Acacia Pet Clinic is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Veterinary Assistant, who is passionate about animal care, to join our team. As a Veterinary Assistant, you will play a crucial role in supporting our veterinarians and ensuring the well-being of our furry patients. This position offers an excellent opportunity to work in a dynamic work environment, gain hands-on experience, and contribute to high-quality animal care. If you have a love for animals and a desire to grow in the veterinary field, we would love to hear from you!
FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt
Salary/Pay Range: $19-$28/Hour Based on Experience
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Monitors animals recovering from surgery and notifies veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.
- Performs hygiene-related duties, such as bathing animals, brushing or cutting hair, ear cleaning, and trimming nails.
- Exercises animals or provide them with companionship.
- Prepares feed for the animals according to specific instructions, such as diet lists or schedules.
- Examines animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms indicating illness or injury.
- Provides emergency first aid to sick or injured animals.
- Performs dental work, such as cleaning and polishing teeth.
- Prepares treatment rooms and animals for surgery, such as shaving surgical areas.
- Cares for and monitors the condition of pets recovering from surgery, ensuring they are comfortable and clean.
- Participates fully in training to learn new technical/clinical skills or improve existing technical/clinical skills.
- Administers medication and immunizations to animals as prescribed by veterinarians.
- Fills medication prescriptions as prescribed by veterinarians.
- Assists with the euthanasia of animals or disposal of corpses.
- Prepares surgical equipment and passes instruments or materials to veterinarians during surgical procedures.
- Assists veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries.
- Takes animals into treatment areas and assists with physical exams or procedures.
- Assists in restraining animals safely and compassionately during examinations, procedures, and treatments.
- Provides veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments as needed.
- Collects, prepares, and labels laboratory specimens such as blood, urine, or feces for testing.
- Performs routine laboratory or diagnostic tests, such as taking or processing X-rays.
- Prepares examination or treatment rooms by stocking them with appropriate supplies.
- Assists in maintaining the overall cleanliness and organization of the clinic.
- Cleans and sanitizes animal holding areas, cages, surgery suites, examination rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
- Cleans, sterilizes, and maintains instruments, equipment, machinery, or materials to ensure proper working conditions.
- Assists with inventory management by tracking and requesting supplies as needed.
- Adheres to safety and sanitation guidelines to ensure a safe environment for animals and staff.
- Maintains accurate patient records, updating details of treatments, medications, and test results.
- Documents all medical conversations had with clients.
- Records information relating to animal genealogy, feeding schedules, appearance, behavior, or breeding.
- Schedules appointments and procedures for animals.
- Performs office, clerical, or accounting duties, such as reception, billing, bookkeeping, or selling products.
- Ensures all forms, such as client forms and waivers, are completed accordingly.
- Efficiently navigates through practice management software to perform the following functions: schedule appointments, check clients in and out, look up records of patients, input records into patient files, create invoices, and ensure accurate charge processing.
- Greets clients and their pets upon arrival and makes them feel welcome.
- Answers phone calls, responds to inquiries, schedules appointments, manages follow-up communications, and provides information about the clinic's services.
- Creates a positive experience for both the pet owners and their pets.
- Discusses and updates clients on their medical health, post-operative status, and post-visit care for their pets.
- Educates and advises pet owners on animal health care, behavior problems, and nutrition.
- Handles any client concerns with empathy and professionalism.
- When clients are upset or angry, involves a management team member to prevent escalation or when necessary.
- Directs clients to the appropriate person if they have medical questions (no medical advice is to be given over the phone unless stated by a doctor).
- Follows/performs any other job-related instructions and duties requested by anyone authorized to give instructions or assignments.
- Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Genuinely enjoys and shows compassion when working with animals and is able to deal with them even when they are stressed, ill, or in pain.
- Can multitask, manage time effectively, and remain focused on individual tasks.
- Possesses excellent interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.
- Is well-spoken and approaches his/her job duties in a mature nature.
- Conducts oneself respectfully, confidently, friendly, professionally, and positively, even when stressed.
- Will not share or discuss sensitive or confidential information and personal financial information of others or the practice with coworkers, clients, or vendor reps as long as you are an employee.
- Can stay calm and efficient during stressful situations or a medical crisis.
- Maintains professional conversations (no gossiping) while working with clients, vendor reps, doctors, and staff members.
- Understands all vaccinations, core vs. elective, and vaccine protocols, explaining their pets' needs/ requirements well to clients.
- Proficient with computer systems and software: Microsoft Office, word processing software, practice management/medical software (Idexx Neo and IDEXX Lab Station), and label-making software.
Education and Experience:
- Must possess one of the following:
- High school diploma or equivalent (for example, GED)
- Associate degree, other 2-year degrees, or some college courses
- Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
- Previous experience in the veterinary/medical setting or working with animals is beneficial.
Physical Requirements:
- Prolonged periods of standing, reaching, bending, and lifting.
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times and have physical stamina for holding/lifting moving animals.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $19.00 - $28.00 per hour
Expected hours: 32 – 40 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Uniform allowance
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- No nights
- No weekends
Ability to Relocate:
- San Jose, CA 95136: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person