July 23rd - 29th, 2023

• Present a positive, respectful and professional demeanor to coworkers and clients

• Maintain a professional appearance while at work, including clean and neat uniforms and name badges

• Maintain a clean environment in the hospital and outside grounds

• Be prepared to handle any facility emergency with poise and tact, including fire or weather related emergencies

• Strive to stay abreast of current advancements in veterinary medical care as it pertains to dogs and cats

• Work both independently and in conjunction with all other members of the assistant team, receptionists, veterinarians, and other members of the veterinary health care team to provide excellent patient and client care

• Provide compassionate inpatient nursing care, see that patients’ medical and husbandry needs are consistently met and ensure there are no gaps in DVM management during case transfer

• Perform patient pre-examinations (obtain brief medical history, weight, and temperature)

• Have high facility with restraint of fragile and/or fractious patients

• Assist in obtaining diagnostic radiographic studies

• Act as a sterile or non-sterile assistant to the veterinarian in surgery and be familiar with surgical equipment and techniques as appropriate to each facility

• Set up and assist with procedures that utilize a surgical laser, endoscope, laparoscope, or other surgical tools and perform equipment maintenance

• Understand and apply the current vaccine protocols

• Assist in euthanasia

• Have a good working knowledge of reception procedures and be able to assist the reception team when necessary

• Maintain inventory to keep supplies current and available

• Trouble-shoot equipment problems and arrange for maintenance and repairs as needed

• Have basic proficiency with the veterinary practice software, Word, and Excel applications

• Chart medical records according to practice protocol, using correct medical terminology and abbreviations

• Accurately capture fees from procedures performed, code them into the medical record, and create forms and reminders appropriate for post-operative care and follow-up procedures

• Invoice and generate treatment plan estimates

• Launder patient bedding and surgical linens

• Participate in continuing education as appropriate

Assistants and technicians are often confused by those not already in the industry, Specific differences vary by state, however in general veterinary technicians are required to seek a Veterinary Technician degree, become licensed in their state, and complete a prerequisite number of continuing education hours in order to renew their licensing. Veterinary assistants are not licensed by the state and no formal schooling is required to become a veterinary assistant.  However, there are more and more veterinary assistant training programs being created and increasing demand for this certification when hiring. 

Differences can vary from practice to practice and in many cases there is cross-training between the positions, but particularly in larger practices veterinary receptionists are responsible for the majority of administrative related interactions with clients while assistants are more involved with the medical interactions and direct patient contact. 

Veterinary assistants are incredibly important medical staff within the veterinary team and without them veterinary care can suffer significantly.  With a week devoted to celebrating our technicians and another for receptionists it makes no sense lump them in with one or the other team, as they provide unique and valuable services within the clinic. In most cases they fill an indispensable role that supports every other person within the clinic setting. 

We are glad to have veterinary assistants be celebrated ANY time, including during veterinary technician week. However, by conflating veterinary technicians and assistants we think it really reduces client understanding as to what each position is and reduces the perceived value of each position. We love that NAVTA has worked hard to include veterinary assistants under their umbrella but think it's important to celebrate each team individually!