Veterinary Assistant

Description

Role Description 

Cornerstone Animal Center is seeking a passionate and skilled Veterinary Assistant to join our new spay/neuter and wellness clinic in Visalia, California, who is dedicated to improving animal welfare in California’s Central Valley by providing nursing support for high-quality, affordable veterinary care for the pets and families of our community. 

The ideal candidate is a confident, compassionate Veterinary Assistant with demonstrated experience in High Quality High Volume Spay/Neuter (HQHVSN) surgery who thrives in a fast-paced clinical environment. In addition to surgical nursing duties, this veterinary assistant will assist in the delivery of routine wellness services including vaccinations, preventive care, and client education, embodying our mission to make essential veterinary care accessible to all. 

We are looking for a team member who shares our commitment to teamwork, a positive attitude for problem-solving, and a desire to learn and grow.

Core Responsibilities

Veterinary Medical Care  

• Depending on level of experience, Veterinary Assistant roles range from sterile resources to providing patient care, monitoring patients, and assisting in procedures. 
• Ensure the proper cleaning and sterilization of surgical instruments and supplies, following established protocols to maintain a sterile environment. This includes washing instruments, checking for cleanliness, and preparing them for sterilization using autoclaves or other sterilizing methods. 
• Restock surgical supplies as necessary, ensuring that all items are readily available, organized, and comply with safety standards. 
• Monitor patient vitals and recovery progress, ensuring that animals are well-cared-for and safe during recovery stages. 
• Depending on experience, assist with anesthesia prep, monitoring, and recovery to ensure the comfort and safety of patients throughout the procedure. 
• Demonstrate knowledge of safe and gentle patient handling, including the handling of both healthy and ill animals, ensuring their comfort and minimizing stress during exams and procedures. 
• Possess a strong understanding of animal anatomy and physiology, medical math, medical terminology, and disease processes to ensure accurate and effective care. 
• Understand and follow veterinary care protocols for both individual animals and groups, ensuring the health and well-being of all patients, while also adhering to protocols for behavior management and other specialized care. 
• Comply with all relevant laws and regulations, including those governing controlled substances, ensuring that medications are used responsibly and according to legal standards. 
• Maintain familiarity with veterinary terminology and procedures, keeping up to date with best practices for animal health and welfare. 
• Work closely with the veterinary team and other staff members to ensure that each patient receives the best possible care. Foster good working relationships based on mutual respect, collaboration, and teamwork. 

Administrative Duties 

• Maintain and create patient records by accurately recording treatments, examinations, and test results on computerized patient charts and other medical records 
• Participate in regular staff meetings 

Client and Community Service  

• Engage with clients in a compassionate, non-judgmental manner, ensuring they feel supported and valued throughout their experience.  
• Provide clear, empathetic communication regarding medical information and release instructions to empower pet families in making informed decisions about their pets' care. 
• Foster a culture of respect and understanding, practicing and encouraging humane treatment of all animals while promoting a pet-family-centered approach to care. 
• Provide exceptional, empathetic customer service to clients, volunteers, and staff, actively listening to their needs and concerns to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all. 
• Promote community connection by sharing Cornerstone Animal Center’s mission, services, programs, and events, and encouraging participation in ways that build stronger bonds between pet families and our organization. 
• Support opportunities for giving and donations, emphasizing the collective impact we can make when we work together as a community to provide life-changing care. 

Safety 

• Ensure a safe work environment by following all safety guidelines and modeling safe work practices 
• Follow established safety procedures governing safe work environment including wearing protective clothing or equipment when necessary 
• Take immediate action to address any safety concerns that could put a staff member, volunteer, customer, animal, or the organization at risk 
• Maintain a clean, healthy, and sanitary work area 

Volunteers 

• Work cooperatively with all volunteers and recognize the talent and commitment they bring to the Center 

Diversity and Inclusiveness 

• Work effectively with individuals and colleagues from diverse communities and cultures 

Open Communication 

• Facilitate and participate in open, direct, and transparent communication throughout the Society, ensuring all voices are heard and valued. Foster an environment where honest feedback is welcomed, and discussions are solution focused. 
• Cultivate a culture of shared accountability where each team member takes responsibility for their role in maintaining positive, effective communication. Support one another in addressing concerns directly and professionally, with the goal of creating a constructive work environment. 
• Eliminate gossip and encourage resolution at the source, ensuring that any conflicts or misunderstandings are addressed in a respectful manner, with the focus on collaboration and mutual respect. 

Reporting Relationships and Contacts: 

• Reports to the Executive Director 

Requirements

• Experience working as a veterinary assistant required  
• College coursework with an emphasis on animal-related science preferred 
• Commitment to the mission, values, goals, and success of Cornerstone Animal Center. 
• Experience with humane animal handling and restraint techniques of healthy, ill, and feral animals 
• Experience in caring for and handling animals in a safe, effective and humane manner, especially larger and possibly untrained pets 
• Computer literate and able to master veterinary software as applicable to clinic operations 
• Knowledge of basic dog and cat physiology, anatomy, and behavior as it relates to understanding the general health of animals. 
• Ability to understand and communicate pertinent medical information with colleagues and clients 
• Self-motivated and able to initiate and complete tasks 

Salary and Benefits:  

The starting salary for this position depends on the depth and breadth of experience. The expected range for this position is $23-$25 per hour. 

Regular Full Time and Part Time 30+ positions are eligible for a benefits package including: Paid Time Off and holiday pay, medical, dental & vision insurance, tax-deferred retirement plan.  

Cornerstone Animal Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This job description reflects the assignment of essential functions, and does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Cornerstone Animal Center is an at-will employer and may conduct pre-employment background checks and drug screening depending on the role.