Emergency Veterinary Assistant
The purpose of the Emergency Veterinary Assistant is to provide high quality medical support and nursing care to companion animal patients. In addition, this position is responsible for the general oversight and workflow efficiency of the hospital and client / patient services, especially during the overnight hours in absence of hospital management personnel. A veterinary assistant is non-state licensed supportive role to the veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
Responsibilities and Duties
Technical Duties, 90% :
- Assist veterinarians in the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery
- Proficient IV catheter placement
- Proficient and accurate drug calculations and administration
- Quality nursing and husbandry care of patients
- Strong working knowledge of veterinary procedures and pharmacology
- Perform in-hospital lab testing and prepare specimens for outside labs
- Perform and / or participate in all other diagnostics such as radiology, ultrasound, ECG, BP and glucose monitoring
- Assist veterinarians in outpatient exams by taking histories, vital signs and weights as well as providing client education
- Provide nursing care for in-hospital patients including all DVM requested treatments, diagnostics and medications
- Accurately and completely record all treatments
- Conduct pre-admission exams and discharge hospitalized patients
- Perform client callbacks as necessary
- Maintain legally defensible medical records in cooperation with veterinarians
- Actively engages in nursing rounds
- Rounds delivered / received at shift changes, anytime a staff member comes / leaves
- Rounds will be complete, detailed and relative to patient & client care
Examinations & Triage
Prepare and maintain exam rooms (cleanliness and stocking of supplies)Assist veterinarians in exam rooms by taking patients' history, vital signs and weight; preparing medications; and assisting with medical recordsCollect samples and perform a variety of in-house diagnostic testsFill prescriptions per veterinarians' instructionsEducate clients about medication instructions and administrationPerform admission exams for patients being hospitalized, including weight, vital signsPerform pre-anesthetic exams on surgery patients if the veterinarian has not already assessed patientsDischarge patients as requested; review discharge instructionsLaboratory
Responsible for in-hospital lab testing such as intestinal parasite screens, pre-anesthetic testing, senior screens, complete blood count, urinalysis, heartworm, tick-borne diseases, Feline Leukemia, FIV, cytology, etc.Collect and prepare samples for both in-house and outside laboratoriesReport diagnostic testing results to veterinariansMaintain quality controls and record keeping on in-house lab equipmentComplete proper sample preparation and paperwork for outside diagnostic laboratory testsTreatment
Perform treatments noted on treatment board and in medical records (hospitalized patients, surgeries)Assist veterinarians with daily treatmentsMonitor intensive care patientsProvide nursing and husbandry careFacilitate patient radiographsRecord x-rays in log and medical records; attach digital images to the patient recordUse and maintain IV pumpsSurgery
Set up the surgical areaKeep surgical materials stockedPrepare gown and surgical packsCheck oxygen lines and waste gas scavenger system; turn off scavenger system after surgical procedures are completedPrepare instruments; knowledge of surgical instruments required for specific surgeriesPrepare patient for surgery including pre-op medications, induction / intubation and surgery prepMonitor anesthesia utilizing equipment such as pulse oximeter and electrocardiogramMaintain anesthesia machineAssist veterinarian performing surgeryMonitor patients through anesthesia recoveryEnsure the cleaning of the surgery suite and surgical instruments after each procedure following hospital sterilization protocolsKeep accurate anesthesia / surgical medical recordsEnsure hospital patients go home well-groomed and in an appropriate medical state; remove cathetersMedical Records
Update medical records with progress notesCommunicate with doctors and technicians through notations in medical recordsRecord information for hospitalized patients including :Daily status each time a technician touches a patient, with initials, time, procedures and observationsHospitalized procedures such as surgeries, radiographs and dentistryPre-surgical exam findings, anesthesia riskTime anesthesia begins, ends and how many minutesSuture material, suture pattern; incision location and size; veterinarian's surgical notesLab test resultsInjections, medications, fluid therapy, pain managementNote homecare instructions given to and reviewed with clientCreate estimates / treatment plansCollect signatures on consent forms and estimates / treatment plansHousekeeping Duties, 5%
Maintain cleanliness of surgery suite, treatment area and exam rooms for all surfaces, including lights, tables, cabinets, walls and floorsMaintain equipment cleanliness and longevity by vacuuming pet hair from keyboards, wheels and equipmentVacuum computer keyboards in treatment area, lab / pharmacy and exam roomsClean glass windows and doors in surgery suite, treatment area and exam roomsSweep and mop floors in surgery suite, exam rooms and treatment areaKeep food and drinks out of treatment area and surgery suiteDiscard syringes in proper containersEmpty trashClean water and food bowls for hospitalized petsClean cages and bedding for hospitalized petsOrganize radiology gowns, gloves and badges, making sure they are neatly hung or storedScrub and polish sinksWipe down walls and baseboards in the surgery suite, treatment area and exam roomsClean cagesDo laundryAdministrative Duties, 3%
Inventory :
Log controlled drugsAssist with inventory physical countKnow how to use the inventory module in our veterinary practice-management softwareRestock shelves and drawers in exam rooms and treatment areaSafety :
Follow OSHA requirementsFollow practice's health and safety protocolsUtilize Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)Administrative :
Be proficient in using our veterinary practice-management softwareAssist receptionists as necessaryAttend staff and department meetings as available and neededClient Services, 2%
Answer incoming phone calls; respond with appropriate information; encourage patient exam / evaluationGreet incoming clients / patients; facilitate medical record paperwork / computer entryCreate estimates for servicesAdmit / discharge patientsCollect fees / depositsFax outgoing paperwork as necessary to rDVMsReceive incoming faxes and distribute as necessaryTeamwork :
Participates in a positive manner in all group sizes.Refrains from participating in gossip.