Animal Emergency Clinic of McLean County is hiring part time!
Approximately 28 hours
Schedule
Weekends, Holidays, & On Call Shifts are required
Training schedule may vary from set schedule. Must have availability to train at least 3 days a week at Animal Emergency Clinc (M-F 6p-2a) or 3-5 full days at Highland Pet Hospital M-F 8a-8p
- We are actively recruiting for this role and will not wait for the closing date of this post to identify our top candidates and making an offer. This posting may close prior to the date listed.
Position Summary
A veterinary assistant greets and assists clients upon entry to the clinic, they educate, relate and communicate with the clients / patients in the exam rooms, answer the phone, provide support to technicians and veterinarians in exams, treatment, and surgery. The veterinary assistant assists with animal restraint, housekeeping, client communication, treatments and surgeries. They communicate with clients in person and by phone for follow-up care and patient monitoring.
Job Responsibilities
Treatment:
Care for boarding and hospitalized animals, including cage cleaning, exercising, feeding, observing signs of illness and controlling the spread of parasites and infectious diseases
Ensure hospitalized patients go home well groomed and in an appropriate medical state
Assist veterinarian or technician in patient restraint
Administer medications to patients under the direction of veterinarian or technician: eye, oral, skin, ear, topical, etc
Monitor and document patient status in medical record and report to overseeing technician or veterinarian if any questionable or concerning behaviors.
Weigh and temp. patient and document in medical record.
Exam Rooms:
Observe doctor schedule at time of patient arrival and load SOAP into medical record. View medical record to see what vaccines and lab work may be due at this time. Get vaccines ready before patient enters room if time (can do later if hurried)
Obtain patient’s weight and enter into computer
Escort clients and patients into exam rooms.
Obtain temperature of patient as able (if animal is fractious/ rambunctious, wait for help)
Take patient history and type into “S” portion of SOAP
Discuss this visits recommendations if applicable with client
Provide client education on benefits of services and products
Obtain samples if able for lab work (ears, urine, etc)
Assist veterinarian with restraint as needed
Give treats to patient and use distraction techniques when indicated
Fill out medical record for veterinarian as you are able
Get prescriptions, appropriate client handouts, rabies certificates, refills, and invoicing ready.
Enter tasks / reminders as indicated
Reception:
Greet clients and pets
Answer phone when needed
Inform clients of expected wait time if doctor is behind schedule.
Schedule appointments following hospital protocol
Respond to routine medical care questions (costs, vaccines, blood work, etc). Document in medical record
Provide estimates when needed.
Update client contact information in database
Document all communication with client in patient’s medical record
Screen and direct calls to appropriate doctors or staff
Prepare invoices and receive payments
Complete consent forms
Radiology:
Laboratory & Pharmacy:
Collect samples - ears, fecal, urine (free catch)
Set up basic lab tests: ear smears, cytologies, fecal flotations as needed.
Fill prescriptions.
Reconstitute liquid oral medications as needed
Report low stock or out of date supplies to inventory manager.
Prefill medications as needed (prednisone and PES drops)
Surgical Assistant only:
Assist in admitting patients scheduled for surgery and dentistry
Keep surgical materials stocked
Prepare gowns and sterile packs
Prepare instrument packs and know what instruments are needed for different types of surgeries
Knowledge of proper instrument care and use of autoclave.
Assist veterinarians and technicians with patient restraint
Assist technicians with catheter placement, intubation, and drug administration.
Knowledge of proper surgical preparation procedures and ability to prepare patients aseptically for these different procedures (clip, apply artificial tears eye ointment)
Set up cautery and dental units if needed
Monitor anesthesia closely with monitoring equipment such as pulse oximeter and frequent observation of respiration rate, heart rate, and mucous membrane color. Document patient status in anesthetic log.
Assist veterinarian performing surgery as needed.
Monitor patient waking up from anesthesia including extubation, and removal of IV catheters.
Help fill all surgical patient prescriptions
Place post operative phone calls to clients after patient has been extubated
Change solutions for surgical milk and cold milks every 2 weeks
Housekeeping Duties:
Laundry (wash, fold, and put away) and trash
Clean cages and kennels
Dishes- litter pans, food and water bowls
Clean up after yourself
Keep food and uncovered drinks out of treatment area and surgical suite
Help maintain clean exam rooms, treatment areas and surgical suite and stock supplies in all hospital areas as needed.
Clean public and staff areas as needed.
Assist with facility and yard maintenance to maintain a clean, odorless and inviting environment- sweeping, mopping, dusting, etc as needed.
Clean ear cone cleaners
Client Communication Duties:
Professional, cheerful and helpful attitude when interacting with pet owners
Basic knowledge of common diseases, their symptoms and means of transmission
Knowledge of preventative health care recommendations to answer questions and assist in marketing veterinary services from which clients’ pets would benefit
Safety:
Administrative Duties:
Help in reception area
Know how to check out clients and discharge hospitalized patients
Understand proper medical record keeping and become proficient in using our veterinary practice-management software.
Understand front-desk procedures such as phone system, veterinary practice-management software and appointment scheduling guidelines
Attend staff meetings.
If asked, help assist in the training of new employees
Complete tasks delegated to you in efficient manner- inventory management, unpacking new inventory, surgical assistant responsibilities.
Educational Requirements & Skills Needed
Educational Requirements:
Skills Needed:
Ability and willingness to assist technicians, doctors, practice manager
Responsibilities will vary based on the practice’s current needs, the season and the individual skills of the employee
Ability to assist veterinarians in the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery
Effective verbal and written communication skills including interaction with staff as well as client interaction in person and over the phone.
Ability to work effectively as a team member
Must be able to follow directions, multi-task, initiate task without directions, work efficiently and effectively, learn quickly.
Able to remain calm in crisis situation.
Physical Obligations:
Able to lift patients and carry equipment up to 40 pounds without assistance
Endure sitting, standing and walking on hard floor surfaces for extended periods
Adequate typing skills and basic computer knowledge
Able to work in noisy work conditions with sounds from animals and equipment
Take safety precautions for exposure to toxins, drugs, anesthesia, and radiation.
Knowledge of and ability to safely handle and restrain domestic animals.