Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Sonja McLester

Warrenville

Summary

Dedicated Veterinary Assistant with extensive experience at CSRA Lifesaver, skilled in medication administration and client communication. Enhanced patient care through effective restraint techniques and compassionate support, contributing to improved recovery rates. Proven ability to manage appointments and maintain meticulous medical records, fostering strong relationships with pet owners and ensuring optimal animal health.

Overview

4
4
years of professional experience

Work History

Veterinary Assistant

CSRA Lifesaver
04.2021 - Current
  • Assisted in handling and restraining animals during examinations and procedures.
  • Maintained cleanliness and organization of animal care areas and equipment.
  • Supported veterinarians with routine medical tasks, including administering vaccines and medications.
  • Monitored animal behavior and reported any changes to the veterinary team.
  • Prepared examination rooms by ensuring necessary tools and supplies were available.
  • Educated pet owners on proper care, nutrition, and post-treatment instructions.
  • Scheduled appointments and managed client communications effectively.
  • Assisted in inventory management by tracking supplies and placing orders as needed.
  • Assisted in the administration of medications, vaccinations, and treatments as prescribed by the veterinarian.
  • Enhanced patient care by assisting veterinarians with examinations, surgeries, and diagnostic procedures.
  • Cleaned and disinfected exam areas, surgical equipment, and kennels to prevent diseases and control odors.
  • Provided compassionate care for animals during treatment and recovery from illnesses or injuries.
  • Ensured accuracy of medical records by diligently documenting all relevant information for each patient visit.
  • Facilitated efficient inventory management through regular stock checks, ordering supplies, and organizing storage areas.
  • Administered medications to animals in treatment and documented changes in condition.
  • Improved client relations through effective communication and education on pet health needs.
  • Provided customer support to clients, answering questions and addressing concerns.
  • Collaborated with veterinary staff to provide exceptional customer service while managing phone calls and front desk tasks.
  • Helped with training of new veterinary assistants and support staff to improve individuals' capabilities.
  • Contributed to a clean and safe environment by maintaining surgical instruments, equipment, and facilities.
  • Managed kennel duties responsibly ensuring cleanliness comfort safety nutrition hydration exercise monitoring recovering boarding animals.
  • Implemented proper sterilization procedures to maintain a sanitary work environment and prevent cross-contamination risks.
  • Contributed teamwork flexibility adaptability willingness learn new skills support colleagues achieve practice goals objectives.
  • Reduced stress for patients with calming techniques during exams and procedures, creating a positive experience.
  • Assisted in emergency situations effectively providing first aid or life-saving measures under veterinarian supervision.
  • Increased client satisfaction by addressing concerns, answering questions, and offering valuable recommendations for pet care.
  • Assisted with euthanasia procedures in humanely and compassionately to minimize suffering.
  • Processed new patients and updated client records with key information using standardized registration systems and encrypted databases.
  • Promoted preventive care services by educating clients on the importance of routine check-ups, vaccinations, and dental cleanings.
  • Collected patient biopsies and blood samples for laboratory analysis.
  • Streamlined appointment scheduling to optimize daily operations and maximize patient throughput.
  • Expedited laboratory processing times by collecting samples efficiently for blood work or other testing purposes.
  • Assisted senior staff with blood analyses and physical assessments.
  • Provided care for animals before surgeries, administering anesthetics as necessary for overall comfort and health.
  • Contributed to public health by assisting in administration of vaccinations and parasite prevention treatments.
  • Reduced stress for animals undergoing treatment, employing gentle handling techniques and creating calm environment.
  • Increased effectiveness of pet owner communications, providing clear instructions for at-home care and medication administration.
  • Assisted in development of treatment plans, collaborating closely with veterinarians to address specific patient needs.
  • Improved patient care with diligent follow-up calls to assess recovery of animals post-treatment.
  • Maintained medical records and documentation accurately, recording patient histories and treatment plans.
  • Enhanced client satisfaction, educating pet owners on preventative care and nutritional needs.
  • Encouraged preventive care, increasing number of pets receiving timely vaccinations and health screenings.
  • Supported veterinarian efforts in complex cases with detailed record-keeping and data entry for patient histories.
  • Enhanced clinic operations, efficiently scheduling appointments and managing veterinarian calendars.
  • Fostered compassionate atmosphere for animals and pet owners, easing anxiety and building trust.
  • Prepared animals for surgery, including pre-operative care and post-operative monitoring.
  • Maintained clean and hygienic clinic environment, reducing risk of cross-contamination and ensuring safety of all animals.
  • Facilitated smoother surgical procedures by efficiently setting up surgical suites according to veterinarian specifications.
  • Improved animal recovery rates with meticulous monitoring of vital signs and administering medications as prescribed.
  • Assisted veterinarians during examinations, surgeries, and procedures, ensuring smooth operation of the veterinary clinic.
  • Restrained animals for examination and treatment.
  • Administered injections, oral medications and topically applied medications prescribed by veterinarian.
  • Assisted in examination and treatment of animals in veterinary clinic.
  • Followed safety protocols for handling animals.
  • Prepared animals for surgical procedures.
  • Prepared surgical instrument packs and drapes for use in sterile environments by processing in autoclave.
  • Maintained clean and safe animal living areas.
  • Cleaned, sterilized and maintained kennels, operating rooms, and surgical equipment.
  • Monitored vital signs and provided nursing care for animals.
  • Assisted veterinarian during immunologic, medical, surgical, and diagnostic procedures.
  • Kept detailed records of animal treatments and medications.
  • Collected and processed samples for laboratory testing.
  • Observed animals for signs of distress or illness.
  • Assisted veterinarians with euthanasia of animals.
  • Cleaned, sterilized and maintained surgical instruments and equipment.
  • Educated clients on post-surgical care and nutrition.

Education

Associate Degree In Nursing - Nursing

Aiken Technical
Aiken, SC

Skills

  • Client communication
  • Cleaning and sanitizing
  • Patient restraint
  • Animal safety
  • Medication administration
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Sample collection
  • Euthanasia assistance
  • Animal behavior
  • Vaccine administration
  • Sanitation protocols
  • Medical record-keeping
  • Client education
  • Emergency and preventive care
  • Post operative care
  • Pharmacy inventory
  • Animal nutrition
  • Reception duties
  • Urgent care
  • Intravenous catheterization
  • Patient flow management
  • Procedure support
  • Preventative medicine
  • Parasite control
  • Surgical assistance
  • Pre-anesthetic preparation
  • Anesthesia monitoring
  • Animal restraint
  • Reception support
  • Animal handling
  • Careful restraint
  • Veterinary standards and procedures
  • Multitasking
  • Attention to detail
  • Active listening
  • Excellent communication
  • Problem-solving
  • Organizational skills
  • Proper animal restraint
  • Prescription filling
  • Basic animal care
  • Wound care
  • Veterinarian assistance
  • Customer service
  • Time management
  • Medical terminology
  • Patient Check-ins
  • Equipment sterilization
  • Patient recordkeeping
  • Relationship building
  • Equipment preparation
  • Medical charting
  • Post-surgical monitoring
  • Supply ordering and restocking
  • Routine examinations
  • Patient care monitoring
  • Patient discharge
  • Microchip administration
  • Preventive care
  • Customer billing
  • Emergency response
  • Immunization administration
  • Team building
  • Problem identification
  • Cash drawer balancing
  • Dental care

Affiliations

Hands 2 Paws Rescue

Timeline

Veterinary Assistant

CSRA Lifesaver
04.2021 - Current

Associate Degree In Nursing - Nursing

Aiken Technical
Sonja McLester