ER/ICU Veterinary Assistant, AERA

Ethos Veterinary Health•West Caldwell, NJ

1d•$20 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Emergency & Referral Associates in West Caldwell, NJ is hiring a dedicated and enthusiastic Certified Veterinary Assistant/ Experienced Veterinary Assistant to join our Emergency team! At Animal Emergency & Referral Associates (AERA), excellence isn’t just a goal—it’s who we are. As an AAHA-accredited hospital, AERA represents the gold standard in veterinary medicine and patient care. We are proud recipients of the 2024 Neighborhood Fave award, recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Best Animal Hospitals of 2025, and honored with the dvm360 Hospital Design Merit Award for our innovative, state-of-the-art facility. In addition, AERA has been recognized as a Distinguished Kindness Workplace, reflecting our deep commitment to a supportive, respectful, and people-first culture. With comprehensive services including 24/7 emergency care, advanced anesthesia, diagnostics and radiology, internal medicine, orthopedic and soft-tissue surgery, and radiation oncology, AERA stands at the forefront of specialty and emergency veterinary medicine—where advanced clinical expertise meets genuine compassion for patients, clients, and each other. The purpose of this position is to provide support to Doctors and Veterinary Nurses so they may continue to provide excellent patient care. The Veterinary Assistant must pay attention to detail and maintain very high standards of cleanliness and care. The Veterinary Assistant must be able to communicate well with coworkers to ensure overall accuracy and satisfaction.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required
Minimum of 1 year of relevant experience as a veterinary technician or assistant
Knowledge of safety protocols and proper sanitation/sterilization practices
Understanding of commonly used veterinary medical terminology and equipment
Ability to calculate accurate medication dosages and administer injections
Strong written and verbal communication skills
English fluency (reading and speaking) required, additional languages a plus
Ability to follow directions from multiple team members and accurately execute instructions
Demonstrates initiative and anticipates the needs of veterinarians and nursing staff
Ability to remain calm, think critically, and respond appropriately in emergency situations
Professional demeanor, good hygiene, and strong client service skills with tact and empathy
Team-oriented mindset with the ability to work independently or under supervision

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with CPR and rescue breathing preferred

Responsibilities

Support veterinarians and technicians during exams, treatments, and procedures
Prepare ER/triage areas and assist with procedure setup (e.g., laceration repair, urinary obstruction cases)
Set up, break down, clean, and disinfect surgery and treatment areas
Prepare surgical packs and sterilize instruments
Safely restrain patients for exams, diagnostics, and treatments
Obtain accurate patient weights and vital signs
Perform basic phlebotomy on stable patients as directed
Provide routine patient care including walking dogs, feeding patients, changing bedding, and cleaning cages
Prepare patients for inpatient procedures
Maintain clean, dry, and comfortable patient housing in ICU, ER, Specialty, and wards
Restock and organize ICU, treatment, surgery, radiology, ultrasound, exam rooms, laboratory, and pharmacy areas
Clean and maintain hospital equipment and workspaces
Complete laundry, mopping, sweeping, and general sanitation duties
Enter accurate information into patient medical records and treatment sheets
Provide basic client instructions as directed (home care, medications, post-operative care)
Cross-train and assist other hospital departments as needed
Maintain at least one year of service in the role to be eligible for advancement