Veterinary Assistant in Anaheim, California at Animal Orthopedic Center

Summary of Job Purpose and Function

The primary function of the Veterinary Assistant is to work alongside the doctor and registered technicians, taking and recording patients’ medical history and the ability to clearly communicate with clients. Demonstrate the efficient use of our computer software to create, present and record vital signs. Build effective working relationships with colleagues. Meet expectations by adhering to policies and procedures.

Essential Responsibilities and Tasks:

• Attend required staff meetings
• Assist across services during downtime or as directed by a Supervisor/Manager
• Aids in the development of others to competently perform skill at any level
• Ability to triage (Ability to admit patients according to hospital procedures and standards in accordance with the hospital policy.)
• Appropriately restrain feline and canine patients in accordance with AVMA policies and procedures
• Daily maintenance of hospital cleanliness

Client Communication:

• Uses practice management software to maintain client and patient records according to hospital protocols.
• Maintain solid grasp of common veterinary medical terms, abbreviations and can converse with clients and colleagues.
• Understands and utilizes proper medical record documentation. Notates communications, treatments and pertinent patient care updates and status according to AVMA guidelines.
• Communicates with owners efficiently obtaining patient updates and relaying the clinician’s recommendations clearly and accurately
• Able to obtain accurate patient history and follow appropriate line of questioning during appointments.
• Prepares medications, documents and patient for discharge, and communicates discharge instructions to client.
• Ability to understand patient treatment plans and is able to present them to clients in a clear manner.

Radiology:

• Uses radiology software and performs radiography using proper technique and PPE
• Understand and utilize non-manual restraint and positioning techniques when performing radiographs.

Laboratory:

• Able to select and properly utilize blood tubes for diagnostics
• Performs all common in-house laboratory diagnostics

Medical Math:

• Calculates basic medical math accurately and efficiently

Surgical:

• Knowledge of identification of surgical/procedural instruments and equipment including proper storage.
• Demonstrate proper use of hospital PPE; adhere to safety hospital standards, including Hazardous Drug Handling
• Foundational knowledge of common surgical procedures
• Properly hand instruments and equipment needed during surgical procedures and maintain sterility
• Properly clean, prepare and sterilize all surgical instruments and equipment
• Ability to set-up for basic procedures
• Understands and utilizes aseptic techniques used during any surgical and non-surgical procedure
• Able to assist with patient positioning for surgical and imaging purposes

Nursing Care:

• Support Clinician and client throughout euthanasia process
• Able to obtain TPR’s and assist with full physical examination
• Compassionately, calmly and gently approach and handle patients
• Ability to obtain blood pressure
• Understands classification of commonly used medications, associated side effects and appropriately monitors therapeutic response
• Ability to reconstitute medications appropriately
• Able to set up intravenous fluids. Ability to disconnect and connect patients’ IV fluids aseptically
• Can operate all brands of intravenous fluids pumps and can troubleshoot errors

Qualities:

• Strong interpersonal skills: able to effectively communicate with clients, doctors, management, hospital personnel
• Strong organizational/time management skills: able to set, prioritize and attain goals with attention to detail
• Strong sense of integrity: able to maintain highest ethical standards, personal responsibility and accountability and confidentiality of clients, doctors, and all staff
• Strong analytical thinking skills: ability to use objective data to solve problems/create solutions
• Follows and upholds the veterinary technology profession’s ethical codes
• Adheres to Employee Policy Manual, Hospital procedures, OSHA guidelines, and Safety Plans