Veterinary Assistant - Nashville, TN

Veterinary Assistant Job Description

 
Qualifications

Comfortable with cats and dogs of all breeds and sizes. 

Capable of appropriately & safely restraining pets. 

Able to lift 50 lbs and stand for long periods. 

Detail-oriented with the ability to think clearly in a busy environment. 

Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking skills 

Willing to develop an appreciation and understanding of non-conventional veterinary medicine. 

Work independently. 

Great attitude with pets, clients, and co-workers. 

Reliable, trustworthy, team player with adequate computer skills. 

Ability to multi-task, be responsible, and show up to work on time. 

Responsibilities

Provide gentle and caring restraint for patient and team safety 

Assist veterinarians with procedures and surgeries 

Understand normal vital parameters and alert veterinarians when abnormal 

Assist with collection of urine, fecal, blood, and other samples for in-house and external labs, perform in-house lab tests, x-ray, cystocentesis, and more 

Preserve and ship samples to external laboratories while being aware of factors that may affect test accuracy 

Understand basic differences between common diagnostic tests 

Recognize and communicate the purpose of routine tests such as CBC, chemistry panels, fecal exams, urinalysis, and cytology 

Assist with dental cleanings (under the supervision of a veterinarian) 

Assist with placement of IV catheters 

Calculate basic medical math, understand the classification of commonly used medications, and associated side effects, and appropriately monitor therapeutic response. 

Administers medications via appropriate route and duration (under the supervision of a veterinarian) 

Prepares medications and patients for discharge, and communicates discharge instructions to clients 

Counsel clients regarding behavior, obesity, geriatric care, nutritional and dietary problems, flea and tick control, and recommend laboratory work (such as pre-anesthetic profiles, heartworm tests, feline leukemia tests, and geriatric physicals).  

Learn and maintain a solid grasp of common veterinary medical terms and abbreviations 

Read and follow verbal or written treatment plans and orders correctly and promptly 

Assist with patient nursing care in accordance with our core values and standards of care 

Schedule new appointments and rechecks and perform follow-ups with clients 

Monitors clinic email/cases if needed 

Ensure the clinic is a clean, calm, and positive environment to facilitate excellent patient care and client well-being 

Prepares appointment rooms before scheduled patient visits, and ensures all surgical equipment is properly sterilized and stored, and that the surgical suite is clean and well-stocked 

Actively participates in weekly team meetings and other team activities 

Collaborates with team members to continuously improve our services, relationships, and quality of care 

Effectively utilizes our Practice Management System and other technology 

Conducts all activities with professionalism and a commitment to quality and excellence 

Maintains a calm and positive attitude at all times for our patient's safety and wellbeing 

Performs other duties as directed.