Fairfax Animal Hospital - Veterinary Surgical Assistant

VetEvolve • Falls Church, VA

110d

About The Position

Fairfax Animal Hospital is seeking a Part-Time Veterinary Surgical Assistant to support our surgical and urgent care services. This role is ideal for an experienced veterinary assistant who thrives in a fast-paced clinical setting and is passionate about providing high-quality care to both patients and clients. The Surgical Assistant will work closely with veterinarians and licensed technicians during procedures and urgent care cases, ensuring efficient surgical prep, monitoring, and recovery, while also supporting the overall flow of patient care.

Requirements

• Minimum 1–2 years of veterinary assistant experience, preferably in surgical or urgent care settings
• Strong understanding of sterile technique and surgical support procedures
• Comfortable handling urgent/emergency cases with calm and confidence
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and stay organized under pressure
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and work on feet for extended periods
• Familiarity with ezyVet and SmartFlow is a plus

Responsibilities

• Assist with patient preparation for surgery, including pre-op exams, shaving, and aseptic scrub
• Set up and maintain sterile surgical fields and equipment
• Monitor patients during procedures and assist with anesthesia under supervision
• Support post-operative recovery, monitoring vitals and ensuring patient comfort
• Maintain surgical logs and proper documentation
• Support veterinarians during urgent or emergent cases
• Safely restrain and triage patients in high-pressure situations
• Communicate effectively with team members to prioritize patient care
• Ensure exam rooms and treatment areas are prepped and restocked
• Clean, sterilize, and maintain surgical instruments and equipment
• Maintain cleanliness and organization in surgical and treatment areas
• Assist with general patient care tasks as needed (e.g., blood draws, bandaging, IV catheter placement if trained)
• Communicate pre- and post-operative instructions to clients professionally
• Provide updates to clients during urgent care visits as directed
• Handle pets with compassion and professionalism, even in high-stress situations

Benefits

• Flexible schedule
• Opportunity to focus on surgical and urgent care services
• Supportive work environment
• Collaboration and continued learning

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees