Veterinary Assistant

Veterinary Assistant

Employees hired for the position of Veterinary Assistant have the following responsibilities:

ASSISTING IN APPOINTMENTS:

1. Preparing for appointments: the veterinary assistant aids in the preparation for appointments by ensuring that exam rooms are clean and stocked prior to the appointment (this should be attended to by the kennel assistant when possible), that the necessary equipment is available for the appointment (pediatric scale, otoscope/ophthalmoscope/thermometer, others), and that they are knowledgeable about the patient (through review of most recent medical records). The assistant must review the services that the patient is overdue for and review this with the technician assisting the veterinarian, or directly with the veterinarian.
2. Greeting clients/patients and escorting client/patient into exam rooms; obtaining history and vital signs including weight, temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate and mucous membrane color/CRT. Reviewing reason for appointment and asking pertinent questions about recent health status. Recording data in computerized medical record notes. Make sure to ask about diet.
3. Review of recommended services for each patient – this includes general preventive care recommendations including immunizations, wellness labwork, parasite screening, heartworm/tick disease testing, FeLV/FIV testing, and dental care
4. Accurately relaying history and health concerns expressed by the client to the veterinarian. Preparing for the veterinarians exam and procedures to be done during the appointment including administration of vaccines, collection of blood or urine samples
5. Assisting with diagnostics for the patient including restraint for blood draw or urine collection, walking for lameness evaluation, assisting with radiographs or ultrasound, and other diagnostics as indicated
6. Assist in performing basic outpatient treatments including ear cleaning, nail trimming, anal gland expression, subcutaneous fluids, and injections
7. Assist in discharge of the client at conclusion of the appointment ensuring that the client understands directions for the patient care at home, and directions for any medications to administer
8. Ensuring that the PVL (patient visit list) is completed and accurate and that there are orders for recheck appointment for the receptionists to follow
9. Cleaning up the exam room after appointments (when kennel staff are not available) to prepare for the next appointment
10. Keeping accurate track of the appointment book ensuring that appointments stay on time
11. Assisting technicians in performing diagnostics and treatments for patients seen on an outpatient basis
12. Assisting veterinarians with euthanasia procedures as needed

 MEDICAL RECORD DATA ENTRY: The veterinary assistant is responsible for entry of patient data and client communications in the practice software, and updating due dates for veterinary care as needed.

ASSISTING WITH LABORATORY: The veterinary assistant helps techncians and veterinarians complete in-clinic diagnostic tests as well as preparation of samples to send to the reference laboratory. 

ASSISTING WITH IMAGING: The veterinary assistant helps technicians and veterinarians with completion of radiographic and ultrasonographic imaging studies.

ASSISTING WITH SURGERY/DENTISTRY: The veterinary assistant helps technicians/doctors examine patients prior to procedures, restrain patients for administration of drugs and placement of IV catheters. Assistants will be the helping hands for Technicians on surgery

EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE: The veterinary assistant aids technicians in upkeep of hospital equipment including lab equipment, autoclave, dental equipment, imaging equipment, and anesthesia monitoring equipment. 

CARE OF HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS:

1. Hospitalized patients have treatment sheets or whiteboard orders (post op cases)  indicating when the patient is to have nursing care by technicians and assistants.
2. The assistant should help the technician complete nursing care on the patient and complete such treatments as vital signs, feeding/watering, administering medications, walking outdoors, urine or stool collection

ANSWERING PHONES:

The veterinary assistant must have good client communication skills when called upon to update clients as to the status of their pet while hospitalized. The veterinary assistant must relay information between the veterinarian/technician team and client as needed with confidence and polished delivery.

GENERAL HOUSEKEEPING:

The veterinary assistant must help the kennel assistant as needed in keeping hospital areas clean and tidy throughout the day and at the end of the day.