Rachel Wiersma
St. Paul
Summary
Driven and empathetic individual with a passion for helping animals and their owners. Committed to providing quality care and compassionate treatment for all animals. Adept at understanding client needs with patience and generosity, ensuring their concerns are addressed promptly and effectively. Consistently persuasive in communication, able to guide clients through complex processes with ease. A strong focus on patient care and efficient clinic operations. Coordinates well with veterinary staff, ensuring smooth workflow and timely assistance during procedures, while maintaining clean and organized environment for optimal animal health.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Veterinary Assistant
Banfield Animal Hospital
Saint Paul, MN
08.2025 - Current
- Assisted DVMs during procedures/exams by restraining animals, monitoring vitals and administering medications.
- Filled prescriptions for pet owners under the direction of a veterinarian.
- Maintained cleanliness of animal cages, kennels, runs, examination rooms and treatment areas.
- Administered medications orally or topically as prescribed by veterinarians.
- Performed basic laboratory tests such as fecal analysis and urinalysis as directed by veterinarians.
- Educated clients on proper care of pet and administering medication at home.
- Assisted in the preparation of laboratory specimens, including drawing blood, collecting urine samples, and taking x-rays.
- Administered vaccinations and medications as prescribed by veterinarians.
- Assisted with euthanasia procedures in a compassionate and sensitive manner.
- Provided assistance with euthanasia of animals and disposal of corpses.
- Performed hygiene-related duties, such as clipping animals' claws and cleaning and polishing teeth.
- Maintained accurate records of treatments performed on each animal patient.
- Documented physical exam findings and updated diagnosis as described by veterinarians.
Client Service Coordinator
Banfield Animal Hospital
Minnetonka, MN
01.2025 - 08.2025
- Providing a warm and friendly welcome to clients and their pets.
- Ensuring clients are comfortable, informed, and satisfied with the hospital experience.
- Educating clients about preventative care, pet health needs, and hospital services, including Optimum Wellness Plans.
- Relationship Building: Building rapport with clients and fostering positive relationships.
- Scheduling appointments, managing the appointment book, and ensuring efficient use of time.
- Coordinating the flow of clients and pets through the hospital, ensuring smooth transitions.
- Completing paperwork, entering pet information, and managing records.
- Handling billing and payments.
- Managing retail products and ensuring proper dispensing of medications.
- Performing various administrative tasks as needed.
- Assisting with pet handling and restraint when needed.
- Identifying and resolving client issues and concerns.
- Communicating effectively with the veterinary medical team and other hospital staff.
- Contributing to the overall smooth operation of the hospital.
- Training towards Vet Assistant (pet handling, pet restraint, vaccine administration, etc).
Teacher's Assistant
YMCA
Missoula, MT
08.2020 - 12.2024
- Assisted teachers with lesson plans and classroom activities, while encouraging student participation.
- Cleaned classrooms and organized instruction materials in appropriate locations.
- Developed and maintained consistent, positive relationships with children.
- Led small group activities and discussions to help promote learning.
- Day-to day care of children ages 2 months to 5 years old
- Parents communication.
- Over 150 hours development through the Montana Early Childhood Project.
Social Services Technician
Child and Family Services Department
Missoula, MT
03.2024 - 08.2024
- Transport children and families to and from visits, appointments, or placements.
- Providing oral and written reports to the Child Protection Specialists.
- Schedules and coordinates appointments and meetings
- Supervises and documents parent/child interactions during visitations
- Assists in meeting documentation requirements to assure compliance with statutory and policy requirements regarding safety, permanency and well-being.
- Filing records.
- Delivering records to the courthouse.
- Communicating between parents, foster families/placement, and Child Protection Specialists.
- Ensuring the welfare of children.
Registered Behavior Technician
Child Development Center
Missoula, MT
01.2022 - 03.2024
- Running ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) programs with children age 2-18
- Safety care training certified
- Assisting with creating program materials for clients
- Ensuring the safety and health of disabled child, surrounding children, and myself
- Maintaining a clean and safe center.
- Parent communication
- Working with team members towards a paired goal
- Maintaining an ethical work habit
Special Education Paraprofessional
Frenchtown School District
Frenchtown, MT
08.2021 - 12.2021
- Supported the implementation of modified curriculum based on IEPs and 504 Plans.
- Ensured safety of all children at all times while maintaining compliance with state regulations.
- Supported students in developing life skills, following classroom routines and managing behavior.
- Observed student performance in order to provide feedback and make recommendations for improvement.
- Collaborated with teachers, administrators, and other professionals to develop student IEPs.
- Participated in professional development activities designed to increase knowledge about best practices for working with special needs populations.
- Encouraged and explored activities to help students improve gross and fine motor skills.
- Implemented strategies to support positive behavior management in the classroom environment.
- Developed strategies to meet needs of students with variety of disabilities.
- Managed challenging behaviors using evidence-based interventions in accordance with district policies.
- Utilized specialized teaching techniques such as sensory integration activities, visual aids, and verbal prompts to assist student learning.
- Provided assistance to students during transitions between classes or activities as needed.
- Taught socially acceptable behavior, employing behavior modification or positive reinforcement techniques.
- Monitored student progress and maintained educational records.
Lead Teacher
Firefly Early Learning Center
Missoula, MT
03.2019 - 09.2020
- Followed licensing guidelines and company standards to optimize daily care of children.
- Created and maintained a positive learning environment for all students, including those with special needs.
- Running preschool classroom of 18 children ages 2-5.
- Running infant/toddler classroom of up to 12 children ages infant-2.
- Motivated and engaged students, developing skills and knowledge for academic foundation.
- Encouraged creativity and independent thought among my classes through various activities.
- Developed and maintained classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate for social and emotional development of students.
- Parent communication.
Infant Room Teacher's Assistant
Little Newtons Nest
Plymouth, MN
01.2018 - 02.2019
- Ensured the safety of all infants by following health regulations, policies and procedures.
- Assisted in creating a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment for infants.
- Provided physical care such as diapering, feeding, and dressing.
- Supported the physical and intellectual development of infants through play-based activities.
- Provided emotional support to children during challenging times or when needed.
- Helped children explore world, improve motor skills, and grow vocabulary.
- Maintained awareness and supervision of children's needs to maximize physical health and safety.
- Followed licensing guidelines and company standards to optimize daily care of children.
- Engaged families in conversation about child's education and features and benefits of programs.
- Taught developmentally appropriate skills to promote academic, social, and emotional growth.
Dog Daycare Attendant/Activities Assistant
Stone Mountain Pet Lodge
Blaine, MN
08.2017 - 01.2018
- Played with dogs individually or in groups to provide exercise and stress relief.
- Cleaned up after dogs by sweeping and mopping floors, shampooing carpets and removing pet waste from yards.
- Maintained cleanliness of kennels, runs, and play areas to ensure proper hygiene for all animals.
- Ensured health and safety of all dogs in daycare by monitoring behavior and providing appropriate playtime activities.
- Handled emergency situations calmly while following safety protocols established by the facility.
- Fed and provided water to dogs during scheduled feeding times.
- Observed dogs for signs of stress or illness, reporting issues to facility manager.
- Kept accurate records of attendance including sign-in and out times for each pet parent.
- Examined and observed animals to detect signs of illness, disease, and injury.
Assistant Store Manager
Dominos's Pizza
Arden Hills, MN
04.2017 - 08.2017
- Resolved customer complaints efficiently while maintaining excellent customer service.
- Maintained organized store environment for customer and employee health and safety.
- Directed employee tasks and time management, improving customer experiences.
- Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate staff to achieve sales targets.
- Held employees accountable and corrected issues to achieve high standards.
- Updated records related to sales, customer feedback, and inventory.
- Managed delivery drivers cash transactions.
- Overseeing shift transactions and ensuring deposits were accounted for and safely delivered to bank.
Education
No Degree -
The University of Montana
Missoula, MTHigh School Diploma -
Burnsville High School
Burnsville, MN06-2016
Associate of Science - Animal Science
St. Paul College
Saint Paul, MNSkills
- Organization
- Customer relations
- Computer software
- Communication
- Schedule/time management
- Professionalism and etiquette
- Sales proficiency
- File management
- Multitasking
- Attention to detail
- Animal handling
- Patient Advocacy
- Medical terminology
- Medical Exam assistance
- Medical Procedures
Certification
CPR
Vet Assistant Level 1
Child Safety Care
Timeline
Veterinary Assistant
Banfield Animal Hospital
08.2025 - Current
Client Service Coordinator
Banfield Animal Hospital
01.2025 - 08.2025
Social Services Technician
Child and Family Services Department
03.2024 - 08.2024
Registered Behavior Technician
Child Development Center
01.2022 - 03.2024
Special Education Paraprofessional
Frenchtown School District
08.2021 - 12.2021
Teacher's Assistant
YMCA
08.2020 - 12.2024
Lead Teacher
Firefly Early Learning Center
03.2019 - 09.2020
Infant Room Teacher's Assistant
Little Newtons Nest
01.2018 - 02.2019
Dog Daycare Attendant/Activities Assistant
Stone Mountain Pet Lodge
08.2017 - 01.2018
Assistant Store Manager
Dominos's Pizza
04.2017 - 08.2017
No Degree -
The University of Montana
High School Diploma -
Burnsville High School
Associate of Science - Animal Science
St. Paul College