Veterinary Pharmacy / Lab Assistant at Alliance Animal Health — Ventura, CA

The pharmacy / lab assistant must possess critical thinking and problem-solving skills, compassion, a positive attitude, excellent communication and teamwork skills. It is the assistant’s responsibility to assist staff in preparing dispensed medications, processing and recording/documenting laboratory samples, inventory of laboratory supplies; and routine maintenance of laboratory equipment. They are responsible for communicating with the senior staff and doctors if questions arise. They must also be able to make decisions

and work independently, so must use good judgment in providing safe and appropriate patient care

Pharmacy Duties Include:

• Fill prescriptions for patients. This is an important function of this position that requires a high level of attention to detail. It is vital to the health of our patients that all medications filled are accurate.
• Check the pharmacy refill voicemail and pharmacy email at least three times daily.
• Communicate with outside pharmacies or our online pharmacy at least three times daily for customers filling their prescribed medications elsewhere.
• Ability to explain to a customer how to give medications to their pet (ex: injections, inhalers, oral medications, sub-cutaneous fluids, etc.).
• Inventory count of all medication supplies twice weekly and reporting to the Inventory Coordinator to ensure prompt ordering (with Inventory Coordinator’s collaboration).
• Receive orders by unpacking boxes, checking shipped supplies versus invoice to ensure all items were received, and properly re-stocking/rotating supplies.
• Be able to understand and calculate pharmacy metrics such as mg/ml.
• CURES Submissions and Compliance
• Maintain Ring Central, VetSource, and other pharmacy collaborative platforms
• Engage in client informational requests surrounding uncommon and off label use of pharmaceuticals and products by means of research, doctor input, and other resources.
• Fabrication of SOPs and How-To manuals for educational training purposes.

Laboratory Duties Include:

• Process, record and document in-house & send-out lab work.
• Ensure Idexx, Antech and other laboratory samples are properly packaged, labelled and picked up by vendor(s). Understand what the laboratory submission requirements are for submission tests, as well as turn-around expectation and adequately communicate them to other staff.
• Maintain inventory of in-house laboratory supplies (requisition forms, sample collection containers) and report to Inventory Manager.
• Keep cytology stains stocked and change out twice per week.
• Clean out the refrigerator hold box once per week.
• Manually enter in-house results that do not get uploaded to the system automatically (ex: glucose, lactate, PT/PTT, i-STAT, etc.).
• Scan and file written laboratory requisition forms for all outside lab patient samples.
• Routine maintenance on laboratory machines.
• Assist in cleaning the hospital including (but not limited to): laundry, floors, taking out the trash and recycling, cleaning reception, treatment areas, surgery suite, exam rooms, kennels, and kitchen.
• Appropriate disinfection protocol used when cleaning various areas of the hospital.
• Provide proper, safe, and gentle animal restraint for a variety of procedures including: catheter placement, surgical prep (when requested), bandaging, and radiograph positioning, exams, etc.
• Maintain proper documentation in the electronic medical record (Cornerstone) which includes recording and signing off on all pharmacy or laboratory treatments and observations in the appropriate places (PVL, White Board, treatment sheets, etc.).

Whether you’re looking to just be a master of your role or trying to grow into that next career move, you’ll have opportunities through a variety of virtual and hands on, interactive training and continuing development!

• High School Diploma or G.E.D. required.
• Consistent punctuality and reliability in adherence to scheduled shifts.
• Excellent client communication and medical record management skills.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Have an understanding of different pharmacy medications and their basic uses.
• Basic math skills and an understanding of pharmacy calculation metrics such a mg/ml.
• Computer skills, including Windows based computer systems, word processing, email, web search, and other skills needed to effectively use Patient Information Management Software.
• Must be able to safely lift 40 pounds unassisted or up to 150 pounds with 3 person assist.
• Must be able to be on your feet for extended periods of time which often requires bending, crouching, squatting, leaning over, twisting, reaching, upper body strength, hand strength, sitting on the ground, and other physical demands. Must also be strong enough to withstand the pulling of a large strong dog on a leash.
• Expertise in safe and low-stress animal restraint techniques.
• Proficiency in various sample collection methods (blood, urine, fecal, skin specimens).
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with exposure to animal-related hazards

Pay Range: $20 - $24/hr. depending on level of experience

We offer our staff:

• Comprehensive Benefits (health, dental, vision, liability, 401k & 401K matching program, life & supplemental insurance, HSA, & FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time for ALL Employees
• Paid Bereavement Program
• Paid Parental Leave Program
• Competitive Compensation
• Continuing Education Allowance (applies to licensed/registered/certified roles)
• Tuition Reimbursement Program Available to any AVMA Accredited Veterinary Technology Program
• Career Development Opportunities
• Referral Bonus Program for most positions!
• Additional Benefits May Also Be Available (i.e. Personal Pet Discounts, Holiday Pay, Uniform Allowance, Bonuses etc)