Veterinary Assistant

_**Job description**_

**Position Summary**: We are seeking for an exceptional **Veterinary Assistant (VA) at our Fairview Drive Animal Hospital**. The VA is responsible for greeting clients, answering telephone inquiries, performing record keeping duties, clerical duties related to animal patient care/treatment. The Veterinary Assistant is responsible for the cleanliness of the veterinary clinic and provides support to the Veterinarian/Technician team with various tasks to ensure their patients receive the care and attention they need while in the veterinary clinic. This position requires a knowledge of veterinary hospital organization, data entry, word processing, invoicing and a practical knowledge of standard clinic procedures, veterinary records and terminology used in the hospital. **Major Responsibilities**:

- Conduct oneself in a confident and professional manner even when stressed and/or focused on individual tasks
- Follow established hospital policies and procedures when handling client concerns and complaints
- Maintain positive, cooperative relationships with other employees
- Greet clients and pets by name immediately upon arrival in a friendly and sincere manner
- Provide compassionate care to patients and clients
- Assist our Customer Service Representatives by performing administrative duties by answering client inquiries, scheduling appointments, recording messages for doctors/staff and taking care of routine calls.
- Provide knowledgeable sub-professional advice concerning the care and treatment of animals including questions regarding hospital services, fees, animal care and treatment in accordance with hospital policies.
- Assist in handling of emergency situations by following established hospital policies and procedures in referring clients for immediate treatment of their animals when requests are accompanied by complaints of acute symptoms. Assist with determining nature of injury/illness and attempt to reassure distressed pet owners
- Follow hospital policies regarding patient appointment admittance. Determine whether vaccines/tests are current. Recommend update of necessary vaccines/tests to clients when applicable. Add all vaccine, bloodwork, and heartworm reminders onto computer to ensure client receives a reminder or prebook on the appropriate due date
- Prepare and clean exams rooms before and after each visit
- Weigh animals, assist with examinations and preparing vaccines
- Perform nail trims, and ear cleaning
- Notify Veterinarians and or Technicians of patient arrival. Relay all necessary information to the Veterinarians and Technicians
- Discuss procedures with clients such as blood work, fecal samples, and cytology
- Restrain animals during examinations, vaccinations, and emergencies
- Clean runs and cages
- Sterilize equipment and clean examination tables and rooms
- Soothe upset or frightened animals
- Observe animal behavior, monitor health conditions and report to the Doctor
- Restock treatment rooms, clinic supplies, and report items running low
- Assist with surgical preparations and recovery
- Assist the Veterinary Technician, with dental cleanings, during anesthetic and induction when necessary
- Assists in Radiology
- Prepare lab samples and requisition forms
- Create treatment plans and review with clients
- Discharge patients which includes entering all initial charges, verbally ensuring all charges have been added to the computer by the doctor, reviewing the discharge instructions and medications. Ensure that future reminders and call backs are set up in the computer system for the patient. -Present clients with medications, instructions, new puppy/kitten kits and any other take home items
- Review the services that were rendered to the pet (verbally itemize the client receipt) and inform client of the total amount due
- Accept payments from the client. Accurately process cash, cheques, charge card payments and credit account payments
- Administer medication prescribed by Veterinarians, dispense medications and provide instructions to owners concerning prescribed medications
- Assist with Euthanasia procedures, provide support to clients and process paper work/consent forms
- Perform over the counter selling of pet foods and supplies. Exercise a technical knowledge of products sold.
- Start order process for special order food/medication
- Assist with unpacking, labeling, and stocking of hospital supplies
- Ensure a smooth and timely flow of outpatient appointments from the check-in to the discharge
- Assist with keeping the clinic clean, vacuuming, mopping, changing garbage, dusting, following daily opening and closing, weekly, and monthly task lists
- Wash clinic laundry as needed and re-stock towels and blankets in rooms
- Assist in training and mentoring new team members
- Perform other duties assigned

**Core Competencies**:

- Accountability and Dependability
- Ethics and Integrity
- Teamwork

**Job Types**: Part-time, Full-time

**Salary**: $19.00-$21