Position: Triage Assistant

Department: RVT

Employment Type: Part-Time / Casual

Primary Schedule: Weekends, Holidays & High-Volume Shifts

Reports To: Management

Rate: $20 to $30.00 per hour

Position Summary The Triage Assistant is a clinical support position designed to assist the RVT and DVM teams during periods of increased patient volume.

The focus of this role is initial patient triage, history taking, client communication, and clinical support. By assisting with these responsibilities, the Triage Assistant helps create capacity for our RVTs to focus on technical nursing care, diagnostics, procedures, hospitalized patients, and other medical responsibilities.

This position is particularly well suited to a veterinary student, RVT/VT student, RVT’s or individual pursuing a career in veterinary medicine who is looking to gain meaningful experience in an emergency and referral environment.

The Triage Assistant works under the direction of the RVT and DVM team. This position does not independently diagnose, prescribe, determine treatment, or make medical decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Patient Triage & History

Under the direction of the medical team, the Triage Assistant may:

- Welcome clients and patients entering the exam rooms.
- Obtain and document a thorough patient history.
- Gather information regarding the presenting concern, timeline, previous medical history, medications, and other relevant information.
- Obtain and document basic patient vital parameters as trained and directed.
- Observe patients for changes or concerns and promptly communicate findings to the RVT or DVM.
- Assist the medical team with patient flow and prioritization.
- Communicate appropriately with clients throughout the initial intake process.
- Recognize situations requiring immediate escalation to the medical team.

RVT & DVM Support The Triage Assistant may assist the medical team with:

- Patient restraint and positioning as directed.
- Basic patient care related to the patient's visit.
- Patient preparation for examinations, procedures, and diagnostics.
- Assisting with diagnostics within the individual's training and competency.
- Assisting with procedures under appropriate supervision.
- Surgical room preparation and turnover.
- Equipment and instrument preparation and care.
- Moving and positioning patients throughout the hospital.
- Other clinical support duties as delegated by the RVT or DVM.

The responsibilities assigned to the Triage Assistant will be based on training, competency demonstrated, and direction from the medical team. Medical Records & Client Support

- Accurately enter patient history and triage information into the medical record.
- Assist with documentation as directed.
- Assist with preparing estimates and invoices.
- Communicate appropriate information between clients and the medical team.
- Compassionate care to clients and patients.
- Help clients understand the next step in the intake process.
- Ensure clients are organized in queue.
- Maintain client confidentiality and professional standards at all times.

Role Boundaries The Triage Assistant is a support role and does not replace an RVT unless an RVT. The Triage Assistant will work within their education, training, and demonstrated competency and will seek direction when unsure.

Medical assessment, diagnosis, treatment decisions, medication decisions,



and clinical delegation remain the responsibility of the appropriate RVT/DVM team member.

The goal is to create a team environment where each person is able to contribute at the highest level appropriate to their training.

Qualifications

Required

- Currently enrolled in a DVM, RVT/VT, or veterinary-related educational program, or actively pursuing a career in veterinary medicine.
- Strong interest in emergency and referral medicine.
- Comfortable handling dogs and cats.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Comfortable communicating with clients who may be stressed, worried, or emotional.
- Able to remain calm and focused in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Able to follow direction and established hospital protocols.
- Willingness to learn and accept feedback from experienced RVTs and DVMs.
- Reliable, punctual, and dependable.
- Able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Preferred

- Previous veterinary hospital experience.
- Experience in an emergency or referral hospital.
- Previous animal handling experience.
- Previous client service or customer service experience.
- Experience with veterinary medical records.
- Experience obtaining patient histories and vital parameters.

Previous veterinary experience is an asset but not required for the right candidate. Physical Requirements The successful candidate must be able to:

- Stand and walk for extended periods.
- Bend, kneel, and reach as required for patient care.
- Safely assist with the handling and restraint of dogs and cats.
- Assist with moving patients and equipment.
- Work safely around animals that may be frightened, painful, stressed, or reactive.
- Work around animal waste, bodily fluids, cleaning products, and other normal conditions within a veterinary hospital.

Appropriate assistance and patient-handling procedures must be used when required. Learning & Development

NVEC is committed to providing a collaborative learning environment.

The Triage Assistant will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced DVMs and RVTs and gain exposure to a wide variety of emergency and referral cases.

Depending on education, experience, and demonstrated competency, learning opportunities may include:

- Client communication
- Patient history taking
- Triage and patient prioritization
- Vital parameter collection
- Medical record documentation
- Patient handling and restraint
- Emergency patient flow
- Diagnostics
- Procedures
- Surgical preparation
- Emergency medicine
- Referral medicine
- Interdisciplinary teamwork

This role can provide valuable experience for individuals considering future careers as RVTs, DVMs, or other veterinary professionals.

Schedule

This is a part-time/casual position.

Primary scheduling needs will include:

- Weekends
- Holidays
- High-volume days
- Weekday evenings, where available
- Summer and school-break periods, based on hospital need

The number of shifts available will vary based on hospital demand and candidate availability.



There may be opportunities for additional hours during periods of increased patient volume.

Why NVEC?

NVEC is a growing emergency and referral centre committed to providing excellent patient care while developing the next generation of veterinary professionals.

The Triage Assistant role provides an opportunity to gain meaningful experience while becoming an active member of the NVEC team.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to:

- Develop practical veterinary skills.
- Build confidence in client communication.
- Gain exposure to emergency and referral medicine.
- Learn from experienced DVMs and RVTs.
- Develop professional relationships and mentorship opportunities.
- Build a network within the veterinary community.
- Better understand the roles of RVTs, DVMs, and support staff.
- Explore future career opportunities within veterinary medicine.

Core Competencies Communication: Communicates clearly, professionally, and compassionately with clients and team members.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively and understands that effective patient care requires strong communication across the entire team.

Clinical Awareness: Recognizes changes or concerns in a patient and understands when to immediately involve the RVT or DVM.

Organization: Accurately gathers information, documents findings, and manages multiple priorities.

Adaptability: Remains calm and effective when patient volume or priorities change quickly.

Professionalism: Demonstrates reliability, accountability, confidentiality, and respect for clients, patients, and colleagues.

Learning Mindset: Actively seeks feedback, asks questions, and demonstrates a willingness to develop recent skills.

Success in This Role

Success as a Triage Assistant means helping the hospital move patients through the initial stages of care efficiently while allowing our RVTs to focus their time and expertise on where it is most needed.

The successful Triage Assistant will help:

Improve patient flow. Improve client communication. Reduce RVT administrative burden. Increase RVT clinical capacity. Support more efficient patient care The role is ultimately about teamwork, capacity, and learning, creating additional support around our medical team so that NVEC can continue to provide excellent care as we grow.

Working Environment

- Fast-paced 24/7 emergency hospital.
- Regular interaction with animals and emotionally sensitive situations.
- Physical activity including standing, walking, and lifting up to 50 lbs.
- Exposure to biohazards, chemicals, and controlled substances.
- Flexibility to support evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.

Accommodation NVEC is committed to building a workplace grounded in equity, respect, and inclusion. In alignment with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), accommodation is available throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.

If accommodation is required, please contact [email protected].

Pay: $20.00-$30.00 per hour

Expected hours: 1.0 – 24.0 per week

Benefits

- Casual dress
- Discounted or free food
- Flexible schedule
- On-site parking

Application question(s):
- Are you currently enrolled in a DVM, RVT/VT, or other veterinary-related educational program, or actively pursuing a career in veterinary medicine?

Yes No
- Are you available to work weekends, holidays, and occasional high-volume shifts as required for this position?

Yes No

Work Location: In person

📌 Triage Assistant (Thorold)
🏢 Niagara Veterinary Emergency Clinic
📍 Thorold