Veterinary Assistant bei Richmond SPCA

Description

Full-time, four 10-hour shifts per week

Reports to Manager of Patient Services

The Richmond SPCA is a non-profit organization located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia. As a leader in the field of animal welfare, we are cultivating a community committed to saving, protecting and enriching animal lives with a mission to provide education and resources to achieve and sustain a no-kill community. Annually, we rescue, rehabilitate and find homes for about 4,000 homeless animals while also providing our region with vital safety net programs designed to keep thousands of pets in loving homes and out of shelters. Our values of collaboration, creativity, honesty, inclusion and respect guide not only what we do – but how we do it.  

The Richmond SPCA’s Susan M. Markel Veterinary Hospital is a full-service, low-cost hospital with a mission to provide quality, accessible care to our community. On our hospital team, veterinary assistants perform basic diagnostic and treatment tasks, communicate with pet guardians during appointments, keep workspaces clean, assist with surgical prep and recovery of pet patients, and provide support to our licensed Doctors of Veterinary Medicine and Licensed Veterinary Technicians.

Essential Functions

• Communicate effectively and compassionately with pet guardians during appointments, include delivering education and counseling, and relay appropriate information to licensed staff
• Handling (leash-walking, lifting, and carrying) and medical restraint of dog and cat patients; placing and securing dogs and cats in carriers/kennels
• Provide support to licensed Doctors of Veterinary Medicine and Licensed Veterinary Technicians
• Perform basic diagnostic and treatment tasks related to patient care after appropriate training period (ear cleaning, administration of vaccines, basic rapid testing, etc.)
• Follow established operational protocols, patient care standards, safety guidelines, equipment handling procedures, and documentation requirements to ensure consistent, efficient, and compliant hospital operations
• Assist with high-volume surgery via surgical prep and recovery of dogs and cats
• Perform clerical work, data entry into patient charts, and invoicing promptly and accurately, as needed
• Maintain client confidentiality
• Recognize abnormalities necessitating attention related to patient care (basic VITAL signs, triage protocols, etc.)
• Clean workspaces, exam rooms, kennels, and surgical areas, including sweeping, dusting, mopping, emptying trash, restocking supplies
• Participate in required trainings and meetings
• Other related duties as assigned

Requirements

• Ability to work in a high volume, fast-paced environment
• Comfort handling/learning to handle dogs and including fearful or fractious patients
• Weekday availability; early morning and evening availability required (no nights or holidays)
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Have reliable transportation, including during inclement weather

Qualifications, Skills and Expectations

• Effective, professional and empathetic customer service skills and communication (written and verbal) with the public, volunteers, and all Richmond SPCA employees
• Attitude that contributes to a welcoming, accessible, compassionate and respectful atmosphere
• Ability to multi-task, follow directions (written and verbal), adapt, and accommodate changing demands productively
• Basic medical knowledge or capacity to learn basic medical terminology and procedures
• Ability to respond appropriately during an emergency and to take direction from licensed veterinary staff and/or management
• Ability to provide productive feedback to management
• Ability to recognize a need for assistance and ask for help
• Strong work ethic, reliability, punctuality
• Commitment to the wellbeing of pet patients and clients
• Resourcefulness and ability to work independently in a mature, professional, and productive capacity
• Team-oriented mindset with a willingness to communicate
• Strong time management and prioritization skills
• Computer skills and ability to learn new computer systems; knowledge of DaySmart Vet a plus
• Experience working in the veterinary field preferred, but not required
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred, but not required

Physical Job Requirements

• Able to routinely lift 50 pounds
• Able to push/pull a large cart
• Able to work with animals (including those who are sick or injured or who have behavior challenges)
• Able to bend, kneel, stoop, use stairs and use your arms in a repetitive manner
• Able to physically restrain a dog weighing up to 50 pounds
• Able to be on your feet for a 10-hour shift
• Willing to work in all weather conditions
• Have physical strength to perform cleaning duties effectively and efficiently

Work Environment

• Rapid pace with limited exposure to potential hazards including animal waste, cat litter, various chemicals and disinfectants
• High levels of noise at times
• Potential for animal bites and scratches and zoonotic disease (transmitted from animals to people)

All employees are eligible to become clients of the low-cost, full-service Susan M. Markel Veterinary Hospital of the Richmond SPCA. Employees who average 20+ hours a week can participate in our 401(k) retirement plan and have access to paid wellness leave. 

Full-time employees are eligible for insurance benefits, including medical, dental, and vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and paid personal leave.