Veterinary Assistant Tech - Equine + Small Animal

Description

Pony Express Veterinary Hospital is truly where compassion meets excellence! Whether our patients have paws, claws, or hooves…we care for them like our own. At our core, we are passionate animal lovers who happen to be highly skilled small, mixed and equine veterinary professionals. We love all our patients like our own, and everything we do is about caring for them in the best possible way. We train, we learn, we evolve, and we focus on how to help them live the longest, happiest, healthiest life possible. Here, our patients and clients only get our best, every single time. We love this community in Xenia, and we are deeply inspired by the love that our community shares with its animals. Here, it doesn’t matter how big or small our patients are, since our passions know no size. At Pony Express, we are always here to protect and treat them with the highest level of care.  

Position Overview

The purpose of this position is to ensure quality care for pets and promote greater efficiency by relieving technicians and veterinarians of technical and administrative work. The Assistant performs a variety of patient- and client-care duties and conducts patient assessments, oversees animals recovering from anesthesia, and performs procedures and treatments.

The Assistant uses sound judgment when making decisions about patient care, responds quickly and calmly to emergencies, and maintains high standards of patient care. This person communicates clearly with the veterinarians, other practice personnel, and clients to ensure that patients receive the care they need. Assistants are friendly and flexible in the face of varying expectations from clients and coworkers. They multi-task, prioritize tasks well, and think creatively. Veterinary Assistants strongly believe in the quality of care provided and communicate this sense of assurance to clients. The Assistant provides patient and client comfort by keeping the hospital clean and presentable and may provide training to other members of the healthcare team. 

Position reports to Practice Manager and receives direction from veterinarians. Equine appointments are both "hail-in" and mobile.

Primary Responsibilities

Patient Care

• Provides compassionate patient care, keeping patients clean, dry, and comfortable.
• Alerts the veterinarian(s) to changes in patients’ condition.
• Recognizes patients with contagious disease and follows relevant procedures.
• Provides safe and effective patient restraint.
• Medicates patients.
• Uses proper safety techniques and positioning for radiological procedures.
• Recovers patients from anesthesia. 
• Assists veterinarians and technicians in surgery and dentistry.
• Performs basic emergency care, CPR, and intensive care as needed.
• Helps with and documents patient treatments.
• Walks, cleans, and feeds patients.
• Sets up and assists with procedures, such as IV catheterization and other common treatments.
• Bathes patients as needed.
• Assists with patient admits and releases as needed.
• Ensures patients leave in better condition than when they arrived (e.g., clean and with IV catheter removed).
• Maintains knowledge of drugs and their uses. 
• Calculates drug dosages and fills prescriptions accurately; asks for guidance if necessary.
• Assists with lab tests as needed.
• Completes medical records accurately and efficiently.
• Performs procedures such as pedicures and fluid administration.

Equipment and Facility Maintenance

• Cleans, cares for, and packs surgical equipment properly.
• Keeps hospital clean and stocked.
• Removes trash from hospital and sweeps and mops floors daily.
• Launderers soiled blankets, towels, and other linens.
• Utilizes in-house inventory control procedures to ensure items are stocked appropriately.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Hourly compensation offered will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Additional compensation available for active Credentialed Veterinary Technician.
• 401k with 100% employer matching of 1st 3%
• Eligibility to participate in Employee Stock Option Program when launched
• Annual Continuing Education allowance for industry specific certifications
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (available after 30 days). Paid 100% for full-time employees - Buy-up medical plan available. Additional family member coverage available at the employee’s expense
• Healthcare Reimbursement Account benefits
• PTO: 2 weeks PTO year one, 4 weeks year two+6 flex/bereavement/sick days + 6 paid holidays (available after 90 days)
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Life Insurance and AD&D – Employer paid for the employee
• Additional voluntary benefits for Critical Illness, Additional Life and AD&D available
• EAP Wellness and Work/Life coaches & services
• Pet care discounts
• Scrub allowance

OUR COMMUNITY:  Close to Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus, Xenia Ohio is a diverse, friendly community with quality-of-life options, including bike trails, award-winning schools, a historic downtown, and splendid parks. It offers a safe small-town feel for young singles, working families, and anyone seeking a quaint town and affordable place to work and play. Xenia, Greek for “hospitality” lives up to its name with friendly people and welcoming culture. People from all over travel to Xenia to enjoy the warm summer weather, outdoor recreation opportunities, and several state parks within a short commute. Come see for yourself why Xenia is a great place to call home!?  

Requirements

• Education equivalent to the completion of the 12th grade.
• At least one year of recent experience in veterinary practice or medical environment, with increasing responsibilities. 
• Equine veterinary assistance experience a PLUS
• Demonstrated ability to accurately manage and record detailed information in medical records and other data-management systems. Experience with Covetrus Pulse a bonus!
• Ability to properly restrain patients.
• Knowledge of spelling and meaning of commonly used veterinary medical terminology and procedures. 
• Ability to complete assigned tasks in the time allotted without direct supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to show empathy toward clients and treat animals with respect and compassion.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• A commitment to outstanding client service.
• Ability to lift objects weighing 40 pounds without assistance and objects weighing more than 40 pounds with assistance.
• Ability to stay on task and work energetically for entire shift, sometimes exceeding 10 hours per day.