Experienced Veterinary Assistant

Cara Veterinary•Seattle, WA

21h•Onsite

About The Position

Fremont Animal Hospital, part of the Cara Network of Neighborhood Veterinary Practices, is seeking an experienced Veterinary Assistant in Seattle, Washington. The role supports the health and well-being of animal patients through day-to-day patient care, maintaining a clean and safe environment, and assisting with medical and client-related tasks. Work is guided by Cara Veterinary’s pillars and core competencies, with patients coming first. The Veterinary Assistant performs animal husbandry and sanitation duties, assists with diagnostics, treatments, procedures, and surgery, and supports client service and patient flow. Many clinical duties require direct veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician supervision. The role also includes educating and communicating with clients, preparing estimates and invoices, coordinating appointments and admissions, and helping create a welcoming, empathetic client experience. The assistant may help train other team members as directed by hospital leaders.

Requirements

At least one year of experience in a veterinary assistant or equivalent role.
Demonstrable animal care skills.
Effective communication skills and the ability to educate and connect with people.
Ability to advocate for patients.
Reliability and trustworthiness.
Adaptability and resilience.
Ability to remain patient, empathetic, and professional in challenging client situations.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Washington State Medical Clerk License.

Responsibilities

Clean, disinfect, manage, and care for the cat room, kennel room, indoor runs, and outdoor area; handle laundry, including isolation ward linens, and dispose of waste and sharps.
Follow cage cards and husbandry standards, including feeding, providing water, walking patients, and maintaining litter pans at the appropriate frequency.
Obtain and document patient weights, temperatures, heart rates, and respiratory rates; safely restrain animals and apply muzzles when needed.
Handle neonates and follow isolation protocols; perform nail trims and anal gland expression.
Assist with diagnostic and laboratory work, including fecal setup, SNAP tests, sample collection and preparation, venipuncture, skin scraping, radiographs, ultrasound setup, ECGs, and blood pressure readings, as applicable and under required supervision.
Perform or assist with clinical procedures under required supervision, including injections, catheterization, bandage application, suture, drain, and staple removal, enema, microchip implantation, and removal of exposed foreign bodies.
Assist with surgery and anesthesia by preparing patients, setting up procedures, assembling surgical packs, maintaining sterilization equipment, following surgical sterility protocols, monitoring anesthetized patients under immediate supervision, and maintaining suction equipment.
Use and maintain IDEXX equipment, ultrasonic cleaners, autoclaves or gas sterilizers, dental equipment, and other clinical tools; follow applicable care and documentation procedures.
Provide client service, including telephone etiquette, appointment scheduling, client and patient registration, check-in and checkout, admissions and discharges, paperwork and signatures, CareCredit applications, estimates, invoices, and non-controlled pharmaceutical dispensing when licensed.
Educate and support clients, listen empathetically, answer questions, present treatment estimates, and handle challenging interactions with patience and professionalism.
Anticipate veterinarians’ needs during appointments, procedures, and surgeries; prepare equipment, supplies, and treatment plans, assist assigned doctors with cases, and help manage patient flow.
Build relationship-based client partnerships and provide welcoming, memorable, and hospitality-minded interactions.
May assist in training other team members as directed by hospital leaders.
Obtain and maintain a Washington State Medical Clerk License.

Benefits

Medical, vision, and dental insurance premium options for full-time employees, with child, spousal, and family coverage options.
Employee Assistance Program.
Paid Time Off (PTO), up to 80 hours, plus 10 hours for a Personal Celebration Day.
Up to six paid floating holidays per calendar year.
401(k) with a 4% employer match.
Employee pet care discount for up to four personal pets.
Uniform allowance.
Professional development and continuing education reimbursement, up to $500 per year.
Quarterly incentive bonus program with potential earnings of up to $250 per quarter.
Veterinary Medical Clerk License application and renewal covered.
Regular reviews and feedback.
Flexible schedules.