Assistant Jobs in Wheat Ridge, CO (NOW HIRING)

Summary: The Reproduction Assistant/Rotating Assistant supports veterinarians and hospital staff in providing high-quality reproductive, and medical care to equine patients. This position assists with patient care, diagnostic procedures, facility maintenance, inventory management, client service, and administrative duties while ensuring adherence to hospital protocols, safety standards, and biosecurity measures. Responsibilities rotate seasonally between the Reproduction Department and the Elective Barn.

Reproduction: (February through August)

• Assist veterinarians with appointments, procedures, and the care of reproduction and hospitalized patients.
• Prepare and maintain examination rooms and equipment for appointments, including ultrasound units and related supplies.
• Clean, disinfect, and restock examination rooms and equipment after each use.
• Process and submit laboratory samples, including Coggins tests, blood chemistries, and samples for outside laboratories.
• Ensure veterinary vehicles are fully stocked with medications, supplies, and equipment required for daily appointments.
• Submit inventory requests and collaborate with Central Supply to maintain appropriate stock levels in veterinary vehicles.
• Clean and restock vehicles daily, including removing trash, returning equipment, and submitting laboratory samples.
• Maintain assigned vehicles by refueling, washing, vacuuming, and reporting maintenance concerns.
• Complete daily barn, clinic, and departmental duties as assigned by the supervisor.
• Accurately document and track all controlled substances in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Monitor inventory for expired medications, vaccines, supplements, and dewormers; rotate stock and properly document expired products.
• Maintain a valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
• Assist veterinarians, technicians, and assistants across departments as needed.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe workspaces, examination rooms, and treatment areas.
• Identify and report facility, equipment, or maintenance issues requiring repair or service.
• Accurately complete billing and medical record entries in HVMS for each appointment.
• Participate in after-hours, weekends, and holiday reproductive services as needed to support mare reproductive management.
• Safely handle mares, foals, and other equine patients.
• Stallion handling experience is preferred.

Elective Barn: (September-January)

• Assists veterinarians with the care of reproduction and hospitalized patients as needed.
• Assist with the daily feeding, cleaning, and care of hospitalized patients housed in the elective barn and outdoor stalls.
• Communicate effectively with ICU personnel, interns, residents, and veterinarians regarding patient status and care needs.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the elective barn, surrounding grounds, and common work areas.
• Clean, disinfect, and prepare stalls and equipment in accordance with hospital biosecurity protocols.
• Enter accurate and timely patient care notes into the HVMS system.
• Complete patient admissions and discharges within the HVMS system.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

Education/Experience: Graduation from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program and successful completion of the VTNE are preferred but not required. Equine veterinary experience, animal science education, or equivalent equine handling experience is strongly preferred. Candidates with a demonstrated interest in equine reproduction and patient care are encouraged to apply.

Language Skills: Ability to read, understand, and write simple instructions, correspondence, and memos. Ability to communicate effectively one-on-one and in small group settings with clients, customers, and coworkers.

Math Skills: Ability to calculate drug dosages, dilutions, percentages, rates, ratios, and volumes. Ability to use basic algebra and perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense to carry out written, oral, or diagram-based instructions and solve problems involving several variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills: Proficiency with standard computer software and ability to learn veterinary systems such as HVMS, e-Film, Keystone, and other practice management software.

Special Skills: Strong equine handling, restraint, and horsemanship skills are required. Experience handling breeding stallions is preferred.

Work Environment: The work environment described here reflects the conditions employees may encounter while performing essential job functions. This role regularly involves outdoor work in all seasons, with occasional exposure to wet or humid conditions and moving mechanical parts. Employees are frequently exposed to radiation and chemicals. Knowledge of MSDS, safe handling practices, and use of personal protective equipment including gloves, masks, and eyewash stations is required. The typical noise level is moderate. 

Physical Demands: This position requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and lifting throughout the workday. Employees must be able to safely handle horses of various ages and temperaments, jog horses in hand, lift and carry 50-70 pounds, and work outdoors in varying weather conditions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.