hospitalized animals, including cage cleaning, exercising, feeding, observing signs of illness and controlling the spread of parasites and infectious diseases
• Ensure hospitalized patients go home well groomed and in an appropriate medical state
• Assist veterinarian or technician in patient restraint
• Administer medications to patients under the direction of veterinarian or technician: eye, oral, skin, ear, topical, subcutaneous injections, etc
• Blood draws, catheter placements, administering treatments per veterinarians directions.
• Monitor and document patient status in medical record and report to overseeing technician or veterinarian if any questionable or concerning behaviors.
• Weigh and temp. patient and document in medical record.

Exam Rooms

• Observe doctor schedule at time of patient arrival and load SOAP into medical record. View medical record to see what vaccines and lab work may be due at this time. Get vaccines ready before patient enters room if time (can do later if hurried)
• Obtain patient’s weight and enter into computer
• Escort clients and patients into exam rooms.
• Obtain temperature of patient as able (if animal is fractious/ rambunctious, wait for help)
• Take patient history and type into “S” portion of SOAP
• Discuss this visits recommendations if applicable with client
• Provide client education on benefits of services and products
• Obtain samples if able for lab work (ears, urine, etc)
• Assist veterinarian with restraint as needed
• Give treats to patient and use distraction techniques when indicated
• Fill out medical record for veterinarian as you are able
• Get prescriptions, appropriate client handouts, rabies certificates, refills, and invoicing ready.
• Enter tasks / reminders as indicated

Reception

• Greet clients and pets
• Answer phone when needed
• Inform clients of expected wait time if doctor is behind schedule.
• Schedule appointments following hospital protocol
• Respond to routine medical care questions (costs, vaccines, blood work, etc). Document in medical record
• Provide estimates when needed.
• Update client contact information in database
• Document all communication with client in patient’s medical record
• Screen and direct calls to appropriate doctors or staff
• Prepare invoices and receive payments
• Complete consent forms

Radiology

• Assist veterinarian or technician in patient restraint during the taking of radiographs
• Follow radiation safety protocols.

Laboratory & Pharmacy

• Collect samples - ears, fecal, urine (free catch)
• Set up basic lab tests: ear smears, cytologies, fecal flotations as needed.
• Fill prescriptions.
• Reconstitute liquid oral medications as needed
• Report low stock or out of date supplies to inventory manager.
• Prefill medications as needed (prednisone and PES drops)

Surgical Assistant

• Assist in admitting patients scheduled for surgery and dentistry
• Keep surgical materials stocked
• Prepare gowns and sterile packs
• Prepare instrument packs and know what instruments are needed for different types of surgeries
• Knowledge of proper instrument care and use of autoclave.
• Assist veterinarians and technicians with patient restraint
• Assist technicians with catheter placement, intubation, and drug administration.
• Knowledge of proper surgical preparation procedures and ability to prepare patients aseptically for these different procedures (clip, apply artificial tears eye ointment)
• Set up cautery and dental units if needed
• Monitor anesthesia closely with monitoring equipment such as pulse oximeter and frequent observation of respiration rate, heart rate, and mucous membrane color. Document patient status in anesthetic log.
• Assist veterinarian performing surgery as needed.
• Monitor patient waking up from anesthesia including extubation, and removal of IV catheters.
• Help fill all surgical patient prescriptions
• Place post operative phone calls to clients after patient has been extubated
• Change solutions for surgical milk and cold milks every 2 weeks

Housekeeping Duties

• Laundry (wash, fold, and put away) and trash
• Clean cages and kennels
• Dishes- litter pans, food and water bowls
• Clean up after yourself
• Keep food and uncovered drinks out of treatment area and surgical suite
• Help maintain clean exam rooms, treatment areas and surgical suite and stock supplies in all hospital areas as needed.
• Clean public and staff areas as needed.
• Assist with facility and yard maintenance to maintain a clean, odorless and inviting environment- sweeping, mopping, dusting, etc as needed.
• Clean ear cone cleaners

Client Communication Duties

• Professional, cheerful and helpful attitude when interacting with pet owners
• Basic knowledge of common diseases, their symptoms and means of transmission
• Knowledge of preventative health care recommendations to answer questions and assist in marketing veterinary services from which clients’ pets would benefit

Safety

• Follow OSHA requirements
• Follow practice’s health and safety protocols

Administrative Duties

• Help in reception area
• Know how to check out clients and discharge hospitalized patients
• Understand proper medical record keeping and become proficient in using our veterinary practice-management software.
• Understand front-desk procedures such as phone system, veterinary practice-management software and appointment scheduling guidelines
• Attend staff meetings.
• If asked, help assist in the training of new employees
• Complete tasks delegated to you in efficient manner- inventory management, unpacking new inventory, surgical assistant responsibilities.

Educational Requirements & Skills Needed

Educational Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Previous veterinary assistant experience preferred

Skills Needed:

• Ability and willingness to assist technicians, doctors, practice manager
• Responsibilities will vary based on the practice’s current needs, the season and the individual skills of the employee
• Ability to assist veterinarians in the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery
• Effective verbal and written communication skills including interaction with staff as well as client interaction in person and over the phone.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member
• Must be able to follow directions, multi-task, initiate task without directions, work efficiently and effectively, learn quickly.
• Able to remain calm in crisis situation.

Physical Obligations:

• Able to lift patients and carry equipment up to 40 pounds without assistance
• Endure sitting, standing and walking on hard floor surfaces for extended periods
• Adequate typing skills and basic computer knowledge
• Able to work in noisy work conditions with sounds from animals and equipment
• Take safety precautions for exposure to toxins, drugs, anesthesia, and radiation.
• Knowledge of and ability to safely handle and restrain domestic animals.

Lab equipment used:

• Idexx updated blood machines
• Idexx radiographs
• Midmark Multiparameter monitor
• Ezyvet software
• Heska pumps

Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short Term and Long Term Disability
• 401k
• Discounts on goods and services
• Uniform Allowance
• Paid Time Off
• Educational Assistance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 12 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Evening shift
• Holidays
• Night shift
• On call
• Overnight shift
• Weekend availability

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Bloomington, IL 61704: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

• Veterinary experience: 1 year (Preferred)
• Veterinary assistant: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: One location