VETERINARY ASSISTANT - K-M REGIONAL VETERINARY HOSPITAL

About

At K-M Regional Veterinary Hospital, we keep your dog, cat, rabbit or small mammal healthy through wellness exams, immunizations, heartworm and flea/tick prevention, laboratory testing, dental treatment, nutritional counseling, surgical care and behavioral medicine.



Hours of Operation

Monday, Thursday, Friday : 7am - 5pm

Tuesday, Wednesday : 7am - 7pm

Open the first and third Saturdays each month: 8am to 12pm



Pay Range

$14 - $16



 Benefits Offered for our full-time team members

• 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

Position Purpose

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.





Veterinary Assistant 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

• 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