Veterinary Assistant

Job Description: Veterinary Assistant

Classification: Full Time – Non-Exempt

Starting Salary: $16 - $17/hour

Benefits: Full Health Benefits

Reports to: Lead LVT

Date: January 2025

Summary/Objective: The Veterinary Assistant (VA) provides support to the Veterinarian and the Licensed Veterinary Technician and is involved in all aspects of the surgical day in Richmond Animal League’s (RAL) Loving Spay+Neuter Clinic (LSNC). This position oversees outstanding patient care, clinic equipment maintenance, surgical supply inventory, and veterinary inspection readiness. The ideal candidate will have compassion for cats and dogs, be a quick learner, and be reliable. Candidates should be detail-oriented, organized, focused, and able to complete tasks.

Essential Functions:

• Uphold Exceptional Animal Care Standards

• Maintain Fear Free certification and knowledge.

• Use Fear Free techniques with all patients and train others in these techniques.

• Ensure the comfort of all patients.

• Provide clean bedding and calming elements to the pet enclosures each morning.

• Bring patients into the clinic during drop-off and set them up in their enclosure.

• Monitor the appropriate recovery of patients throughout the day.

• Return patients to their caregiver at discharge.

• Explain post-operative care and medications.

• Provide careful patient monitoring throughout the day.

Assist with Surgery:

• Set up the surgery suite each morning.

• Prepare vaccinations and medications for patients.

• Restrain patients for induction.

• Aseptically prepare patients for surgery.

• Move patients from surgery to recovery to their enclosure.

• Collect and run laboratory samples as needed.

• Check patients post-operatively to ensure appropriate recovery.

• Close the surgery suite each afternoon.

• Ensure Smooth Operation of Surgery.

• Maintain an up-to-date binder with operating procedures for all clinic equipment.

• Run regular maintenance on clinic equipment and keep a maintenance log.

• Systematically check and order clinic supplies to ensure they are always adequate.

• Unpack, put away, and inventory all clinic supplies according to RAL procedure.

• Go through an inspection checklist each month to guarantee compliance.

• Crosstrain with clinic administrative staff.

Assist with Shelter Veterinary Care (when needed and available):

• Prepare vaccines and preventatives for shelter vetting.

• Restrain shelter pets for exams.

• Collect and run laboratory samples as needed.

• Carry out medical management plans as directed.

Emotional and Mental Requirements

• Must be able to respond quickly to medical situations once trained.

• Must be able to cope with death due to surgical complications or euthanasia.

• Ability to rapidly and accurately process information.

• Ability to recognize a need for assistance and to ask for help when needed.

• Ability to control instinct (for example, while restraining it is most often required to tighten a grip and NOT release the animal when they struggle.)

• Ability to cope with frustrating situations and remain calm.

Competencies:

• Quick learner

• Organized

• Attention to detail

• Excellent communicator

• Stellar attendance and work ethic

Work Environment: The Clinic is a high-noise area, and the Veterinary Assistant will be exposed to cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, animal urine, and feces. There is also potential exposure to animal bites and scratches.

Physical Demands: The Veterinary Assistant must be able to sit or stand for hours at a time; lift at least 40 pounds without help and over 40 pounds with help; work at a computer and type; walk; get up and down on the floor; use hands to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a Full-Time, Non-Exempt position. The hours of work are approximately Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a one-hour (unpaid) lunch. Regular, predictable, and reliable attendance is an essential function of this position.

Travel: There are no travel requirements for this position.

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED

Preferred Qualifications:

• Animal Care
  

Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Please send all resumes to Anne Auditore at anne@ral.org. Along with your resume, be sure to include a cover letter or a statement of interest for the position. We’re excited to hear from you!