Veterinary Assistant at Goodlettsville Animal Hospital

Practice:

Goodlettsville Animal Hospital is proud to be a well-established practice in a great community!

Our 5-doctor team utilizes multiple exam rooms, a full lab and in-house pharmacy, digital radiology, ultrasound, and more to provide top level care to our companion animal patients. We're a busy practice with a well-established name in the community, and we look forward to continuing our legacy for years to come!

More about the Role:

The Veterinary Assistant assists the veterinarians and technicians with patient care and treatment, monitors hospitalized pets, maintains inventory, prepares prescriptions, performs routine in-house laboratory work, educates clients regarding veterinary care and procedures, and assists with surgical procedures.

Schedule and Availability Requirements

Our hospital operates during the following hours:

• Monday & Thursday: 6:30 AM – 8:00 PM 

• Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 6:30 AM – 6:00 PM 

• Saturday: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM 

• Sunday: Closed to the public 

Veterinary assistants typically work 10-hour shifts, with shorter shifts on Saturdays. Availability to work across all operating hours is required, and every other Saturday is a mandatory shift. 

Veterinary assistants also participate in a rotating Sunday boarding-care schedule, working either a morning or evening shift to assist kennel staff with feeding, walking, and cleaning the boarding areas.

Additionally, employees are required to work a minimum of one holiday shift per year. 

Candidates must be able to meet these scheduling requirements to be considered for the position.

Competencies:

• Patience & Compassion: Remaining professional while still making teammates, clients, and patients feel as comfortable as possible regardless of the situation or challenges presented. Responding quickly and calmly to crisis while maintaining a high standard of patient care.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Carefully coordinating actions with veterinarians and practice team members. Providing feedback appropriately and in a timely manner. Quickly incorporating feedback to ensure positive results. Sharing ideas and being open to other’s ideas.
• Communicating: Conveying instructions to clients and teammates to ensure successful patient care.
• Active Listening: Following the instructions of veterinarians and sometimes patient owners. Picking up the needs of veterinarians and teammates based on prior experiences and feedback.
• Organization Skills: Clear tracking of lab specimens, medications, patient instructions, workflow, and other job-related items while managing multiple patients and clients.
• Client Satisfaction: Ensuring all activities and interactions result in the highest level of client satisfaction.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Assist veterinarians in the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery and other tasks as needed.
• Assist veterinarians in outpatient exams by taking histories, vital signs, and weights, as well as providing client education.
• Prepare patients for surgery and monitor vital signs of the patient during surgery.
• Obtain blood, stool, and other samples; perform in-hospital laboratory testing and prepare specimens for outside laboratories.
• Take, develop, and maintain radiographs following proper safety procedures.
• Provide basic animal handling and restrain animals during exams.
• Administer and monitor medications, anesthesia, vaccines, and treatments at the discretion of the veterinarian.
• Clean and straighten exam rooms, treatment, and lab areas; restock exam rooms with supplies. Assist other team members to keep the public areas of the practice clean; clean and maintain all medical equipment.
• Demonstrate warmth, courtesy and professionalism in all interactions with clients; exercise compassion and care in all interactions with patients.
• Communicate with veterinarians and practice team members including client discussions, patient plans, client concerns, etc.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Requirements/Qualifications:

• Ability to work on weekends as required
• Previous veterinary experience preferred
• Ability to lift patients and carry equipment up to 25 pounds; ability to lift patients or carry equipment over 25 pounds with assistance
• Practice OSHA safety techniques including proper PPE
• Basic math and the ability to calculate medication dosages
• Basic computer skills, familiarity with MS office applications, etc.
• Strong communication skills to ensure patient safety

Benefits Offered:

• Paid time off
• Health insurance; dental insurance; vision insurance
• Retirement benefits or accounts
• Bonus incentive
• Flexible work schedules
• Career and professional development
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Referral Program

Benefits offered may vary depending on full or part time employment status according to company policy. 

Pay Range:

USD $15.00 - USD $18.00 /Hr.