Veterinary Assistant Advanced Pet Care of Sedalia

Advanced Pet Care of Sedaliais a a cutting edge, full-service, small animal practice that provides comprehensive medical, surgical, and dental care. We provide a broad spectrum of diagnostic procedures through in-house testing and the use of external laboratories.

The facility includes 4 exam rooms, open treatment area, individual DVM workstations and amenities such as:

• Well stocked pharmacy
• BRAND NEW Ultrasound – training provided!
• 2 Anesthesia machines
• Surgical Laser
• Digital Radiography
• Updated dental unit and digital dental radiographs
• Avimark software
• Closely supervised hospitalization area
• Indoor kennels and outdoor walking areas

The Exam Room Assistant assists the veterinarians with patient care and treatment, monitors hospitalized pets, maintains inventory, prepares prescriptions, performs routine in-house laboratory work, educates clients regarding veterinary care and procedures, and assists with surgical procedures at Advanced Pet Care of Sedalia (APCS).  The Exam Room Assistant operates under the supervision of the Technician Team Leader and the practice manager.

• Patience & Compassion: Remaining professional while still making teammates, clients, and patients feel as comfortable as possible regardless of the situation or challenges presented. Responding quickly and calmly to crisis while maintaining a high standard of patient care.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Carefully coordinating actions with veterinarians and practice team members. Providing feedback appropriately and in a timely manner. Quickly incorporating feedback to ensure positive results. Sharing ideas and being open to other’s ideas.
• Communicating: Conveying instructions to clients and teammates to ensure successful patient care.
• Active Listening: Following the instructions of veterinarians and sometimes patient owners. Picking up the needs of veterinarians and teammates based on prior experiences and feedback.
• Organization Skills: Clear tracking of lab specimens, medications, patient instructions, workflow, and other job-related items while managing multiple patients and clients.
• Client Satisfaction: Ensuring all activities and interactions result in the highest level of client satisfaction.

• Communicate with clients regarding the medical status of their pet. Provide accurate information to clients concerning fees, hospital policies and procedures, etc.
• Instruct clients as to what they should do prior to bringing their pets in for procedures, how to care for their pets after discharge from the hospital, how to administer medications, etc.
• Educate clients regarding preventive medicine and vaccination requirements. Recommend laboratory procedures, such as pre-anesthetic profiles, geriatric screening, fecals, urinalysis, heartworm checks, FeLV testing, etc.  Give clients handouts and educational materials to take home to further their understanding of veterinary issues.
• Demonstrate warmth, courtesy and professionalism in all interactions with clients. Exercise compassion and care in all interactions with patients.
• Restrain animals in a safe, efficient and compassionate manner during examinations and procedures. Know how to properly handle difficult or contentious animals.
• Follow established procedures in order to assist veterinarians with examinations and facilitate the flow of clients and patients through the out-patient clinic. Consult with veterinarians on a daily basis to plan each day’s activities.  Keep doctors apprised of potential problems, discussions with clients, etc.
• Review medical records and notes made by the admitting receptionist in order to discern the nature of the visit and any tests or procedures that may be needed.
• Greet clients and escort them and their pets into an exam room. Obtain basic information (weight, temperature, etc.) on the pet.
• Discuss with the client the reason for the visit (chief complaint), any symptoms or problems being experienced, and any new procedures that may need to be done (i.e. vaccinations, fecal, or heartworm tests, etc.). Utilize a pre-exam checklist, lifestype surgery, and any other applicable client education pieces to ensure that all medical needs are covered.
• Obtain any laboratory samples that may be needed from the pet or make sure that laboratory work is performed by another team member while the patient is still in the exam room. Utilize a fecal loop when necessary.  Anticipate and prepare any medications or vaccines the doctor will need to treat the patient.
• Notify the veterinarian when patients in the exam room are ready to be seen. Advise the veterinarian of the information already known such as the nature of the visit, preventative procedures due, tests that are to be run, etc.  Assist the veterinarian within the exam room by restraining the animal, preparing forms, obtaining instruments, etc.  Remain in the exam room until excused by the doctor.
• Ensure all procedures rendered during the visit are documented for proper billing. Ensure that all vaccinations, procedures, notes, etc have been documented in the medical record.
• Prepare specimens for outside laboratory. Ensure all documentation for specimen is completed and ready to be shipped via UPS or FedEX.
• Monitor laboratory supplies and order additional laboratory supplies as needed, by writing down on appropriate order list for inventory specialist.
• Take radiographs following proper safety procedures.
• Perform routine suture removals as needed, nail trims, and weight checks. Apply bandages and splints under the direction of the attending veterinarian.
• Give injections, as directed by veterinarian – intravenous, intramuscular, and subcutaneous.
• Promote the practice’s products, programs, and services. Utilize passive marketing.  Make suggestions to clients about products appropriate for their pet’s condition.
• Accurately dispense prescription medications as directed by veterinarian. Prepare prescription labels and appropriately package medications.  Ensure that medications are added to the patient’s record and appropriately charged to the client.
• Follow DEA and OSHA guidelines. Document controlled drugs in AVImark any time a controlled drug is used.  Follow appropriate safety and handling of hazardous materials.  Follow established hospital safety guidelines regarding radiographs, controlled drugs, animal handling, etc.
• Clean and straighten exam rooms, treatment and lab areas. Restock exam rooms with supplies as needed.  Assist other team members to keep the public areas of the practice clean and well maintained.  Clean and maintain all medical equipment as required.
• Demonstrate initiative and teamwork in everyday duties, assisting other team members within the practice.
• Organize work area and exercise time management skills to maximize personal efficiency within the practice. Prioritize tasks and handle multiple tasks in a calm, organized manner.
• 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.

• Ability to work on weekends as required
• Previous veterinary experience preferred
• Receive, handle and treat patients with skill, compassion and care.
• Accurately perform laboratory tests.
• Ability to observe animal appearance and activity for general physical condition, obvious signs of illness, disease and discontent.
• Regular attendance and timeliness are an essential function in order to fulfill the requirements of this position.
• Strong communication and client service skills. Considerable tact and diplomacy is required.  Ability to work with clients and patients in a professional, friendly, hospitable manner.
• Work well with all team members and ensure that your actions support the hospital, the doctors, and the medicine that we practice.
• Perform general physical activities that require bending, standing, stooping, moving from room to room, sit, talk, and listen; may be required to walk or stand for long periods of time; will use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel; will reach with hands and arms.
• Frequently lift, carry dogs weighing 50 lbs. Walk and handing dogs weighing up to 150 lbs.
• Practice OSHA safety techniques including proper PPE
• Basic math and the ability to calculate medication dosages
• Basic computer skills, familiarity with MS office applications, etc.

• Paid time off
• Health insurance; dental insurance; vision insurance
• Employee discount
• Opportunities for growth and development
• Retirement benefits or accounts
• Bonus incentive
• Flexible work schedules
• Career and professional development
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Referral Program

Benefits offered may vary depending on full or part time employment status according to company policy.