Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Seeking a Skilled and Passionate Vet Assistant!

Willow Glen Pet Hospital is seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Veterinary Assistant to join our team. Our hospital is fast-paced; therefore, we need an individual who is knowledgeable, energetic, multi-task oriented, and has a true passion for helping pet patients as well as clients. Client satisfaction is one of our main motives. Our hospital has three doctors and provides general practice care to cats and dogs. We promote and thrive on communication and teamwork, which are key to maintaining a positive work environment. Willow Glen Pet Hospital has been proudly independent for over 10 years, built on lasting, trusted relationships with our clients and their pets.

Candidates must be comfortable and confident with expected assistant/tech duties, including, but not limited to: patient restraint, client relations (phone and in person), preparing patients for surgery (blood draws, IV catheter placement, etc.), assisting in surgical procedures, diagnostic imaging (radiographs), medication administration, scheduling, and maintaining a clean work environment.

The current staff is very cohesive and knows how to work independently as well as with each other. Ultimately, we would love to continue this trend with any future hires.

Apply today and take the next step in your veterinary career with us!

Work Hours:

• Mon through Fri: 8:00/9:00 AM to 6:30/7:00 PM
• Sat: 8:00 AM to 6:00/6:30 PM (candidates must have the flexibility to work at least 2 Saturday shifts per month)
• No Remote Work

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical Duties /_ Patient Care: _

• Monitors animals recovering from surgery and notifies veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.
• Performs hygiene-related duties, such as bathing animals, brushing or cutting hair, ear cleaning, and trimming nails.
• Exercises animals or provide them with companionship.
• Prepares feed for the animals according to specific instructions, such as diet lists or schedules.
• Examines animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms indicating illness or injury.
• Provides emergency first aid to sick or injured animals.
• Performs dental work, such as cleaning and polishing teeth and full mouth x-rays.
• Prepares treatment rooms and animals for surgery, such as shaving surgical areas.
• Cares for and monitors the condition of pets recovering from surgery, ensuring they are comfortable, clean, and recovering well.
• Participates fully in training to learn new technical/clinical skills or improve existing technical/clinical skills.

Support Veterinarians:

• Administers medication and immunizations to animals as prescribed by veterinarians.
• Fills medication prescriptions as prescribed by veterinarians.
• Assists with the euthanasia of animals or disposal of corpses.
• Prepares surgical equipment and passes instruments or materials to veterinarians during surgical procedures.
• Assists veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries.
• Takes animals into treatment areas and assists with physical exams or procedures.
• Assists in restraining animals safely and compassionately during examinations, procedures, and treatments.
• Provides veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments as needed.

Laboratory & Diagnostics:

• Collects, prepares, and labels laboratory specimens such as blood, urine, or feces for testing.
• Performs routine laboratory or diagnostic tests, such as taking or processing X-rays.

Clinic Maintenance:

• Prepares examination or treatment rooms by stocking them with appropriate supplies.
• Assists in maintaining the overall cleanliness and organization of the clinic.
• Cleans and sanitizes animal holding areas, cages, surgery suites, examination rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
• Cleans, sterilizes, and maintains instruments, equipment, machinery, or materials to ensure proper working conditions.
• Assists with inventory management by tracking and requesting supplies as needed.
• Adheres to safety and sanitation guidelines to ensure a safe environment for animals and staff.

Administrative Duties:

• Maintains accurate patient records, updating details of treatments, medications, and test results.
• Documents all medical conversations had with clients.
• Records information relating to animal genealogy, feeding schedules, appearance, behavior, or breeding.
• Ensures all forms, such as client forms and waivers, are completed accordingly.
• Performs CSR/Front Desk duties when needed (i.e., schedule appointments, check clients in and out, look up records of patients, input records into patient files, create invoices, sell products, and ensure accurate processing of charges).

Client Interactions:

• Creates a positive experience for both the pet owners and their pets.
• Greets clients and their pets upon arrival and makes them feel welcome.
• Answers phone calls, responds to inquiries, schedules appointments, manages follow-up communications, and provides information about the clinic's services.
• Discusses and updates clients on their medical health, post-operative status, and post-visit care for their pets.
• Educates and advises pet owners on animal health care, behavior problems, and nutrition.
• Handles any client concerns with empathy and professionalism.
• Involves a management team member to prevent escalation or when necessary.
• Directs clients to the appropriate person if they have medical questions (no medical advice is to be given over the phone unless stated by a doctor).

Other Duties:

• Follows/performs any other job-related instructions and duties requested by anyone authorized to give instructions or assignments.
• Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Genuinely enjoys and shows compassion when working with animals and can deal with them even when they are stressed, ill, or in pain.
• Can multitask, manage time effectively, and remain focused on individual tasks.
• Possesses excellent interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.
• Is well-spoken and approaches his/her job duties in a mature manner.
• Conducts oneself respectfully, confidently, friendly, professionally, and positively, even when stressed.
• Will not share or discuss sensitive or confidential information and personal financial information of others or the practice with coworkers, clients, or vendor reps as long as you are an employee.
• Can stay calm and efficient during stressful situations or a medical crisis.
• Maintains professional conversations (no gossiping) while working with clients, vendor reps, doctors, and staff members.
• Understands all vaccinations, core vs. elective, and vaccine protocols, explaining their pets' needs/ requirements well to clients.
• Proficient with computer systems and software: Microsoft Office, word processing software, practice management/medical software (Idexx Neo and IDEXX Lab Station), and label-making software.

Education and Experience:

• Must possess one of the following: High school diploma or equivalent (for example, GED), Associate degree, other 2-year degrees, or some college courses, or Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in the veterinary/medical setting as a veterinary assistant/tech.
• Experience with Vet software and EMRs. We use DaySmart Vet, formerly Vetter Software (experience with this EMR is a plus, but not required).

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of standing, reaching, bending, and lifting.
• Must be able to lift to 50 pounds at times and have physical stamina for holding/lifting moving animals.

Benefits and Conditions:

• 401(k) plan, Paid Time Off, Paid Sick Time, Paid Holidays, health/vision/dental insurance, discounted pet care, and uniform stipend.
• Regular full-time and part-time employees are eligible (some benefits for part-time employees are prorated based on work hours).

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