Veterinary Assistant - Best Friends Cookeville

Best Friends Veterinary Hospital, part of the Suveto network of hospitals, is looking for an experienced full-time Veterinary Assistant to join our Team! We are located in Cookeville, TN. We go the extra mile to provide warm, empathetic service for our clients and their pets.   

Our Veterinary Assistants provide support to the veterinarian and veterinary technician as directed in various areas of the hospital; they also provide professional and efficient client service. This is a dynamic position that requires flexibility, compassion, and a strong work ethic. The ideal candidate will have a genuine love for animals, have the drive to continually learn, have excellent communication skills, work well in a team-based environment, and have the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Best Friends Veterinary Hospital uses outstanding equipment, complies with strict safety protocols, and goes the extra mile to provide warm, empathetic service to our patients and clients.  In addition, our animal hospital is staffed with professionals who take extra measures to eliminate fearfulness, anxiety, and stress in our patients.

• Prepare exam rooms and assist in appointments with doctors.
• Take a thorough history from a client. Perform physical assessments and record observations legibly in a medical record.
• Educate clients on preventative healthcare recommendations and provide a follow-up.
• Communicate any patient or client concerns to appropriate personnel.
• Perform venipuncture to collect blood samples, perform in-house laboratory tests, prepare all forms to be sent to outside labs, and call the owner with results as requested by the veterinarian.
• Provide and monitor all nursing care as requested by the veterinarian for patients admitted to the hospital, including medications (all routes) and monitoring.
• Admit and discharge patients to the hospital by following all admission and discharge protocols. Educate clients on admit/discharge.
• Clean and restock exam rooms, treatment areas, hospital wards, and other areas as requested.
• Must have proficient knowledge of practice software for dispensing veterinarian-approved medication, patient food, printing treatment sheets, discharge instructions, cage card labels, x-ray and lab labels, recording communication with client and doctors, and others as directed by the veterinarian.
• Must have a clear understanding and enforcement of OSHA regulations and hospital safety standards.
• Perform client callbacks and updates as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Must have 1 – 3 years of Vet Assistant experience.
• Knowledge of basic animal care and medical terminology.
• Ability to handle and restrain animals safely and effectively.
• Must be able to lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds or heavier.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational abilities.
• Ability to multitask and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to learn and take direction from veterinarians and senior staff members.
• Compassionate nature and genuine love for animals.
• High School Diploma (or equivalent).