What are the responsibilities and job description for the Veterinary Assistant/Technician position at ANIMAL HOSPITAL OF MEBANE?
1. Patient Care
- Safely handle, restrain, and monitor dogs and cats.
- Assist with examinations, treatments, procedures, and diagnostics.
- Obtain and record patient vital signs, including temperature, pulse, and respiration.
- Collect and properly handle blood, urine, fecal, and other diagnostic samples.
- Administer medications and vaccines as directed and within the employee's level of training and authorization.
- Monitor hospitalized and boarding patients, including feeding, walking, cleaning, and documenting patient care.
- Recognize changes in patient condition and promptly communicate concerns to the veterinarian or appropriate team member.
- Maintain clean, comfortable, and sanitary patient areas.
2. Medical and Technical Responsibilities
- Prepare exam rooms, treatment areas, and equipment for appointments and procedures.
- Assist with laboratory testing, radiographs, and other diagnostic procedures.
- Perform venipuncture, place IV catheters, administer fluids, and assist with treatments as trained and authorized.
- Assist with surgical preparation, anesthesia monitoring, recovery, and post-operative care as trained and authorized.
- Assist with dental procedures, including dental radiographs, scaling, polishing, and charting as trained and authorized.
- Properly clean, disinfect, sterilize, and maintain medical equipment and instruments.
- Maintain accurate patient records and medical documentation.
- Follow all hospital protocols for medication handling, inventory, and controlled substances.
3. Client Communication and Customer Service
- Communicate professionally and compassionately with clients.
- Assist with patient discharges and explain veterinarian-approved home-care instructions.
- Answer client questions within the scope of knowledge and refer medical questions to the appropriate medical team member.
- Assist with phone calls, prescription requests, messages, and client follow-up.
- Maintain client confidentiality and professional boundaries.
- Demonstrate patience and empathy when working with concerned, upset, or grieving clients.
4. Hospital Workflow and Organization
- Assist with maintaining an efficient patient flow from check-in through checkout.
- Stay aware of the hospital's needs and assist coworkers when additional help is needed.
- Complete assigned responsibilities, including medical notes, treatments, messages, laboratory samples, and patient care.
- Communicate when tasks cannot be completed or when additional assistance is needed.
- Prioritize urgent patient needs while maintaining awareness of other responsibilities.
- Keep exam rooms, treatment areas, kennels, and shared workspaces clean and organized.
- Assist with laundry, stocking, cleaning, and general closing responsibilities.
- Take ownership of assigned tasks and follow through without requiring repeated reminders.
5. Teamwork and Professionalism
- Treat all coworkers, clients, and patients with respect.
- Maintain a positive, professional, and cooperative attitude, even during stressful or busy periods.
- Communicate concerns appropriately and respectfully through the proper chain of command.
- Be willing to help coworkers and contribute to the overall success of the team.
- Accept constructive feedback and direction from doctors and leadership.
- Support and encourage coworkers who are learning new skills.
- Demonstrate flexibility when hospital needs or assignments change.
- Avoid gossip, negativity, unnecessary conflict, and behavior that disrupts teamwork.
- Lead by example through dependability, accountability, and professionalism.
General Expectations
Every team member is expected to:
- Arrive on time and be prepared to begin working at the scheduled start time.
- Demonstrate urgency and appropriate time management throughout the workday.
- Remain productive and engaged during slower periods.
- Communicate when leaving an assigned area or when assistance is needed.
- Follow hospital policies, protocols, and safety procedures.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and professional work environment.
- Take responsibility for mistakes and work toward solutions.
- Be open to continued education, training, and professional development.
- Understand that patient care and the needs of the hospital are shared responsibilities.
Qualifications and Skills
- Previous veterinary experience preferred; willingness to learn and be trained required.
- Knowledge of animal behavior and safe animal handling.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work independently while contributing to a team.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to follow instructions and accept constructive feedback.
- Compassion for animals and their owners.
- Dependable attendance and professional conduct.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, with assistance or appropriate lifting equipment when needed.
- Ability to safely restrain and handle animals of varying sizes and temperaments.
- Ability to bend, kneel, reach, and perform physical duties throughout the workday.
- Ability to work around animal dander, cleaning products, medications, and other veterinary hospital materials.
Pay: $15.00 - $26.00 per hour
Expected hours: No less than 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- Continuing education credits
- Employee discount
- License reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Uniform allowance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $15 - $26