About This Role:

The Veterinary Health Center (VHC) within the College of Veterinary Medicine is seeking Veterinary Assistants for Central Preparation, Pet Health, Exotics, Specialty Surgical Services. The purpose of this position is to provide assistance to VHC veterinarians and veterinary nurses in the performance of their duties to improve the patient and client service experience. This position will provide patient care, clerical support, and serve as a veterinary assistant in the service area. Assisting with patient care is of the utmost importance and will be a priority for this position. This position is also responsible for scheduling and preparing for patient appointments, working with clients, stocking, lab submissions, and cleanliness of the service area. The search committee will provide more details about the specific areas looking to hire during the interview process.

The College of Veterinary Medicine has a variety of sections such as Small Animal ICU, Central Preparation, Pet Health, Exotics and Specialty Surgical Services. These sections are seeking applicants for a Veterinary Assistant. The search committee will provide more details about the specific areas looking to hire during the interview process.

Duties/Responsibilities

Small Animal ICU: Assist VHC Veterinarians and Registered Veterinary Technicians: A) Provide patient care B) Monitor, record and report physical signs of hospitalized patients C) Assist with compliance of all biohazard and infection control protocols D) Enter charges for the service and ensure accuracy E) Restock and reorder supplies. 

Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Specialist A) Enter documentation into EMR as directed and appropriate B) Provide input in the creation and development of EMR forms C) Serve as EMR and Hospital Information System resource for students, staff and faculty.

Sterile Processing Technician:  Preparing surgical instruments for decontamination as they return from surgery.  Inspection of instruments for sharpness, function, and damage. Proper assembly and wrapping packs. Loading packs and other instruments in appropriate sterilizer. Complete sterilization load logs. Preparation other medical supplies as needed. Launder of surgical linens, scrubs, and white coats. Maintain a clean and orderly work area by participating in daily cleaning tasks. - Routine maintenance and cleaning of all machines and equipment within the department. Assist in maintaining and monitoring equipment, materials, supplies, and other commodities utilized daily in support of client, teaching and research procedures. Provide requests to supervisor for reordering of commodities. Perform daily tasks to ensure the Self-Help Laboratory is operational. Participate in after-hours emergency on call rotation to include weekends and holidays. Perform other duties as requested. Be an effective and dependable employee by beginning each day with a clean, neat uniform, establish and maintain good work habits, maintain a positive, professional relationship with faculty, staff, students, and clients demonstrating behavior that is conducive to harmonious working relationships. This position has no animal contact.

Pet Health: Assist VHC Veterinarians and Veterinary Nurses: A) Provide patient care a. Restraint of animals b. Feed, exercise and bathe patients B) Collection and submission of urine, fecal, and blood samples C) Monitor, record and report physical signs of hospitalized patients D) Assist with compliance of all biohazard and infection control protocols a. Examples:  Clean cages and runs, provide clean bedding, water and litter boxes ii. Wash and sanitize feed bowls and animal cages E) Restock and reorder supplies. EMR Specialist A) Medical Scribe a. Gather information for patient visit b. Enter documentation into the EMR as directed and appropriate B) Provide input in the creation and development of EMR forms C) Serve as EMR and Hospital Information System resource for students, staff and faculty D) Serve as secretary of the service a. Screen calls b. Serve as resource of service daily activities c. Serve as a client liaison with the service E) Schedule appointments. Other duties as assigned.

Exotics: Exotics Assistant Responsibilities: This position will be responsible for organization and maintenance of the exotic’s exam rooms, conference room, and patient ward and wildlife ward. The position will provide assistant support to exotics faculty, staff, and senior veterinary students assigned to the exotic’s rotation. Exotics OR Technical Responsibilities: 1. Prepare and maintain the surgical suites to consistently provide a sterile environment and adequate supplies 2. Assist as a surgical team member by preparing animals for surgical procedures 3. Assure instruments are prepared and returned to Central Preparation in a timely manner.

Specialty Surgical Services: Receive and deliver patients that have been dropped off for care at the VHC to the appropriate service, staff, or student within the hospital. This requires a thorough knowledge of VHC protocol, knowledge of software for completing patient intake paperwork, familiarity with animal species and breeds, basic knowledge of medical terminology and health problems, and a customer service approach. Assist veterinarians and veterinary nurses where needed in the hospital with patient care and restraint, transporting patients to different areas of the hospital as needed. Be an effective and dependable employee by beginning each day with a clean, neat uniform, establish and maintain good work habits, maintain a positive professional relationship with faculty, house officers, staff, and students. Perform other duties as requested by supervisor, or Hospital Administrator or Director by following procedures developed for the KSU-VHC.

Why Join Us:

The Veterinary Health Center is a teaching hospital that offers routine, emergency, and specialty care services. The VHC strives to provide exceptional care for patients from high-quality routine healthcare to state-of-the-art advanced therapy for seriously ill patients. The Veterinary Health Center is located in Manhattan, Kansas, and is a vibrant college community with a population over 55,000 in the Flint Hills. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes 24 vacation days plus other paid time off (holidays, sick, and discretionary), health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans. To see what benefits are available, please visit: https://www.k-state.edu/hcs/benefits

We Support Diversity and Inclusion:

Kansas State University embraces diversity and inclusion. The university actively seeks individuals who foster a collegial environment and cooperative interactions with coworkers, students, and others. The University is dedicated to promoting the Principles of Community.

Worksite Options:

This position is required to be performed on-site. Work is performed on employer premises or designated assignment location.

Visit this link for K-State’s guidance and policies on remote work and flexible work arrangements.  Remote work agreements are required for all flexible work arrangements and are subject to review.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a high school diploma and one year of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1 year of previous experience working in a large animal veterinary hospital setting.
• Large animal handling skills.

Other Requirements:

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.

How to Apply:

Please complete the application and submit the following documents:

1. Resume
2. Cover letter
3. Contact info for three professional references

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until position is filled.

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range:

$15.00 - $17.00 per hour 

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Background Screening Statement:

In connection with your application for employment, Kansas State University will procure a Background Screen on you as part of the process of considering your candidacy as an employee.