General Description of Position
The veterinary assistant assists the veterinarian with office visits and exams, takes care of the everyday needs of pets in the hospital ward and boarding facility, if applicable, and helps maintains the hospital facility, keeping it neat and clean.
Job Requirements/ Skills/ Physical Demands
An employee in this position must have a sense of caring for animals, be able to lift approximately 50 pounds, walk dogs of up to 130 pounds, work on feet all day, and read and understand English.
Reports to: Office Manager and Assistant Manager(s), or Veterinary Technician Supervisor.
Essential Functions
- Provide compassionate care for pets
- Restrain pets for veterinarians and technicians
- Assist in the taking of x-rays
- Monitor and collect urine and fecal samples as needed
- Monitor, record, and report physical signs of hospitalized/boarded pets
- Clean cages, runs, boarding area and/or hospital facilities, including exam rooms, treatment room, exotics and isolation area, employee lounge, bathrooms and doctor’s office
- Maintain reception area in a neat and sanitary condition
- Provide clean bedding, water and litter pans for pets
- Feed hospitalized/boarded pets as needed
- Exercise hospitalized/boarded dogs as needed
- Take incoming pets to appropriate areas
- Bathe pets and prepare pets for dismissal
- Retrieve pets that are being discharged
- Re-stock ward with food from food room
- Bring retail food to reception area
- Re-stock reception area shelves
- Do laundry
- Wash and sanitize pet dishes
- Perform other duties as assigned