Overview
Company Description
Labahn Veterinary Hospital has been proudly serving the community since 1946. We believe in nurturing the human-animal bond and creating a harmonious relationship between people and animals. Our 3 veterinarians work hard to practice progressive, state-of-the-art medical quality with a focus on companion animals in the Fort Smith, AR and surrounding areas. We offer many services to provide the best comprehensive care to our patients including Preventative Care, Surgery, Urgent Care, In-House Diagnostics, Digital X-Ray, Laser Therapy, and more.
Fort Smith is one of the largest cities in AR and sits on the Arkansas – Oklahoma border. Known as the city “Where the New South Meets the Old West,” our city has an inviting unique blend of rich heritage, diverse culture and warmth. We’re 5 miles from Van Buren, 45 minutes from Arkansas wine country and about an hour from Fayetteville. Located on the banks of the Arkansas River, many come from near and far to enjoy the white water rafting and beautiful outdoor scenery. Excellent fishing opportunities are available in the nearby streams and lakes. Hiking enthusiasts will enjoy the White Rock area and Mount Magazine. The Fort Smith region is notable for bird watching.
The city is most known for its historic attractions that captivate people of all ages, from antique downtown amusement park rides to our Belle Grove Historic District. Elvis fans can visit Fort Chaffee’s Barbershop and see where he received his famous Army buzz cut, “the haircut heard ’round the world.” Popular things to do include a visit to the Fort Smith Museum of History, a ride on our 1930s electric trolley through downtown Fort Smith, a train excursion on a vintage Pullman Railcar through the Ozark foothills, and much more. The contributions of the United States Marshals Service will be brought to the forefront of our exciting tourism experience in the next few years when the National U.S. Marshals Museum opens to educate and entertain visitors while highlighting the entire 220-year history of The Nation’s oldest law enforcement agency – on the very spot where much of the most dangerous Marshals Service history took place.
Come visit us in our historic and fun “western” town. We’re confident that once you’re here, you’ll want to stay!
To learn more about us click here.
Job duties include, but are not limited to:
A Veterinary Assistant helps the technicians, doctors, and receptionists in all duties of the hospital. The responsibilities vary with current needs of the hospital staff, the season of the year, and the individual abilities demonstrated by the employee.
The Veterinary Assistant is responsible for beginning the procedures for examination. First, the animal is weighed, and the weight recorded on the client card, the temperature is taken and recorded, and medical history is taken on an existing client. It may be necessary to help restrain the pet during the examination and treatment. If injections are needed, the Veterinary Technician will administer those.
MAJOR DUTIES
Kennel: Care of boarded and hospitalized animals including cage cleaning, exercising, feeding, observation for signs of illness, parasites and disease control, laundry, bathing and dipping procedures, keeping animals clean.
Hospital: General cleaning of public and employee areas, building and yard maintenance to maintain clean, odor-free, and attractive environment. Housekeeping and laundry duties for all areas.
Animal: Ability to restrain for procedures performed by technicians or doctors, knowledge of common diseases, their symptoms and means of transmission, administration of oral medications, tend to hospitalized patients from admission to discharge, know change in animal status.
Public Relations: Professional, cheerful, and helpful attitude when contacting pet owners. Educate clients, knowledge of patient folders/files, vaccine schedules, other front desk procedures to assist receptionists.
Laboratory: Performance of simple in-house laboratory tests, completion of forms for out of house laboratory, filing of laboratory reports and cleanup of laboratory area. Aiding in the performance of diagnostic imaging.
Assisting: Animal restraint, nail trimming, ear cleaning, client education, and computer transaction entry during office hours or treatment times.
Inventory: Unpacking, labeling, and stocking of hospital supplies.
OTHER DUTIES
· Set up and read fecal under the microscope and look for parasites; read blood work under microscope, looking for heartworms.
· Dispense medication which the doctor has prescribed.
· Take drug inventory and keep supplies for cleaning, animal food, paper towels, etc. current.
· Assist in preparing patients for surgery.
· Clean, pack and autoclave surgical instruments (Surgical Assistants only).
· Supervise kennel and being responsible for the cleanliness of the entire hospital.
· Keep the wards and kennels clean and disinfected, very high priority.
· Maintenance of autoclave and anesthesia machine (Surgical Assistants Only).
· Keep the exam room organized, ensuring a smooth & efficient client flow. Check all exam rooms for cleanliness, neatness & re-stock at the end of every shift. Sweep & spot clean floors & walls when necessary. Notify staff members of contamination of the exam room when there has been an animal with a communicable disease in a room.
· See that necessary literature is always available for you or doctor to give to client.
· Check on in-patients throughout the day and report any abnormalities to doctor.
· Keep the treatment area clean and free of dirty items used during treatment.
CONTROLS OVER WORK
The practitioners provide continuing or individual assignments indicating generally what is to be done, limitations, quality and quantity expected, deadlines and priority of assignments. The practitioners provide additional, specific instructions for new, difficult, or unusual assignments in animal health care, including suggested work methods or advice on source materials available. The Veterinary Assistant uses initiative in carrying out recurring assignments independently without specific instructions, but refers deviations, problems, and unfamiliar situations not covered by instructions to the practitioner for decision or help. The practitioners assure that finished work and methods used are technically accurate and in compliance with instructions or established procedures. Review of the work increases with more difficult assignments if the veterinary technician assistant has not previously performed similar assignments. Administrative supervision may be provided by the Assistant Team Leader, Technician Team Leader and/or the Practice Manager.
We’re looking for:
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:
· Knowledge of the procedures used for receiving, treating, and scheduling patients, and requesting laboratory tests.
· Knowledge of the use, care, and storage of veterinary instruments, materials, and equipment.
· Knowledge of sterilization techniques to sterilize various instruments and materials.
· Knowledge of the instruments, materials, and standardized procedures used in the full variety of treatments to prepare and provide “tableside” assistance.
PHYSICAL EFFORT
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to bend, stand, stoop, walk, sit, talk, and listen; may be required to walk or stand for long periods of time; will use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel; will reach with hands and arms. The employee is often required to lift and carry animals or materials weighing fifty pounds or more; handle dogs weighing up to 150 lbs.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to hazards associated with aggressive patients; hazards associated with infected animals and controlled substances; exposure to unpleasant odors and noises; exposure to bites, scratches, and animal wastes; possible exposure to contagious diseases.
We offer our staff:
Comprehensive Benefits (health, dental, vision, liability, 401k & 401K matching program, life & supplemental insurance, HSA, & FSA)
Employee Assistance Program
Paid Vacation and Sick Time for ALL Employees
Paid Bereavement Program
Paid Parental Leave Program
Competitive Compensation
Continuing Education Allowance (applies to licensed/registered/certified roles)
Tuition Assistance Program
Access to a CVA/CVT/CVPM Partnership through Penn Foster
Career Development Opportunities
Referral Bonus Program for most positions!
Additional Benefits May Also Be Available (i.e. Personal Pet Discounts, Holiday Pay, Uniform Allowance, Bonuses etc)
*Note – some benefits may only be available to or vary slightly for full time employment status vs part time status.
WE ARE A DRUG-FREE, SMOKE-FREE, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
Company Policy & Federal & State Laws Forbid Discrimination Because of Age, Color, Race, Religion, Sex, Disability, Sexual Orientation or National Origin
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:A Veterinary Assistant helps the technicians, doctors, and receptionists in all duties of the hospital. The responsibilities vary with current needs of the hospital staff, the season of the year, and the individual abilities demonstrated by the employee.
