Find & Apply For Veterinary Assistant Jobs in Merrillville, Indiana

Entry level position. Primarily responsible for maintaining proper disease control protocols, including cleaning of facility, laundry, and general maintenance of facility. Assist with daily care of boarding and grooming patients. Assist with appointments and general care of in hospital patients as needed.

General Duties:

o Performs opening and closing procedures pursuant to checklists. o Performs daily cleaning of kennels, cages, and public areas, following proper disease control protocol to ensure a sterile environment. o Walk all day admission and grooming animals based on their specific needs (i.e. off leash, on leash, aggression levels) and monitor their activity outside. Report accurately on pet's general behavior, bathroom activity, and any health concerns. Report all health concerns to the Veterinary Assistant or LVT or Veterinarian. o Displays appropriate restraint techniques for all size and age canine and feline patients. o Promptly cleans up urine, feces, vomit, hair, and other patient debris as indicated. o Stock all rooms, treatment, pharmacy, and kennel daily. o Clean, fold, and stock kennel laundry throughout the clinic. o Keeps trash receptacles empty and clean. o Assist the Veterinarian as needed.

Client-Interaction Duties:

o Cordially greets arriving clients and patients and addresses them by name whenever possible. Addresses clients as Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Dr. o Observes clients and offers assistance whenever possible, such as helping with children, assisting clients to vehicle, carrying dog food or pet carriers.

Veterinarian/Technician/ Support Duties:

o Seeks the assistance of veterinarians or technicians immediately when assessing critical patients. o Assists with managing patient transport at admittance and discharge, as needed. o Notifies doctors and technicians of urgent client questions and messages regarding medical issues.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• High school diploma preferred
• Minimum 1-year experience with animals preferred

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to:

• Normal fluctuations in the weather (hot to cold, and dry to wet, depending on the time of the year)
• Fumes
• Toxic or caustic chemicals
• Radiation
• Anesthetic gases
• Pharmacologic agents and drugs, including hormones, euthanasia drugs, and chemotherapeutic agents
• Unpredictable animals
• Zoonotic diseases (potential exposure to diseases such as toxoplasmosis, Leptospirosis, and rabies)
• Usual small animal veterinary hospital and boarding facility and medical office environmental conditions The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; however, barking dogs in housing and exercise areas can be loud and this requires ear protection.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be:

• Spending about 15% of the time sitting.
• Spending about 85% of the time standing, managing kennel and treatment area cleanliness and organization, and greeting, escorting, and assisting clients. About 25% of this time will involve assisting clients and Veterinarians with their animals/patients, including interacting, leading, weighing, restraining, and carrying these animals.
• May be required to restrain or assist in restraining animals up to 150 lbs.
• Required to have good vision (distance, color, and the ability to adjust focus) for: o Reading computer screen, mail, correspondence, and reports. o Taking weights.
• Required to have good hearing, to: o Communicate with patient owners over the telephone, VOIP, and in person o Communicate over the telephone or VOIP with consultants, labs, and vendors and hear reports from team members
• Bending or squatting.
• Moving quickly.

Pay:

$10.00 - $14.00 per hour Expected hours: 24.0 - 28.0 per week

Benefits:

Employee discount Opportunities for advancement Uniform allowance

Work Location:

In person