Emergency & Critical Care Veterinary Assistant (Level 3-6)

*Description*
A veterinary assistant's primary function in the Emergency Care Department at Apex Vets is to provide the highest quality in:

• Patient nursing care
• Client service
• Assistance to veterinarians and all other coworkers

In doing so, the veterinary assistant will make a positive difference in the lives of each patient, client, and coworker.

This job description is in the company's goal of advancing the capabilities of all team members. Specific skills and how they are to be performed may be detailed in the training syllabus for each veterinary nursing level. Requirements listed in this job description are essential functions, some of which will require more responsibility and knowledge as the employee gains experience and is promoted to a higher nursing level.

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to conform to the following:

• Work with personal accountability and exceptional morale. Perform quality work within the scope of the mission of Apex Vets and uphold the core principles of Care, Collaboration, Continuous Improvement, and Collective Responsibility.
• Interact professionally and with integrity and compassion with coworkers and clients and patients in accordance with this organization's core values.
• Work effectively and independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees.
• Commit to providing high-quality care of patients and clients.

All requirements listed in this job description are essential functions, some of which may require more responsibility and knowledge as the employee gains experience and/or is promoted.

*Responsibilities / Duties /Functions /Tasks (Level 3-6)*
Duties are performed under the responsible supervision of a licensed veterinarian as specified in Maryland State Code.

In-House Requirements:
Passing score on ECCT exam and approval by Management.

*Personal Requirements:*

• Good communication skills
• Ability to work well with others as a team
• Flexibility and the ability to adjust to a changing environment and handle stress calmly
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and delegate appropriately
• Attention to detail and the willingness to get assistance when unsure – ability to think before acting
• Active interest in medicine and animal care
• Willing to learn new tasks and learn quickly
• Able to receive criticism and accept responsibility of actions
• Competently speak and write English
• Follow hospital rules and abide by its policies
• Have reliable transportation
• Present oneself with professionalism; maintain a professional appearance while at work, including clean uniforms or clothes.
• Represent the hospital and its staff in a positive, sensitive, and professional manner
• Follow direction/leadership of Team Leads (all departments)
• Help assistants learn more about medicine and surgery
• Work with nursing team in other departments to elevate the medicine and teamwork at Apex
• Self-motivated, hard worker

General Task Requirements - Essential Functions: (Level 3-6)

• Perform duties safely.
• Able to lift 50 pounds (patients and objects) unassisted.
• Have the physical strength and ability to stand for an entire shift when needed,
• Assist in lifting patients weighing more than 50 pounds.
• Conduct radiography and lab work assignments.
• Clean/bathe patients when needed
• Handle small animals (up to 50 pounds), using appropriate restraint.
• Walk leashed dogs
• Inform team lead, doctor on duty, or Managing Partner immediately of all bite or scratch wounds or injuries so the affected personnel can receive timely medical care and reports can be made.
• Clean all wounds effectively and thoroughly.
• Read and follow hospital policies and rules.
• Able to successfully utilize Instinct and other hospital software
• Attend required meetings and training.
• Follow OSHA standards. Be able to find Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) quickly
• Maintain accurate personal time clock.
• Participate in your performance appraisal, and as requested, in those of others.
• Participate in all staff and training meetings
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding clients and patients for whom the practice provides veterinary service.

Purpose
The primary purpose of the veterinary assistant is to increase productivity/efficiency and to give optimum patient care. Training specific to each position is required for all veterinary nursing staff.

Patient and Nursing Care Required for all Nursing Staff – Essential Functions:

• Keep accurate records and observations
• Alert doctors to changes in animal's condition or behavior
• Care for animal's needs
• Medical accuracy
• Communicate with clients
• Greet with a smile and kind disposition
• Keep informed about pet's condition
• Restrain pets in a manner that allows necessary work to be performed, minimizes patient stress, and ensures their safety and that of other people
• Safely and effectively apply and use restraint devices, including muzzles, towels, gloves, and cat bags

*Assistance To Doctors And Coworkers – Essential Functions:*

• Help doctors to complete procedures efficiently
• Support/appreciate coworkers
• Positive attitude
• Facilitate communication between clients and doctors

Patient and Nursing Care required for all Nursing Staff – Essential Functions:

• Keep accurate records and observations
• Alert doctors to changes in animal's condition or behavior
• Care for animal's needs
• Medical accuracy
• Communicate with clients
• Greet with a smile and kind disposition
• Keep informed about pet's condition
• Restrain pets in a manner that allows necessary work to be performed, minimizes patient stress, and ensures their safety and that of other people
• Safely and effectively apply and use restraint devices, including muzzles, towels, gloves, and cat bags

*Assistance To Doctors And Coworkers – Essential Functions:*

• Help doctors to complete procedures efficiently
• Support/appreciate coworkers
• Positive attitude
• Facilitate communication between clients and doctors

*Qualifications*
High School Diploma or equivalent. Veterinary experience preferred but not required. Basic customer service skills required. Basic computer skills necessary.

Physical Effort
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to bend, stand, stoop, walk, talk, and listen; may require extended periods of time on the feet. Use hands to manipulate, handle, feel or reach with hands and arms. Required to lift up to 50 pounds. Employees will be expected to acquire assistance with lifting or carrying animals or materials over 50 pounds.

*Work Requirements*

• Hazards associated with infected animals, control substances and possible exposure to contagious diseases.
• Possible exposure to unpleasant odors and noises
• Possible exposure to aggressive patients, bites, scratches, and animal's waste
• Possible exposure to chemotherapeutic agents/ waste

Evaluation
Performance of this position will be evaluated on the performance of the job description requirements and other factors as deemed appropriate.

Department:
Emergency & Critical Care

Reports to:
Staff Operations Manager