Veterinary Assistant
Clayview Animal Clinic
An Affiliate of Great Lakes Veterinary Group
South Bend, Indiana
About the Opportunity
Clayview Animal Clinic, an affiliate of Great Lakes Veterinary Group, is seeking a compassionate, dependable, and motivated Veterinary Assistant to join our team in South Bend, Indiana.
Veterinary Assistants are an essential part of our patient-care team and work closely with veterinarians, veterinary technicians, client service representatives, and fellow support staff to provide exceptional medical care and a positive experience for our clients and their pets.
The ideal candidate enjoys working in a collaborative veterinary environment, communicates effectively with both clients and coworkers, takes initiative, and understands that exceptional patient care depends on teamwork, attention to detail, flexibility, and compassion.
While this position is primarily focused on veterinary assisting, Clayview Animal Clinic operates with a cross-trained team model. Team members are expected to learn and support multiple areas of hospital operations as appropriate to their training, demonstrated competency, and the needs of the practice.
This position is specifically based at Clayview Animal Clinic. Although Clayview is affiliated with Great Lakes Veterinary Group, employees hired for this position are not routinely expected to work or train at other Great Lakes Veterinary Group locations unless a separate arrangement is discussed with the employee.
Essential Responsibilities
Responsibilities of the Veterinary Assistant include, but are not limited to:
- Assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians with examinations, treatments, procedures, and patient care.
- Safely and compassionately restrain dogs and cats for examinations, diagnostic procedures, treatments, and sample collection.
- Prepare examination rooms, treatment areas, equipment, and supplies for appointments and procedures.
- Assist with obtaining patient histories and documenting appropriate information in the medical record.
- Prepare patients and supplies for diagnostic testing, treatments, and surgical procedures.
- Assist with the collection and processing of laboratory samples as permitted by training and applicable regulations.
- Monitor and care for hospitalized and recovering patients under the direction of the veterinary medical team.
- Provide routine patient care, including feeding, walking, cleaning, comfort measures, and maintaining patient bedding.
- Assist with surgical preparation, room turnover, instrument cleaning, packaging, and sterilization.
- Maintain clean, organized, and properly stocked examination rooms, treatment areas, kennels, surgical areas, and other hospital spaces.
- Clean and disinfect equipment and patient-care areas according to established hospital protocols.
- Assist with inventory organization and communicate supply needs to the appropriate team member.
- Communicate professionally and compassionately with clients and appropriately relay medical questions or concerns to the veterinary medical team.
- Assist clients and patients throughout the hospital while maintaining a welcoming and supportive environment.
- Follow hospital protocols related to patient safety, infection control, controlled substances, medical records, workplace safety, and confidentiality.
- Participate in team meetings, training, continuing education, and professional development.
- Support other areas of the hospital when appropriately trained and when operational needs require assistance.
- Perform other duties as assigned by hospital leadership.
Cross-Training & Professional Development
At Clayview Animal Clinic, we believe that well-rounded team members create a stronger hospital and a better experience for our patients, clients, and coworkers. For this reason, all employees are expected to participate in cross-training in responsibilities and positions outside of their primary role within Clayview Animal Clinic.
Although your primary position will be Veterinary Assistant, you will have the opportunity and responsibility to develop an understanding of multiple areas of hospital operations. Cross-training may include:
- Client service and front-desk responsibilities
- Patient care and kennel duties
- Treatment-area support
- Laboratory and diagnostic support
- Surgical preparation and support
- Pharmacy and inventory processes
- Hospital opening and closing procedures
- Cleaning, stocking, and general hospital upkeep
- Administrative and operational responsibilities
- Additional clinical responsibilities appropriate to the employee's training, experience, and demonstrated competency
Cross-training is intended to strengthen communication, teamwork, operational flexibility, and understanding of the complete patient and client experience. It also provides team members with opportunities to broaden their skills and continue developing professionally within the hospital.
Employees are expected to remain flexible, actively participate in training, and assist in areas outside of their primary position when appropriately trained and when hospital needs require it.
Team members will only perform duties for which they have received appropriate training and that are consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and hospital protocols.
Cross-training takes place within Clayview Animal Clinic. Employment in this position does not routinely require working or training at another Great Lakes Veterinary Group location. Any arrangement involving another location would be discussed separately with the employee.
Patient Care Expectations
Every Veterinary Assistant at Clayview Animal Clinic is expected to:
- Treat every patient with compassion, patience, and respect.
- Use appropriate low-stress and safe animal-handling techniques.
- Recognize changes in a patient's condition and promptly communicate concerns to the veterinary medical team.
- Maintain accurate and timely communication regarding patient needs.
- Follow veterinarian and veterinary technician instructions carefully.
- Maintain patient confidentiality and protect client information.
- Prioritize patient safety and comfort at all times.
- Understand personal limitations and seek assistance when a task exceeds their training or demonstrated competency.
Qualifications
Required
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Genuine interest in veterinary medicine and animal care.
- Ability to safely work with dogs and cats of varying sizes, temperaments, and medical conditions.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- Dependable attendance and punctuality.
- Ability to remain organized and productive in a fast-paced environment.
- Willingness to learn new skills, participate in cross-training, and accept coaching and feedback.
- Flexibility and willingness to assist in multiple areas of hospital operations when appropriately trained.
- Commitment to maintaining a professional, respectful, and compassionate workplace.
Preferred
- Previous experience working in a veterinary hospital, animal shelter, boarding facility, kennel, or other animal-care environment.
- Previous veterinary assistant experience.
- Familiarity with veterinary terminology, medical records, patient restraint, laboratory procedures, and basic hospital protocols.
- Previous customer service experience is beneficial.
Previous veterinary experience is valued; however, candidates with strong animal-handling skills, a positive attitude, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn are encouraged to apply.
Skills & Competencies
Successful Veterinary Assistants demonstrate:
- Compassion for animals and their owners.
- Excellent teamwork and communication.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
- Sound judgment and awareness of patient safety.
- Professionalism and emotional maturity.
- Adaptability in a changing clinical environment.
- Initiative and willingness to assist where needed.
- Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities.
- Respectful communication with clients and coworkers.
- Accountability for assigned responsibilities.
- Openness to coaching, feedback, and cross-training.
- Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Physical Requirements
Veterinary medicine is physically demanding. Team members must be able to perform the essential functions of the position safely, with or without reasonable accommodation.
The position may require the ability to:
- Stand and walk for extended periods.
- Bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and perform repetitive movements.
- Lift, carry, or assist with moving animals, equipment, and supplies.
- Assist with the safe restraint and positioning of patients of various sizes.
- Work around animal hair, dander, bodily fluids, cleaning products, medications, and other materials commonly encountered in a veterinary hospital.
- Work in an environment where exposure to frightened, painful, unpredictable, or potentially aggressive animals may occur.
- Perform physical tasks associated with patient care, cleaning, stocking, and routine hospital operations.
Schedule & Attendance
Scheduling is based on the operational needs of Clayview Animal Clinic and may include weekdays and other hours required by hospital operations.
Dependable attendance, punctuality, and schedule flexibility are essential components of this position. Team members are expected to arrive prepared for their scheduled shifts and communicate appropriately regarding absences, delays, or scheduling concerns in accordance with hospital policy.
Our Team
Clayview Animal Clinic is proud to be an affiliate of Great Lakes Veterinary Group, a locally focused veterinary organization committed to supporting strong veterinary teams and providing high-quality medicine to the communities we serve.
While our affiliation provides the support and resources of a larger veterinary organization, Clayview Animal Clinic remains its own hospital team. Employees hired at Clayview work as part of the Clayview team, serving our patients, clients, and community in South Bend.
We believe great veterinary hospitals are built by people who understand that every role contributes to the patient and client experience. Our cross-training approach encourages team members to understand the hospital beyond the boundaries of a single position, support one another when needed, and continue developing their professional skills.
As a Veterinary Assistant at Clayview Animal Clinic, you will have the opportunity to strengthen your clinical abilities, develop a broader understanding of veterinary hospital operations, learn from experienced veterinary professionals, and play a meaningful role in the care of our patients and clients.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Clayview Animal Clinic and Great Lakes Veterinary Group are equal opportunity employers. Employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, organizational needs, and other lawful considerations without unlawful discrimination based on any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Pay: $14.00 - $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
