Position: Veterinary Assistant
Reports to: Clinic Manager
Status: Full-time
Summary
The Veterinary Assistant provides support to the Medical Director (MD) and the Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) of the Chesapeake Humane Society (CHS) veterinary clinic. The incumbent shall provide exceptional customer service and animal care counseling for clients, donors, and adopters.
Duties and Responsibilities
Veterinary Assistant
- Obtain medical histories and relay pertinent information to the MD/LVT
- Safely and humanely restrain pets for exams, vaccinations, diagnostics, and surgical preparation
- Observe pets for gross abnormalities, take vitals, and report concerns to MD/LVT
- Perform diagnostic services such as bloodwork, ear swabs, and skin scrapings for MD/LVT to interpret, document results, and communicate to clients or Administrative Assistants
- Recover pets from anesthesia and involve MD/LVT as needed
- Provide post-operative, vaccination, and microchipping counseling and answer client inquiries, forwarding to MD/LVT as appropriate
- Clean and sanitize veterinary equipment, surgical tools, animal enclosures, workspace, lobby, and break room as assigned
- Ensure all supply areas are stocked and report deficiencies to MD
Administrative
- Answer phone, e-mail, and in-person inquiries regarding clinic and shelter services offered by CHS, forwarding to management or veterinary staff as appropriate
- Schedule surgical services for public clients, rescues, and Chesapeake Animal Services
- Obtain medical histories, enter medical notes, and fill prescriptions
- Check clients in and out, recommend services/products appropriate to the client’s pet/s, and accept payment for services
- Perform reminder and follow-up calls, forwarding to veterinary staff as appropriate
- Reconcile funds received and file medical paperwork for each day of business
- Ensure all supply areas are stocked and report deficiencies to management
Other Duties
- Work cooperatively with all staff and volunteers to promote the CHS mission
- Uphold and embrace CHS’s Workplace Culture Agreement in all aspects of work
- Engage visitors in non-confrontational, educational conversations regarding animal care, surrender, sheltering policies, etc.
- Perform other duties as necessary
Skills and Educational Requirements
- A high school diploma
- Confidence using computer systems and learning new software
- The ability to distinguish which client inquiries are appropriate for his/her knowledge base
- The ability to provide quality customer service in a high-volume, stressful environment
- Strong written and oral communication skills including the ability to educate clients effectively in English
- Strong familiarity with veterinary medicine (particularly surgical procedures and preventative care) or the ability to learn these skills
- The ability to count currency
- Willingness to discuss euthanasia, open-admission sheltering, and surrender of pets in a non-judgmental, non-confrontational, fact-based manner
- The ability to express organizational standpoints when serving as a CHS representative
- The ability to handle confidential or sensitive information with discretion
Physical and Time Demands
- Flexible working hours including evenings and weekends
- Ability to work in a fast-paced setting with distractions
- Ability to work in the presence of animals, wildlife, strong odors, and cleaning solutions
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift and carry materials up to 40 lbs
- Ability to handle stress
- Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and reliable personal transportation
Salary and Benefits
- $15.00 - $18.00/hour, depending on experience
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance (full-time only)
- Access to mental health resources (Insight Timer app, Compassion Fatigue training, and Trauma-Informed Care training)
- Paid Holidays (full-time only)
- Personal Time-off (full-time only)
- Simple IRA Plan with up to 3% organization match
- Professional development and continuing education opportunities
- Discounted clinic services and adoption fees
- Discounted retail items, pet prescriptions, and prescription foods
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $15.00 - $18.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed
Experience:
- Veterinary Assistant: 1 year (Preferred)
- Animal handling: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person