Veterinary Assistant I

Uptown Animal Hospital is a growing General Practice and Urgent Care Hybrid facility in the beautiful city of Gig Harbor. We are open seven days a week and are an AAHA accredited facility.  Our team is a compassionate group of veterinary professionals that include Urgent Care and General Practice veterinarians, Licensed Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Assistants, Kennel assistants and Customer Service representatives who work as a cohesive team, providing quality, compassionate care to the surrounding communities because they love what they do and have fun doing it.  Our clients are loyal, and we boast a high retention rate in our general practice as well as providing urgent care services, should the need arise. We are a full-service hospital providing in-house diagnostics, digital radiology (including dental), ultrasonography, an onsite pharmacy and a state-of-the-art surgical suite. We also provide a feline only waiting area and exam room to limit the stress to our feline patients.  Our lobby provides ample space for our human clients, making them as comfortable as possible during their visit. 

In addition to providing a fun and rewarding workplace, we also offer a wonderful benefit package including 401K with company match, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, annual uniforms provided, competitive salary, CE opportunities, Paid time off and personal pet care discounts.  

We are looking for a qualified Veterinary Assistant to join our amazing team.  If interested, please submit a cover letter and resume.

Any Potential Veterinary Assistant Candidate will need to be able to do the following: 

- Can provide compassionate care to patients and clients. Displays excellent customer service.

- Can legibly keep accurate medical records in accordance hospital policy in Avimark. 

- Can answer multiple incoming phone calls efficiently, while displaying a calm and positive demeanor, while also checking clients in and out at the front desk and attending their needs.

- Can prepare and maintain the exam rooms, lobby, and treatment areas.

- Will work with fellow teammates to ensure all clients and patients are cared for timely and adequately.

- Can effectively restrain pets, even when aggressive, large or difficult.

- Understands all common vaccinations and vaccination protocols and can adequately explain to clients.

- Understands the importance of a clean and orderly facility, does not hesitate to clean or organize as part of a normal job duty. Completes assigned weekly cleaning duties.

- Can handle client's medical questions with confidence and direct to veterinarians when appropriate.

- Can prepare estimates for procedures and discuss financial commitments with clients supporting hospital financial policies.

- Can give SQ, IM and IV injections.

- Can explain necessary follow up and homecare instructions.

- Understands usage, dosage, and common side-effects for commonly used prescription drugs and can readily explain them to the clients.

- Has understanding of common pet emergency symptoms and can assist in triaging patients.

- Can assist the veterinarian in medical, surgical and dental procedures; prepares patients for surgery; administers anesthesia; monitors patients during surgery and recovery; administers fluids.

- Can properly care for all surgical materials; keep the operating room properly stocked and prepared for surgery.

- Can perform emergency procedures such as control of bleeding, resuscitation with oxygen, opening airways, and external cardiac massage under vet supervision.

- Can perform clinical laboratory procedures such as fecal flotation exams, heartworm checks, skin scrapings, urinalysis, and fungal cultures; draws blood for laboratory analysis; maintains file of lab test results and ensures that test results are recorded in patient records.

- Can effectively position for and take radiographs.

- Can perform electrocardiograms.

- Can place IV catheters and properly care for them. Understands the use and care of IV pumps as well.

- Knows common disease states and can alert veterinarians when symptoms change or when concerns arise with hospitalized patients.

- Can prepare a patient and the machine for an ultrasound procedure.

- Can admit patients following hospital policy and doctors written orders.

- Can discharge patients based on the veterinarian's orders, ensuring that patients are well groomed and in a medically appropriate state.

- Can perform any other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience

- Experience with Avimark Software (not required but is preferred)

- High School Diploma or GED

- Two to Three Years experience in a veterinary hospital is required

- Wage depends on experience

Benefits:

- 401K

- Health Insurance

- Dental/Vision Insurance

- Paid time off

- Employee Assistance Program

- Professional Development assistance

- Employee Discount

- Medical Clerk License paid

- Fear Free Certification paid