Animal hospital Jobs in Fort Collins, CO

Veterinary Assistant

The Veterinary Assistant role assists in multiple procedures, providing care for animals, including physical examinations, dental procedures, surgeries, immunizations, euthanasia, as well as client education and inventory maintenance. This position requires a working knowledge of pharmaceutical drugs, common diseases, their symptoms, means of transmission, treatment and prevention, and other basic preventive animal health care recommendations. This position also requires learning a wide range of policies and procedures, as well as independent judgment and training, to take appropriate actions in standard situations.

Primary Job Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians with veterinary medicine and surgery in any appropriate capacity.
• Obtain and record patient histories, vital signs, and weights.
• Perform in-hospital lab testing and prepare specimens for reference labs
• Dispense and administer medications, vaccines, serums, and treatments as prescribed by veterinarians.
• Administer fluids and blood products as prescribed by the veterinarian; use and maintain the IV pump.
• Administer and monitor anesthesia under the direction of a veterinarian.
• Provide specialized nursing care for injured or ill animals.
• Prepare patients, instruments, and equipment for surgery; clean, maintain, and sterilize instruments, equipment, and materials.
• Ensure that monitoring and support equipment, such as anesthetic machines, pulse oximeters, and blood pressure monitors, is in good working order.
• Communicate with and educate owners in a compassionate, tactful, professional manner.
• Take radiographs practices radiograph safety in accordance with ALARA principles, demonstrates safe positioning techniques, understands correct radiograph technique, and has the ability to process radiographs
• Maintain knowledge of preventive healthcare recommendations in order to answer client questions, provide education on vaccines, flea and heartworm products, and assist in marketing veterinary services from which their pet would benefit, such as a dental cleaning, spay and neuter procedures.
• Educate clients on products and medications sold, including dietary products, and answer questions regarding product purchase/use.
• Maintain legally defensible medical records in cooperation with veterinarians.
• Maintain inventory of pharmaceuticals, equipment, and supplies
• Work well with all team members and ensure that your actions support the hospital, the doctors, and the practice philosophy.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Technical - Lab

• Collect specimens and perform routine laboratory procedures and tests in hematology, biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, urinalysis, and serology to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.
• Assist in diagnostics, medical, and surgical procedures using a range of diagnostic equipment
• Report diagnostic testing results to veterinarians.
• Maintain quality controls and record-keeping on in-house lab equipment.
• Complete proper sample preparation and paperwork for reference lab tests.
• Fill prescriptions per veterinarians' instructions; double-check for accuracy; have another employee sign (two signatures on each prescription that leaves our hospital).

Technical - Surgery

• Admit patients scheduled for anesthetic procedures.
• Keep surgical materials stocked; prepare gowns and surgical packs, or oversee this process.
• Check oxygen lines and waste gas scavenger system; turn off scavenger system after surgical procedures are completed.
• Prepare the surgery suite for surgery in collaboration with the surgery team.
• Prepare instruments; know the type of surgical instruments required for specific surgeries.
• Perform induction/intubation and all pre-anesthetic procedures, including patient prep, shave, and express bladder.
• Monitor patients post-operatively.
• Clean the surgery suite and instruments in accordance with hospital sterilization protocols.
• Keep accurate anesthesia/surgical medical records;
• Accurately calculate and record all medications and injections administered.
• Ensure all surgery patients go home well-groomed and in an appropriate medical state.

Technical - Dentistry

• Clean, scale, and polish teeth using dental equipment and hand instruments.
• Perform fluoride treatments.
• Record dental problems in the record and report to the veterinarian.
• Assist veterinarians with performing oral extractions or other dental procedures.
• Take before-and-after photos to send to the client.
• Take dental radiographs for each tooth on each patient.

Technical - Medical Records

• Update medical records as needed
• Communicate with doctors and technicians through notations in medical records
• Record necessary (highlighted) information for hospitalized patients

Housekeeping Duties

• Maintain cleanliness of exam rooms, surgery suite, kennels, and treatment area; all surfaces
• Keep food and drinks out of the treatment area and surgery suite; any place not permitted by OSHA
• Discard syringes, vials, and containers in appropriate containers

Inventory

• Log controlled drugs
• Assist with the inventory physical count
• Unpack deliveries, reconcile against packing slip, restock supplies

Organization-Wide Duties

• Treats animals humanely, with compassion and concern, both on and off the job, and conveys these values to others, in word and action.
• Represents Animal Friends Alliance in a professional and courteous manner at all times.
• Provides quality service to customers, volunteers, and staff, recognizing their individual contributions to Animal Friends Alliance. Monitors, supports, motivates, and champions volunteers and their work.
• Solicits monetary and in-kind donations by raising awareness of the organization's work, goals, and financial needs.
• Follows all safety rules to ensure a safe work environment at all times. Takes immediate action to address any safety concerns or noncompliance issues that could put an animal, employee, volunteer, visitor, or the organization at risk.
• Learns basic duties of other departments and supports other departments and staff.
• Monitors, supports, motivates, and accredits volunteers and their work.
• Understands and operates by Animal Friends Alliance's core values.
• Regular and timely presence onsite.

Work Environment

• Work performed in an animal clinic setting
• Potential for exposure to zoonotic diseases and cleaning chemicals
• Potential for exposure to dangerous and fractious animals.
• Potential exposure to high noise levels when in the kennel area.
• Potential for animal bites and scratches while handling animals.

Unusual Demands

• Work is subject to frequent interruptions.
• The employee is subject to work weekends, holidays, and beyond the normal scheduled hours of work.

Requirements

Job Requirements

Education/Experience

Education

• Required: High school diploma or equivalent
• Preferred: Associate's or Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
• Preferred: CVT or equivalent

Experience

• Required: One year of work in an animal-related setting
• Preferred: Two years of veterinary medical care and animal handling in a fast-paced environment

Miscellaneous

• Valid Driver's License: Required
• Sincere interest in Animal Friends Alliance's mission & vision

Knowledge

• Knowledge of Google Suite, including Gmail and Google Drive.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel
• Knowledge of animal breed, behavior, handling, and care
• Basic technical procedures used in giving vaccinations and medicating animals

Skills

• Able to prioritize duties and perform multiple tasks
• Able to work in a high-