Veterinary Assistant

Position available for a Veterinary Assistant with experience working in an animal hospital. Must be familiar with restraining and caring for pets. Good phone and people skills are required as well as a knowledge of general pet care. Occasional weekend work. Pay will depend on experience and skill level.

Skills Required for Top pay Include

Veterinary Assistant Training Checklist

Assisting in Rooms

Obtain a History

Recording Patient Treatment/Clinical Data on Hospitalized Patient

TPRs (Temperature/Pulse/Respiratory)

Proper Invoicing for visits

Knowledge on preventatives and medications, including side effects and allergic responses

Proper restraint for exam

Tasks/Skills

Administer Oral Tablet or Capsule to Dog

Administer Oral Tablet or Capsule to Cat

Administer Oral Liquid to Dog or Cat

Administer Eye Drops or Ointment to a Dog or Cat

Administer Ear Medication to Dog

Administer Ear Medication to Cat

Administer Subcutaneous Injection to Dog

Administer Subcutaneous Injection to Cat

Administer Intramuscular Injection to Dog

Administer Intramuscular Injection to Cat

Perform Cephalic Venipuncture in a Dog

Perform Cephalic Venipuncture in a Cat

Perform Saphenous Venipuncture in a Dog

Perform Femoral/Medial Saphenous Venipuncture in a Cat

Administer Intravenous Cephalic Injection to a Dog

Administer Intravenous Saphenous Injection to a Dog

Administer Intravenous Injection to a Cat

Trim Nails in a Dog

Trim Nails in a Cat

Know how to set up and restrain for torn nail procedures

Clean Ears in a Dog

Clean Ears in a Cat

Express Anal Sacs in a Dog

Collect a Free Catch Urine Sample from a Dog or Cat

Perform Jugular Venipuncture in a Dog

Perform Jugular Venipuncture in a Cat

Place a Cephalic Catheter in a Dog

Place a Cephalic Catheter in a Cat

Place a Saphenous Catheter in a Dog

Apply and Remove a bandage

Administer Subcutaneous Fluids to a Dog or Cat

Perform an Oral Health Assessment/Treatment in a Dog or Cat

Application of Elizabethan Collar

Hospitalized Patient Care, Recordkeeping & Observation of a Critical Patient

Monitor and Maintain Intravenous Fluids and IV Catheter Care

Closed-Chest Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) – Small Animal

Anesthesia and Monitoring

Anesthetic Delivery & Monitoring Equipment Use and Maintenance

Pre-Anesthetic Preparation of the Anesthetic Machine

Preparation of Supplies Prior to General Inhalant Anesthesia

Pre-Anesthetic Preparation of the Patient for Anesthesia

Induction by Injectable Agent

Intubation of a Dog

Intubation of a Cat

Maintenance and Monitoring of General Anesthesia

Recovery from General Anesthesia

Surgery and Sterilization

Post-Surgical Clean Up and OR Sanitation and Care

Clean Instruments Post-Operatively

Prepare a Surgical Pack for Sterilization

Sterilize an Instrument Pack

Sterilize an Individually Packaged Instrument or Item

Open a Surgical Pack

Open a Gown and Gloves

Position Patient for Procedures and Express Urinary Bladder

Participate in Ovariohysterectomy in a Dog

Participate in Ovariohysterectomy in a Cat

Participate in Orchiectomy in a Dog

Participate in Orchiectomy in a Cat

Clip and Prepare a Surgical Site

Scrubbing of Arms and Hands for Surgery

Aseptically Don Surgical Gown

Perform Closed Gloving Technique as a surgery assistant

Aseptically Pass Instruments as a Scrub Nurse

Provide Aseptic Surgical Assistance with Care of Exposed Tissues

Removal of Sutures

Removal of Drains

Dental Cleaning

Prepare and set up dental machine for procedures

Prepare and set up dental computer and x-ray probe

Proper monitoring for dental patients

Dental prophylaxis on dog and cat

Polishing teeth post procedure

Dental radiographs for dogs

Dental radiographs for cats

Documentation for dogs and cats’ mouths

Oiling and depressurizing dental machine for cleaning

Pharmacy Tasks

Complete Controlled Substance Log

Medication Labeling

Filling an Oral Solid Medication

Filling a Liquid Medication

Reconstitute a Medication for Dispensing

Reconstitute a Vaccine

Dispense Medication to the Client and review directions

Imaging Tasks

Safety Procedures

Know how to shave and restrain for cardiac ultrasounds

Lateral and Ventrodorsal Thoracic Radiograph

Lateral and Ventrodorsal Abdominal Radiograph

Orthopedic radiographs (Hindlimb, forelimb, pelvis, skull and spine)

Diagnostic Tasks

Collect and prepare fecal sample, read and report findings on a fecal float and direct smear

Preparing and reading a skin cytology (Skin scrapes and tape)

Ear Sample Collection and Preparation in a Dog or Cat

Perform a Schirmer Tear Test

Perform a Fluorescein Stain Test

Perform Tonometry

Collect and Prepare Vaginal Cytology – Canine

Perform Heartworm Diagnostic Test

Preform CBC test with ProCyte

Preform test with Catalyst One

Preform Urinalysis test with Sedivue, Refractometer, and UA strips

Collect and preform PCV test

Set up and read blood smear

Prepare serum vs plasma

Preform OUT-HOUSE lab tests

Proper maintenance of all IDEXX devices