Pet Care Assistant

The Pet Care Assistant works with the veterinary medical team to provide and prepare for the best medical care of pets, and to ensure this is provided in a happy, welcoming, friendly and efficient manner, influencing clients to return and refer their friends and families. Essential responsibilities include preparing the treatment room for examination of pets and all necessary medical items and supplies for the veterinarian and/or veterinary technician; setting up fecals, smears, and skin scrapings as allowed by state rules and regulations; maintaining the flow of the Cycle of Service; providing client education regarding preventive care, Optimum Wellness Plans, and basic status of hospitalized pets; holding or restraining pets during examination, treatment, or inoculation; preparing routine in-house laboratory tests as allowed by state rules and regulations; monitoring the comfort of hospitalized patients by walking, exercising, feeding, and cleaning cages and pets; bathing and dipping pets when necessary; cleaning the surgical suite and instruments; ensuring cleanliness of the hospital including housekeeping tasks; and other job duties as assigned. The role requires multitasking, strong communication, organizational, problem-solving, client service, intellectual, mathematical, and computer skills. Attitudes expected include initiative, integrity, cooperativeness, flexibility, independence, and tolerance for stress. Special working conditions include working at a computer for long periods, confidence around pets, potential for more than 40 hours per week including weekends and evenings, ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, and lift up to 50 pounds, and exposure to pets that may bite or scratch and occasionally to anesthesia, radiation, biological hazards, and medication/controlled substances. Experience and education requirements include a high school diploma preferred, minimum age of 18 for duties involving radiography, and one year of related experience with customer service preferred.