Job Description

The RAPS Animal Hospital, operated by the Regional Animal Protection Society, is a not-for-profit, state-of-the-art veterinary facility. We are motivated by our love of animals and the desire to save and improve as many lives as possible - not by profits. Join us and realize what making a true difference to our community means!

RAPS is recognized as the "Best Veterinarian Hospital", "Best Community Organization", Best "Local Heroes" and "Best Charity Business Leadership" awards that demonstrate we are a fantastic place to work. We have 6,000 sq ft of space and provide full services (most surgeries) and are a well-equipped hospital. RAPS Animal Hospital motto is "helping animals and their people." We are an innovative group looking for creative ways to help everyone, including providing interest free payment plans and subsidized care. Please see our TV reality show called "Pets & Pickers" to learn more about us. We have B.C.'s only hyperbaric oxygen chamber for pets. We provide emergency transport and we do home euthanasia. We have Canada's largest cat sanctuary providing our vets with hands on shelter medicine experience.

The RAPS Animal Hospital team, made up of deeply devoted, compassionate veterinarians, vet techs and vet office staff and supported by a powerful cadre of trained and equipped support volunteers, is proud of the individualized attention we provide to the animals and our parallel commitment to a respectful, balanced, gratifying and rewarding work environment.

Our facility is equipped with brand-new, industry-leading equipment. This is an opportunity for you to practice your knowledge and grow your expertise in a supportive, progressive hospital.

Veterinary Assistant Duties and Responsibilities

A Veterinary Assistant is a staff whose role is to assist the Veterinarians and Vet Techs in administering care to animals and also assist owners of pets brought to the clinic in answering their various questions and concerns. The Lead Veterinarian is the ultimate authority of the Hospital. Veterinary Assistants report to the Hospital Manager and the most senior Veterinarian (DVM) on staff while on shift.

Veterinary Assistant responsibilities include but are not limited, to:

Provide exceptional customer/client care and representing RAPS in the most highly professional manner at all times, in public and staff only areas of the hospital, on the phone and through electronic communication mediums. Assist with all front line public facing duties including reception Provide all required reception duties including: - Answering phones*
- Booking appointments*
- Providing follow up to customers and clients*
- Issuing invoices and taking payments*
- Assisting customer and clients to waiting room or exam rooms*
- Providing front line sales*
- Taking donations from the public*
- Assisting with mail and package deliveries*
- All other front line reception duties as required*
Provide exceptional and professional staff interactions with staff cohorts at all times Treat all volunteers and RAPS members with the highest respect. Greet patients and clients and their owners as they arrive, inquire the reasons for visit, and show them to an examining room Taking the animals' vital signs including measuring the animals' weight, blood pressure, breathing rate, etc. Prepare animals for testing by collecting their blood, urine, and tissue samples needed to carry out test for diagnosis. The veterinary assistant may also perform the testing under the veterinarian's supervision. Testing includes blood, fecal, urine, and other subjects Provide patient restraint during procedures and examinations Provide assistance during radiology procedures which may include developing X-rays Feed, bathe and care for patients in our facility Clean the animal environment to ensure that it's clean and danger free for the animals. This includes applying disinfectants to kill germs and bathing the animals to keep them clean Ensure the hospital is clean at all times, including all surfaces, floors, walls and equipment and public common areas. Clean and maintain the surgical room in preparation for procedures including sterilizing the surgical equipment to prevent contamination and disease transmission Prepare instruments and medications as directed by veterinary personnel Assist in administering medication to patients as prescribed by the veterinarian unless otherwise administered by a Vet Tech. Facilitate dispensing of medication Assist in post operation duties including observing and monitoring the patients to ensure that they are recuperating well and to report negative changes observed to the veterinarian Calm and soothe anxious patients Adhere to hospital's safety and wellness regulations Make available drugs prescribed by the veterinarian to the patients and instruct animal owners on how to administer them to their animals at home Inform and educate clients on treatment, surgical procedures, and medication for their pets. Educate clients about our insurance, wellness and medicinal plans Provide answers and or resources to clients' worries about their animals and general pet care. Direct clients to the veterinarian for further consultation Maintain clear, accurate medical records of all animals attended to at the clinic and answer all inquiries made by clients at the front desk Assist at reception whenever required to do so Assist with RAPS Society duties inside and outside the hospital as required Assist with the hospital retail centre including reception desk when required Assist with all duties assigned by the RAPS CEO or DVM on duty, based on the business imperatives of RAPS Reassignment of duties may be required based on the business imperatives of RAPS, which includes assisting the shelter, sanctuary, thrift store or administration offices Must be willing to work weekends and evenings as required
Although the job requires a great deal of collaboration with Veterinarians and Vet Techs, Veterinary Assistants are expected to have initiative and to work independently in getting the job done.

Veterinary Assistant Skills & Qualifications

The Veterinary Assistant must have a blend of technical skills and interpersonal skills. Communication skills and interpersonal skills are especially important as Veterinary Assistants interact act with many people including the veterinarian, office personnel, clients, volunteers, donors and vendors. The skills, knowledge and abilities mostly required to work as veterinary assistants include the following:

Having a recognized qualification as Veterinary Assistant is an asset but not a necessity Be passionate about animals Be passionate about RAPS Be patient and calm Be attentive to detail Be physically fit to restrain pets Be overly friendly to customers, clients and patients Have good interpersonal and verbal communication skills to attend to visitors at the front desk and animal owners Using IDEXX Cornerstone or EZYVet practice-management / client software Great phone communication and customer services Attention to detail and follow up Willingness to assist with medical emergencies Microsoft office computer proficiencies A positive, constructive attitude Must be willing to work weekends as needed
Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $17.00-$20.00 per hour

Benefits:

Dental care Extended health care Flexible schedule Life insurance On-site parking Store discount Vision care
Schedule:

10 hour shift Monday to Friday Weekends as needed
Ability to commute/relocate:

Richmond, BC: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:

Vet Office Assistant: 1 year (required)
Work Location: In person