Veterinary Assistant at Preston Animal Hospital

## Practice Preston Animal Hospital serves Louisville and the surrounding communities with industry leading, small animal veterinary care. We offer a full range of wellness, diagnostic, surgical, dental, boarding, and grooming services to clients and pets that have been with us for generations. ## More about the Role The Veterinary Assistant assists the veterinarians and technicians with patient care and treatment, monitors hospitalized pets, maintains inventory, prepares prescriptions, performs routine in-house laboratory work, educates clients regarding veterinary care and procedures, and assists with surgical procedures. ## Competencies - **Patience & Compassion:** Remaining professional while still making teammates, clients, and patients feel as comfortable as possible regardless of the situation or challenges presented. Responding quickly and calmly to crisis while maintaining a high standard of patient care. - **Collaboration & Teamwork:** Carefully coordinating actions with veterinarians and practice team members. Providing feedback appropriately and in a timely manner. Quickly incorporating feedback to ensure positive results. Sharing ideas and being open to other’s ideas. - **Communicating**: Conveying instructions to clients and teammates to ensure successful patient care. - **Active Listening:** Following the instructions of veterinarians and sometimes patient owners. Picking up the needs of veterinarians and teammates based on prior experiences and feedback. - **Organization Skills**: Clear tracking of lab specimens, medications, patient instructions, workflow, and other job-related items while managing multiple patients and clients. - **Client Satisfaction:** Ensuring all activities and interactions result in the highest level of client satisfaction. ## Essential Responsibilities - Assist veterinarians in the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery and other tasks as needed. - Assist veterinarians in outpatient exams by taking histories, vital signs, and weights, as well as providing client education. - Prepare patients for surgery and monitor vital signs of the patient during surgery. - Obtain blood, stool, and other samples; perform in-hospital laboratory testing and prepare specimens for outside laboratories. - Take, develop, and maintain radiographs following proper safety procedures. - Provide basic animal handling and restrain animals during exams. - Administer and monitor medications, anesthesia, vaccines, and treatments at the discretion of the veterinarian. - Clean and straighten exam rooms, treatment, and lab areas; restock exam rooms with supplies. Assist other team members to keep the public areas of the practice clean; clean and maintain all medical equipment. - Demonstrate warmth, courtesy and professionalism in all interactions with clients; exercise compassion and care in all interactions with patients. - Communicate with veterinarians and practice team members including client discussions, patient plans, client concerns, etc. - Any other duties as assigned. ## Requirements/Qualifications - Ability to work on weekends as required - Previous veterinary experience preferred - Ability to lift patients and carry equipment up to 25 pounds; ability to lift patients or carry equipment over 25 pounds with assistance - Practice OSHA safety techniques including proper PPE - Basic math and the ability to calculate medication dosages - Basic computer skills, familiarity with MS office applications, etc. - Strong communication skills to ensure patient safety ## Benefits Offered - Paid time off - Health insurance; dental insurance; vision insurance - Retirement benefits or accounts - Bonus incentive - Flexible work schedules - Career and professional development - Employee Assistance Program - Employee Referral Program Benefits offered may vary depending on full or part time employment status according to company policy. ## Pay Range USD $12.50 - USD $13.50 /Hr.