Veterinary Assistant

Position Purpose

The Veterinary Assistant provides excellent medical care to our Vetco Total Care full‑service hospital patients and delivers outstanding customer service to their owners. Representing the mission and values of Petco, the assistant creates a professional, compassionate environment that fosters teamwork and high‑quality patient care.

• Greet clients and patients arriving for appointments, escort them into an exam room, obtain weight and vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations) and record the information in the electronic medical record. Collect thorough patient histories and document the visit in the EMRs.
• Assist doctors with routine and emergency appointments, surgery, dentistry, and euthanasia under supervision from the veterinarian and credentialed veterinary technician.
• Perform patient restraint, obtain and process laboratory samples, handle and dispense medications at the direction of the veterinarian, and help maintain the electronic medical record.
• Schedule appointments, provide client education, relay test results to doctor and clients, and maintain and update client/patient records.
• Help prepare patients for surgical and dental procedures and assist doctor and/or veterinary technician in anesthetizing patients. Monitor patients safely under anesthesia, assist during recovery, and prepare them for discharge or transfer to an overnight care facility.
• Under supervision, perform in‑hospital treatments for sick patients including giving injectable and oral medications, intravenous fluid therapy; keep patients clean, watered, and fed when directed by doctor; safely walk canine patients for elimination when necessary.
• Assist in training new staff members and disseminate knowledge as required.
• Keep the hospital environment neat and clean; perform regular cleaning based on a predetermined maintenance schedule.

• Perform additional duties as assigned.
• Provide backup phone and front‑desk support as needed.

In all activities related to patient care, the assistant works under direct supervision from the veterinarian and veterinary technician. For overall supervision, the assistant receives direction from the Home Office Manager (HOM) or Head Line of Duty (HLOD) or the supervising technician for the shift.

The Veterinary Assistant plays a crucial role in ensuring that day‑to‑day hospital operations are efficient and provide an optimal experience for patients and clients.

This position contributes to the growth of a productive practice by maintaining a high‑quality standard of care. It helps ensure a cohesive, well‑trained, and motivated technical team, improving employee retention, patient well‑being, and customer satisfaction.

This position has no immediate supervisory duties.

• Preferred:
  At least one year of experience in a veterinary practice or comparable animal‑care experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Compassionate and sympathetic with a professional attitude during emotional and stressful situations.
• Telephone and computer proficiency.
• Team player willing to learn new techniques, offer creative ideas, and embrace change.

Major duties are performed in the veterinary hospital. The role requires bending, kneeling, lifting (up to 30 pounds, as necessary), and standing for extended periods. Most time is spent directly interacting with clients and their pets.

Regular communication with clients, veterinary specialists, and product or service vendors that the practice utilizes.

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification.