Wards Veterinary Nurse Assistant

Job Title

Wards Veterinary Nurse Assistant

Ryan Veterinary Hospital is seeking a Veterinary Nurse Assistant to join our dynamic team. Our Veterinary Nurse Assistants are an integral part of our nursing team assisting with providing excellent care to our patients.

• Stocking supplies
• Cleaning
• Cage set up/breakdown
• Make heparinized flushes
• Laundry
• Cleaning medical equipment (alcohol wipes only; no Rescue)
• Pharmacy, clinical lab runs
• Walking patients in appropriate areas, double-leashed
• Proper labeling and transport of deceased patients to appropriate cooler
• Patient restraint
• Proper handling and running of Nova samples, PCV/TP, blood smears, glucometer, and Idexx tests. Bloodwork must always be checked with a nurse after being analyzed.
• Prime fluid bags on a cassette. Cannot set up fluid pumps.
• Anticipate nurses needs. This includes setting up for an IV catheter, blocked cat set up. Talk with the nurse on duty about their expectations.
• Assist nurses with patients triaged to the treatment area that need immediate care.
• Assist with discharge of outpatients once properly trained.
• ANY changes/abnormalities/questions on patient status must be brought to attention of nurse.

• Level 1 responsibilities
• Room organization
• Some supervised medical treatments on stable patients only
• Assist nurses with unstable patients
• May need to work in any of the 24/7 nursing areas during busy times. (ES, ICU, Wards)
• Become familiar with normal and abnormal physical parameters including mucous membranes, capillary refill time, pulses, heart rate, respiratory rate and effort, and lung sounds
• Feel comfortable with all monitoring equipment including normal results for the pulse oximeter, ECG set up, doppler/Cardell.
• Focus on anticipating nurse’s needs. This includes setting up for an IV catheter, blocked cat set up, fluid bag set up, etc…
• All treatments/findings must be checked and approved by nurse on duty.
• May perform treatments on stable patients under direct nurse supervision:
  • TPR, ECG, Doppler, connect/disconnect IVF
  • Prime IVF bags (cannot start infusions)
  • No medication administration

Hours for this position are 8:00am - 4:00pm Monday through Friday.

A High School Diploma and 1-2 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience working in a veterinary setting and experience with patient restraint is required. Candidates should also have experience working with difficult to handle patients, the proven ability to multitask and to follow directions. In addition candidates should also have strong interpersonal and communication skills.

A High School Diploma and 2-3 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience working in a veterinary setting and experience with patient restraint is required. Candidates should also have experience working with difficult to handle patients, the proven ability to multitask and to follow directions. In addition candidates should also have strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Ability to stand, kneel, bend, reach for prolonged periods of time. Must be able to lift >25 pounds with minimal assistance.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

School of Veterinary Medicine

$15.90 - $19.00 Hourly Rate

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.