Hollymead Veterinary Hospital - Veterinary Assistant

Hollymead Veterinary Hospital offers General Practice and Urgent Care services to companion animals in Charlottesville, Virginia. Formerly known as VETSS (Veterinary Emergency Treatment and Specialty Services), our hospital has provided emergency services to the Charlottesville community for over 30 years. In 2018, as the landscape of veterinary care evolved, we began shifting towards urgent care and general practice services.  

Hollymead Veterinary Hospital is a general practice and urgent care hospital located in Charlottesville, VA. We deliver comprehensive veterinary care while empowering pet owners with the knowledge and guidance to make informed decisions, fostering a supportive environment that promotes the health, well-being, and happiness of both pets and their families. Our core values are compassion, collaboration, respect, and support. We promote a learning environment and understand the importance of work-life balance.    

We are seeking a part-time or full-time, experienced veterinary assistant to join our team of dedicated and highly skilled individuals. We believe veterinary assistants play an essential role in providing high quality care to our patients. Experience in a veterinary hospital is required for this role. 

Benefits

• Health/dental/vision


• Short-term and long-term disability  


• 401k


• Flexible schedule  


• Paid time off  


• Hospital-funded CE opportunities


• Employee assistance program, and mental health resources  


• Uniform allowance  


• Generous pet discount program 


• LVT scholarship opportunities


• Reimbursement for rabies vaccine


• Career growth opportunities

 Requirements

• Strong written and oral communication skills


• Able to remain calm in stressful situations


• Able to sit and/or stand for extended period; shift times range from 9-12 hours


• Able to lift 40 pounds


• Basic veterinary knowledge and terminology 


• At least 6 months of experience as a veterinary assistant in a hospital setting   

Our veterinary assistant team is responsible for the following, 

 Patient Care 

• Handle and restrain patients appropriately to minimize stress while ensuring safety of the pet and team members; understand general animal behavior and recognize the signs of fear, aggression and stress 

• Assist LVTs with nursing care to hospitalized patients; document treatments; make certain the pet is in a comfortable and clean housing area with access to fresh water  

• Able to use in-house lab equipment;  collect and prepare samples for reference lab 

• Assist with technician appointments; document medical services provided; record current weight and vitals 

• Dispense medications per veterinarian’s  instructions  

• Demonstrate compassion and patience when handling pets  

• Assist veterinarians in exam rooms  

Client Services  

• Provide client education materials and answer questions in a professional, compassionate and respectful manner  

• Ensure client concerns or questions are addressed in a timely manner; fill prescription refills (approval must be obtained from LVT or veterinarian first)  

• Review treatment plans with owners professionally and using proper veterinary terminology; answer any questions or defer to a LVT or veterinarian  

• Document all client communication with sufficient details; utilizing proper grammar, spelling and veterinary terminology  

• Prepare paperwork for referral hospitals or consultations  

• Obtain an accurate and relevant history from clients in a timely manner 

• Discharge exam room patients; going over instructions with owners thoroughly and providing print materials when needed 

• Demonstrating patience and compassion during client interactions  

• Enter all charges and inform the front desk when client can be checked out; help process payments when needed 

General  

• Ensure hospital areas such as exam rooms and treatment room are clean, organized and free of safety hazards; clean up pet accidents or fluids immediately; bring any safety concerns to the practice manager’s attention immediately  

• Complete tasks on the daily, weekly and monthly checklists; keep exam rooms and treatment areas stocked with necessary supplies 

• Properly use and maintain medical equipment; troubleshoot when needed 

• Adhere to core values, medical protocols, and operational policies