Internal Medicine Veterinary Assistant

PetVet Care Centers' Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is currently seeking an Internal Medicine Veterinary Assistant to join their team!

At PetVet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people — providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage — for all the moments that matter.

Because life is better with pets.

We deliver the Ultimate Care Experience — every pet, every client, every time. That starts with a Culture of Care that supports our team members as much as the pets and clients we serve.

With more than 400 locally led hospitals and over 11,000 team members nationwide, we offer:

• Local autonomy with national support
• Career mobility and development opportunities
• A collaborative, inclusive environment where your wellbeing comes first

You care for pets. We care for you.

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Position Overview

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky, is the oldest and largest equine hospital in the world! Our McGee Internal Medicine Center sees over 500+ equine neonates a year. This department is a high-paced, action-packed critical care unit in the heart of the world’s equine capital. Not only will you be exposed to Internal Medicine cases, but also variety of others such as; reproductive, ophthalmologic, post-surgical, and neurologic cases. As a bonus, 3 of our 4 medicine barns are temperature-controlled, so don’t worry about the weather! 

This position is truly one of a kind, with three shifts to choose from and endless networking opportunities you’ll love what we do as much as we do! As an Internal Medicine Veterinary Assistant, you will perform a variety of equine health care duties to assist veterinarians and clients in an in-clinic hospital setting. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.  

• Participate and review significant changes in patient’s status in mandatory daily rounds with incoming and outgoing shifts.
• Administers treatments ordered by the veterinarian and according to treatment sheets including oral, IM, IV, SQ and topical medications including fluid therapy and intravenous nutritional support.
• Assisting veterinarians with all procedures including endoscopy, ultrasound, reproductive exams and uterine lavage, radiographs, and joint lavage, IV catheter placement, NGT placement and refluxing.
• Prepares medications, fluids and supplies for patients.
• Monitors patient behavior and status by taking temperature, pulse, respiration, and documenting other vital signs and observations.
• Monitors, identifies problems and makes corrections as required with patient catheter sites, fluid lines, bandages, etc…
• Notifies shift supervisor, and when appropriate, the veterinarian of any significant changes with the patient.
• Collects medical history of patient and accurately documents the chart including supplies, medications, lab work, and procedures
• Ensures hospital policies, work plans, infectious disease protocols and patient rights are followed at all times.
• Holds/restrains horses for examinations and treatments.
• Assists with admission and discharge, hay, feed and watering, euthanasia, disposal of patients, milking mares, feeding foals via naso-gastric tubes, monitoring and set-up of oxygen therapy, nebulization of patients, blood transfusion procedures and plasma administration, assisting with dystocias and C-sections, and adhering to strict infectious disease protocols.
• Collects samples as directed, i.e. blood, urine, fecal, etc.
• Bandages patients and implement any therapeutic requirements as directed.
• Greets and communicates with clients as specified by the shift supervisor and/or veterinarian.  Assists with stocking and maintaining appropriate inventory levels in assigned area per shift.
• Launders, folds and replaces foal bedding, wraps, blankets and necessary materials per shift.
• Maintains clean workspace including but not limited to: sweeping aisles and offices, removing trash, cleaning sinks and counters, cabinets and medical carts and equipment.
• Assists as needed with stall maintenance including cleaning and stripping stalls, disinfecting, bedding and cleaning stall ledges etc.
• Attends and participates in required staff meetings.
• Special projects and additional duties as directed by the supervisor(s), veterinarian(s) or a member of management.

Expectations   

• To treat other people with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.
• To be dependable and punctual on working hours scheduled and to be willing to stay beyond scheduled hours if needed.
• To be a self-starter and take the required initiative to perform all tasks successfully.
• To obtain required knowledge and skills relevant to job responsibilities.
• To contribute to the overall team by utilizing your skills and knowledge to achieve performance excellence.
• To assist in achieving and maintaining high-quality standards in the overall care and needs of patients.
• To maintain confidentiality with regards to client-patient rights.
• To conduct oneself professionally as a representative of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute refraining from inappropriate language and behavior.
• To constructively communicate progress, problems or other issues requiring attention to the appropriate supervisor, doctor or member of management.
• To offer solutions and demonstrate a positive attitude when dealing with clients, supervisors, doctors, management, other team members, and outside vendors or suppliers.
• To give guidance to other personnel in understanding the importance of adhering to procedures and proper protocol in the areas of treatment, patient care and safety standards.
• To administer treatments in a timely and efficient manner, adhering to the exact specifications of the appropriate doctor.
• To maintain a professional appearance and a courteous attitude.
• To maintain a clean/sanitary and well-organized work/service area at all times.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to be considered for this position
• Education/Experience:
  • Preferred: Associate's degree (A. A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school; or over one year related experience and/or training. Previous veterinary experience in a clinic setting. Previous Thoroughbred experience.
  • Required: Equine experience with comfortability handling foals and difficult horses (can be personal or professional experience).
• Language Ability:
  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general technical procedures.  Ability to write/document technical information and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from doctors, other staff and clients.
• Math Ability:
  • Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, and volume. Ability to apply simple math formulas. 
• Reasoning Ability:  
  • Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. 
• Computer Skills:  
  • To perform this job successfully, an individual should have general computer software knowledge and keyboarding skills.
• Certificates and Licenses:  
  • Veterinary Technician License preferred but not required.
• Supervisory Responsibilities:  
  • This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is

• frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles;
• frequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals;
• occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions (non-weather);
• regularly works near moving mechanical parts; experiences outdoor weather conditions, and the risk of electrical shock;
• occasionally exposed to low levels of radiation.
• Frequently exposed to quiet to moderate noise levels.

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 job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is 

• frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.
• frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• occasionally required to sit; climb or balance and smell.
• regularly lift and /or move up to 100 pounds, and
• frequently may be required to exert force on more than 100 pounds, which includes holding and restraining a horse (average 1200 Lbs)
• vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Specific horse handling and restraining skills.

Schedule

As per shift hired for:  

• Day Shift            7:30 am – 3:30 pm
• Evening Shift      3:30 pm – 11:30 pm
• Night Shift          11:30 pm – 7:30 am

Overtime as directed. All time off to be pre-approved by supervisor or McGee Medicine Center Administrator. 

What We Offer
We care deeply about supporting our team members — professionally and personally. Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid Parental Leave (birth, adoption, foster)
• 401(k) with discretionary contribution
• Team Member Pet Discounts
• Emotional wellbeing support — including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP
• CE stipends and career development resources
• Grant Circle — a relief fund for team members facing personal hardship
• Local hospital culture backed by national resources

Pay Range 16 - 18 USD