Veterinary Assistant

Position Summary

A veterinary assistant supports technicians and veterinarians in exams, treatment, surgery and boarding. The veterinary assistant assists with animal restraint, housekeeping, client communication, treatments and surgeries. Veterinary assistants support both licensed veterinary technicians and veterinarians in daily patient care. They communicate with clients in person and by phone for follow-up care and patient monitoring.

Job Responsibilities

Technical Duties, 80%:

Patient Care

• Care for boarding and hospitalized animals, including cage cleaning, exercising, feeding, observing signs of illness and controlling the spread of parasites and infectious diseases
• Weigh pets each visit and record weights in medical records and on computer
• Restrain patients for procedures performed by technicians or doctors
• Administer medications
• Assess change in animal status
• Trim nails
• Clean ears
• Bathing and dipping procedures
• Ensure hospital patients and boarding pets go home well groomed and in an appropriate medical state

Laboratory & Pharmacy

• Perform basic in-house lab tests
• Complete forms for reference lab
• Fill out lab reports and logs
• Clean lab area
• Fill prescriptions

Inventory

• Unpack deliveries, reconcile against packing slip and restock supplies
• Restock shelves and drawers in exam rooms and treatment area
• Assist with ordering of drugs and supplies
• Assist with purchasing and stocking of cleaning and office supplies

Housekeeping Duties, 10%:

• Do laundry
• Clean cages and boarding kennels
• Help maintain clean exam rooms, treatment area and surgical suite
• Clean public and staff areas
• Assist with facility and yard maintenance to maintain a clean, odorless and inviting environment
• Clean up after pets’ accidents in the reception area, exam rooms and exterior sidewalks and parking lot

Client Communication Duties, 8%:

• Professional, cheerful and helpful attitude when interacting with pet owners
• 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

Administrative Duties, 2%:

• Help in reception area when needed
• Know how to check out clients and discharge boarding and hospitalized patients
• Understand proper medical record keeping
• Note in medical records the details discussed during client conversations including the date, time, key points of the discussion and any action required
• Understand front-desk procedures in order to assist customer service representatives such as phone system, veterinary practice-management software and appointment scheduling guidelines

Educational Requirements & Skills Needed

Educational Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Formal or on-the-job training in veterinary technology

Skills Needed:

• Ability and willingness to assist technicians, doctors and customer service representatives
• 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 communicator

Physical Obligations:

• Able to lift patients and carry equipment up to 25 pounds; ability to lift patients or carry equipment over 25 pounds with assistance
• Endure sitting, standing and walking on hard floor surfaces for extended periods
• Type information for patient records and prescription labels into the computer
• Able to work in noisy work conditions with sounds from animals and equipment
• Take safety precautions for exposure to toxins, drugs, anesthesia and radiation