Veterinary Assistant (Inpatient Medicine)

Overview

Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University provides 24-hour care for pets 365 days of the year. Since 1985, we have offered high quality medical care, consultation, referral, and emergency veterinary services for the care of dogs, cats and exotic pets. In addition, the hospital creates a positive learning experience for Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University students and student technicians regarding small animal medicine.

What You'll Do

The Veterinary Assistant collaborates with clinicians, residents, interns, technicians, and students to provide exceptional patient care and client service in the small animal hospital. The Veterinary Assistant also serves as a clinical liaison to provide clients with status updates and to address any questions they may have. This role will be utilized to ensure that patients are prepared for discharge, owners have everything they need to take their pets home and that discharge instructions and medication instructions are clearly understood. It is the responsibility of the veterinary assistant to arrange continuity in care for the patient by preparing the owner/caregiver for the next step(s) in the caring process.

• Patient Care - Provide high quality patient care including the following:
  • Assist clinicians, students and technicians with restraint, care, and treatment of patients. Anticipate the clinician?s needs regarding treatments, restraint, supplies and instruments.
  • Provide professional and courteous service to ensure that the highest levels of client satisfaction and patient treatment are always maintained.
  • Coordinate patient flow within and between services to expedite each patient?s visit.
  • Draw blood samples as ordered. Process in-house lab work as directed by a licensed veterinarian.
  • Prepare patients for discharge by removing IV catheters, incision coverings, ID bands and any medical equipment (telemetry, urinary catheters etc.)
  • Ensure all final treatments are completed prior to discharge.
  • Ensure the patient is well groomed and clean for discharge
  • Ensure the patient has an e-collar if needed and if on that it is clean and without damage to it
  • Locate and send home all personal belongings
  • Coordinate with services to ensure discharge paperwork is completed
  • Coordinate with services to make sure medications both internal and external are ready or prescriptions sent to pharmacy at time of discharge
  • Assist with medical record documentation
  • Assist with providing basic animal husbandry and hygiene.
• Client Support
  • Serve as a contact for designated service to address clients? clinical questions and concerns. Solicit information from clinician/technician as necessary.
  • Explain at home instructions and any supporting documents to clients and answer any client questions
  • Explain medication directions and answer any client questions
  • Demonstrate owner skills needed after discharge.
  • Assist owner with loading patients out of the hospital and in car as needed
  • Greet and escort clients to and from inpatient department
• Maintenance - Maintain a safe and clean work environment, including but not limited to:
  • Maintain cleanliness of the inpatient department.
  • Maintain an adequate inventory of supplies including equipment and medications.
• Miscellaneous -
  • Perform other duties as directed by department supervisors or shift lead.
  • Participate in Departmental and Hospital-wide initiatives as required.

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

• High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
• At least one year of related experience.
• Familiarity with medical terminology, veterinary pharmacology, and animal behavior.
• Ability to restrain small animals in a safe, compassionate manner.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with co-workers, clinicians, students, staff, and clients.
• Enthusiastic, genuine, empathetic, and self-motivated professional with a positive, upbeat attitude.
• Pride in and commitment to maintaining hospital floor and front lobby areas.
• Basic computer skills including the ability to learn the electronic medical record system.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodation

Preferred Qualifications:

• One or more years? experience as a Veterinary Assistant in a veterinary hospital
• Successful completion of a NAVTA-approved Veterinary Assistant Program
• Exotic animal handling skills. Exotic animals include birds, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, rodents, special small mammals (such as chinchillas or hedgehogs), reptiles, and amphibians.
• Veterinary Assistant Certification Credentialed as a Certified Veterinary Assistant