GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

The VETERINARY ASSISTANT provides general medical and emergency care assistance to veterinarians and veterinarian technicians. This class assists with medical care & treatment by providing basic medical care and treatment to the patients, and insuring a clean and organized hospital care environment.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is a single class and not currently part of a series of classes.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties listed below are not inclusive but characteristic of the type and level of work associated with this class. Individual positions may perform all or some combination of the duties listed below as well as other related duties.

1. Hospital Assistance. Typical tasks: receives animal patients, processes intake paperwork, records patient information, inputs hospital charges in billing system, verifies condition of stall and beds stall. Provides patient care and feeding in accordance to verbal and written instructions, assists with monitoring patient condition. Prepares patient for discharge and cleans and disinfects cabinets, carts, counters, sinks, and patient stalls and kennels as necessary. Assists in diagnostic imaging procedures.
2. Medical Procedure Assistance. Typical tasks: assists in drawing blood, prepares for standing diagnostic procedures, assists with tabling and restraining animals; assists with monitoring animal recovery. Provides care to patients by and monitoring treatments as directed, monitoring liquid intake levels, exercising animal patients as directed, and feeding as directed. Sets up and prepares for medical procedures including preparing exam rooms.
3. Surgical Assistance. Typical tasks: assists with pre-surgery set-up of operating rooms, equipment and supplies and operating room turnaround as directed or in accordance with surgical schedules.
4. Student Assistance. Typical tasks: assists in animal restraint and handling. Demonstrates and assists in instructing students in the proper use of equipment and supplies under direct supervision.
5. Maintenance and Inventory. Typical tasks: cleans, assesses workability, performs minor routine maintenance of equipment, and ensures that medical supplies are stocked. Cleans and reorganizes operating rooms, labs and treatment areas after use. Maintains supplies inventories, records supplies used, and restocks medical supplies at various workstations.
6. Miscellaneous. Typical tasks: assists in other areas of the hospital as workload demands. Assists with various research and teaching projects as requested. Interacts with clients in person in a professional manner.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

Employees in this class have regular daily contact with faculty, veterinary faculty/ clinicians, and technicians to receive instructions and give assistance during medical procedures and give assistance to veterinary students with restraint of animals and administration of tests.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Employees in this class receive direct daily supervision from clinical faculty/clinicians or a technical supervisor who reviews the work for timely completion and conformance to established veterinary hospital procedures and policies. Work is also reviewed through observation and informal discussion with faculty/clinicians that work with employees in this class. Work assignments are received verbally and in writing from faculty clinicians and from supervisor.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Positions in this class are primarily found in a veterinary teaching hospital and/or veterinary clinic setting. They assist with routine veterinary medical procedures and require the willingness to work in the environment associated with the position's location and purpose, which includes working with large and/or small animals. Exposure to noxious odors, infectious diseases, chemicals, gas anesthetics, radiation, loud noises, and machinery is likely. Positions in this class may be required to work days, evening, or night shifts and require willingness to maintain a proper attitude and respect toward the purpose of animals used in teaching and research. Employees in this class follow institutional policies and procedures, State and Federal regulations regarding use of pharmaceuticals; and procedural manuals on sterile techniques, instrument care, and maintenance as guidelines to perform duties.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Demonstrated experience in large and/or small animal handling and restraint AND one year of knowledge and experience or training in in a large and/or small animal facility.

Demonstrated knowledge of:

• Drugs and medications typically used in veterinary care
• Patient preparation, medical procedure assistance
• Medical terminology
• Animal anatomy
• Veterinary care procedures
• Basic mathematics (add, subtract, multiply, divide)
• Animal restraint technique and devices

Finalists for this position will be required to complete a background history questionnaire. Offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.