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Experienced Veterinary Assistant

Dakota Dunes, SD

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Job Description
Dunes Animal Hospital has an immediate opening for an experienced Veterinary Assistant to join our General Practice Hospital.

About Dunes Animal Hospital

Dunes Animal Hospital is a 3 doctor General Practice Hospital. We deliver a high level of care and take great pride in serving the community. We put a huge value on our staff, love what we do, and have fun together. This is a great opportunity to join a fantastic team! Please browse our site to learn more about our practice - www.dunesanimal.com.

Compensation + Benefits

We offer a very generous compensation package and anticipate a progressive growth of earnings.

• Yearly Reviews
• Quarterly Bonus
• Holiday Pay
• Vacation
• Health, Life, Dental, Vision

This position is for those that unconditionally love animals and want to positively influence the lives of pets. The Veterinary Technician is an essential member of the hospital team and is a very rewarding position for someone looking to grow in a profession that will allow them to serve the animal community.

These positions are fast-paced and the candidate must be able to multitask while remaining calm and friendly. The Veterinary Assistant supports the doctors in providing high quality patient care and excellent client service. More specifically, the Veterinary Assistant is responsible for obtaining baseline medical information, performing routine procedures, and assisting with surgery.

Hours include weekends and holidays.

Knowledge:

• Routine procedures including:
  • Baseline medical data: weight, temperature, etc.
  • Nail trims
  • Ear cleaning
  • Anal gland expression
• Prophylactic dental care
• Diagnostic testing, including FeLV, FIV, heartworm, fecal analysis, and urinalysis
• Blood testing and cytology sampling
• Hospital medications, protocols, and general medical recommendations
• Utilization and maintenance of anesthesia and hospital equipment.
• Telephone etiquette
• English language

Skills:

• Client service and interpersonal skills
• Patient restraint techniques
• Sample collection
• Dental scaling and polishing
• Reading and interpreting patient charts and treatment sheets
• Injections and catheter insertion
• Dental scaling and polishing
• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office, E-mail, and AVImark experience preferred)

Abilities:

• Professional and courteous
• Flexibility
• Willingness to learn
• Attention to detail
• Adherence to procedures and protocols
• Works well in team environment
• Self-starter and able to work with minimal supervision

General Tasks:

• Follows time clock procedures for clocking in and out at the start and end of the shift.
• Reports to work on time for each shift.
• Ensures the treatment area is clean and tidy, maintaining a professional appearance at all times.
• Assists the Hospital Manager with special projects during slow times.

Client Service:

• Maintains a professional and calm demeanor with all clients.
• Greets the client and patient and helps ensure an orderly transition from the reception area to the exam room.
• Acts as an intermediary between the doctor and the client, responsible for tasks such as client follow-up phone calls after a visit or surgery.
• Clearly and accurately explains all services, procedures, and treatments.
• Recommends routine treatments and educates the client appropriately.
• Provides the client with all appropriate educational materials.
• Updates patient files accurately and in a timely fashion to allow for an efficient client check-out process.
• Notes any recommended products or services in the chart and communicates these with the Client Service Representative.

Patient Examination:

• Demonstrates and utilizes proper restraining techniques.
• Reads and accurately interprets the patient chart.
• Obtains and records baseline medication information.
• Completes routine procedures such as nail trims, ear cleaning, and anal gland expression.
• Completes all necessary updates to the patient chart
• Utilizes the hospital computer system to enter appropriate products and services (This responsibility may be shared with the Client Service Representative).

Laboratory and Diagnostics:

• Collects appropriate blood samples for various diagnostic tests.
• Properly runs diagnostic tests.
• Obtains necessary cytology samples for ear swabs and skin scrapings.
• Collects samples for fecal analysis
• Accurately completes and submits all laboratory samples and paperwork.
• Properly obtains and processes radiographs utilizing the correct protective garments, labeling, positioning, and exposure.

Patient Treatment and Surgical Assistance:

• Completes dental scaling and polishing.
• Prepares patient for surgery, including aseptic technique and monitoring equipment.
• Monitors patient during anesthesia and recovery.
• Maintains surgical packs (cleanliness, contents, and sterility).
• Maintains exam and surgical equipment.

Qualifications - Education/ Experience:

• High school degree
• One year experience working as an Assistant preferred but not required

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Competitive - depends on experience

National Veterinary Associates is a leading global pet care organization united in the love of animals and the people who love them.

NVA, a community of approximately 1,400 premier locations consisting primarily of general practice veterinary hospitals in addition to equine hospitals and pet resorts, and Ethos Veterinary Health, which consists of 145 world-class specialty and emergency hospitals, are rooted in a culture of compassion and innovation.

NVA and Ethos Veterinary Health’s innovative, collaborative approach underpins a shared commitment to delivering exceptional veterinary care. For more information, visit www.nva.com.

NVA offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, a 401k with employer match, and paid time off (including sick time) for all eligible employees. The team can provide more information about compensation and benefits for your specific location during the process. For positions based in Colorado, NVA provides eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave and public health emergency leave in accordance with the requirements of Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.

NVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.