(USA-CA-Rancho Mirage) Veterinary Assistant
Routine laboratory tests, i.e. fecals, heartworm, leukemia, etc.
Housebreaking techniques.
General flea and tick control.
Nursing Care:
• Compassionate nursing care is the top priority for all patients.
• Make certain all patients are kept clean and as comfortable as possible.
• Assist in treating hospitalized animals under veterinary supervision.
• Continuously monitor all patients admitted to the hospital.
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• Ensure all patients are clearly identified including entry on hospital day sheet, cage card,
and ID collar.
• Assist veterinarians to direct traffic (patients and care) and leverage staff time.
• Efficiently organize daily duties and medical-surgical procedures to best utilize staff’s
time.
• Participate in client communication and education, explaining administration of
medications, follow-up care, diet recommendations and general animal care.
• Flexibility in working hours is required to ensure that the job is done properly.
Housekeeping and Maintenance of Hospital:
• Make certain entire hospital both inside and outside, including treatment, surgery,
kennels, runs, parking lot and entry is kept extremely clean throughout the day (so that a
client could come back and see their pet without any notice). This includes your own
clothing and appearance.
• Advise Medical Director or Technical Supervisor of any conditions that are unsafe,
including unrecognized hazards or infractions of safety rules.
Examinations:
• Ability to perform a cursory examination of an animal.
• Ability to use a stethoscope and otoscope.
• Ability to recognize fleas, ticks and other external parasites.
• Ability to recognize other potential health care issues, i.e., dental or exam by a
veterinarian.
• Clearly communicate your findings to doctor. Refuse to make a diagnosis.
Records:
• Keep records up to date. This includes client records with charges, medical history,
vaccine status, medications administered, laboratory reports, etc.
• Maintain all log books (radiology, surgery, anesthesia, laboratory and controlled
substance logs).
• Handwriting must be neat and legible.
Anesthesia:
• Understand how to maintain and use our inhalation anesthetic machines.
• Administer certain anesthetics under direct doctor supervision.
• Monitor anesthesia under direct doctor supervision.
• Familiarity with procedures and antidotes for an anesthesia emergency.
Surgery:
• Understand how to prep animals for aseptic surgery.
• Understand aseptic technique in the surgery room and participate in maintaining sterile
conditions.
• Know the names and general uses of surgical instruments and equipment.
• Maintain and sterilize surgical instruments and packs.
• Be willing and able to assist the doctor with certain surgical procedures.
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• Position animals properly to the radiographs.
• Know how to properly use positioning devices so that patients may be radiographed
without the requirement of assistants holding animals in place whenever possible.
• Develop radiographs.
• Maintain and care for all radiology equipment.
• Practice all safety regulations in regard to radiology.
Dentistry:
• Understand how to set up and use a Dental Prophylactics unit.
• Perform routine dental prophylactics.
Know general uses of our instrumentation for endodontic, exodontic, etc.
Ability to take dental radiographs if necessary.
Laboratory:
• Collect stool and urine samples.
• Prepare lab request forms.
• Create prescription labels, fill prescriptions and dispense medications as directed by a
doctor.
• Control inventory and assist in ordering medications and supplies.
• Maintain proper storage and safekeeping of drugs as directed by a doctor.
Marketing:
• Understand, participate and support planned VCA marketing events and programs.
• Present marketing promotions to clients in a professional manner.
Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!
The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development).
VCA began in 1986 as a privately owned company with one animal hospital. Today, we are the largest family of animal care providers nationwide. Despite unprecedented growth, VCA has never abandoned its devotion to compassionate, comprehensive pet care. Take a look at our open positions throughout the U.S. and Canada! We’re always looking for top notch talent to join the VCA family!