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　　BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital in Des Moines, IA,is seeking a dedicated Summer Student Patient Care Associate to join their team!  

　　Do you have a passion for animals? 

　　Are you looking to improve your skills and learn more about the veterinary health industry? 

　　Would you enjoy working in a fast-paced, team environment? 

　　If you answered "yes" to the questions, then we would love to hear from you.  

　　The summer student patient care associate is a student enrolled full-time in an AVMA accredited Doctor of Veterinary Medicine/veterinary medical doctor training program or veterinary technician/technologist/nursing training program.  Students will be employed as temporary associates for 8-12 weeks, between May and September.  Students will be immersed in specialty and emergency medicine to augment the medical knowledge and technical skill that they have acquired thus far in school.  The summer student patient care associate will assist the doctors, technicians, and advanced patient care associates with all aspects of patient care and client communication.   

　　As a Summer Student Patient Care Associate, you will:

　　Possess knowledge of basic veterinary terminology and abbreviations 

　　Able to appropriately and safely restrain canine and feline patients 

　　Able to perform a basic physical examination to collect patient vital signs 

　　Triage patients over the phone and in-person 

　　Collect a basic history from a client 

　　Ability to input patient data into the medical record system.  Document treatments administered, treatment adjustments per the attending doctor, and communication with the doctor, client, or primary care veterinarian. 

　　Assist clinician and technicians throughthe exam and diagnostic workup process 

　　Effectively communicate discharge instructions to a client 

　　Support clinician and client through the euthanasia process 

　　Participate in the delivery of basic and advanced life support as directed by the clinician 

　　Perform phlebotomy 

　　Place intravenous catheter 

　　Accurately perform basic medical math 

　　Administer subcutaneous fluids 

　　Administer SQ, IM, or IV injections 

　　Operate basic equipment including fluid pumps, syringe pumps, SpO2 monitor, ETCO2 monitor, indirect blood pressure monitors (Doppler and oscillometric) 

　　Run basic in-house diagnostic tests including CBC, chemistry panel, urinalysis, coagulation profiles, blood gases, and process slides for cytologic interpretation 

　　Obtain diagnostic quality radiographs using proper techniques and personal protective equipment 

　　Students with prior veterinary medical experience or in advanced stages of their curriculum may be able to complete: 

　　Placement of the indwelling urinary catheter 

　　Bandage application 

　　Endotracheal intubation 

　　Anesthesia monitoring 

　　Assist clinician in advanced procedures such as endoscopy or surgical assist 

　　QUALIFICATIONS  

　　Must be a full-time student enrolled in an AVMA accredited DVM/VMD or veterinary technician/technologist/nursing program. 

　　Must be available for a minimum of 8 weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks during May – September. 

　　No prior emergency or specialty medicine experience is required.  However, animal experience is preferred. 

　　Why BluePearl?  

　　We encourage you to grow with us. Our associates are leveled by their skillset and move up in level as they gain more skills and experience. We are focused on developing our associates into leaders through talent development programs and leadership workshops. As a member of Mars Veterinary Health, our associates have endless opportunities to advance in their career. 

　　To transform and lead the industry through innovative quality medicine and care, we understand the importance of continuous learning. We offer annual continuing education allowance, free continuing education sessions, our own BluePearl University for training, and our clinicians have access to over 2,000 medical journals. 

　　A regional licensed social worker who can provide guidance, advice, and tips/tricks on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle while working in a fast-paced emergency and specialty care environment. 

　　We promote a family-like culture in our hospitals. We are all in this together. We believe in working together to lead the industry by enriching lives through remarkable care for pets. 

　　BluePearl is committed to a diverse work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity _ _employer _ and you will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or_ accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized _ _as a result of _ such a request. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and a_ Drug-Free Workplace.