Veterinary Assistant - Oncology

Pacific Northwest Pet ER & Specialty Center is a 24/7 emergency and specialty hospital located in Vancouver, WA, just outside Portland, OR.

We offer advanced veterinary technology, including MRI, CT, and more, in a supportive work environment focused on wellness and mental health.

Benefits include competitive compensation, staff pet discounts, continuing education, health insurance, 401k, and a $2/hr pay differential for Veterinary Assistants working between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Enjoy working in a modern space, complete with an employee garden!

Primary Responsibilities:

Communication:

• Assist with appointment admission, history collection, and discharges
• Provide patient updates, reporting doctor recommendations
• Call in prescriptions verbally and/or send electronically
• Provide follow-up care for patients and clients
• Provide client education on drug side effects, common toxicity, half-life, nadir, and handling of animal waste products while on chemotherapy
• Follow established hospital policies and procedures when handling client communications and concerns
• Communicate with doctors, technicians, and assistants regarding patient status or concerns
• Practice kind, respectful communication between coworkers
• Communicate respectfully with referring veterinarians

Treatment of patients:

• Obtain and record vitals, assist in prescribed nursing care
• Utilize gentle patient handling techniques and ask for sedation when needed
• Fill and administer non-controlled medications as prescribed by the doctor
• Witness the drawing of controlled drugs
• Provide accurate charting and complete records in a reasonable timeframe
• Practice proper animal restraint for the safety of the patient, Doctor, tech, and assistant

Imaging:

• Practice appropriate radiation safety techniques
• Perform radiograph positioning and capture
• Assist in CT studies and ultrasounds
• Order diagnostics (rads, AUS, CT) and send for review

Laboratory:

• Set up the appropriate supplies for sample needed
• Run diagnostics as indicated
• Ensure appropriate submission of samples to various labs (including storage, shipping, and forms)
• Set up for FNA’s and prepare to submit to lab

Chemotherapy administration:

• Set up appropriate materials for chemotherapy administration
• Practices proper use of PPE for chemotherapy administration
• Proper restraint of patient during IV chemo administration
• Safely dispense and administer oral chemotherapy using proper safety techniques
• Proper monitoring of IV chemo administration site during administration
• Demonstrate how to properly handle a chemotherapy spill
• Properly handle and dispose of chemotherapy waste materials and patient waste

General oncology service tasks:

• Routinely monitor oncology inventory and order as needed
• Routinely monitor oncology inventory and order as needed
• Maintenance of proper medical records and knowledge of computer skills
• Stock and keep rooms and kennels clean
• Have a clear understanding and enforcement of OSHA regulations and hospital safety standards
• Perform other job duties as assigned

General requirements:

• All employees are required to participate in the on-call rotation as needed. Shifts are subject to revisions and changes at the discretion of the hospital
• Willing to work rotating holiday shifts in the emergency and critical care department

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have a minimum of two years’ experience in veterinary medicine. Specialty Preferred
• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Knowledge of advanced patient handling and restraint
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong work ethic and a positive attitude. Ability to act as a team player.
• Must be flexible, adaptable and ability to multitask.
• Punctual and reliable.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. Pacific Northwest Pet ER & Specialty Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Pacific Northwest Pet ER & Specialty Center complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

This position requires repetitive motion, which includes periods of sitting/standing, bending/stooping, kneeling, and lifting up to 50 pounds.