Veterinary Assistant

Seattle Humane • Bellevue, WA

21d • $26 - $28

About The Position

Veterinary Assistants provide daily care for animals receiving veterinary care and assist veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians with pre-, peri-, and post-operative care, hospitalized patients, community clinic patients, cleaning, and patient care protocols. The role supports animal welfare, shelter medicine, expanded access to veterinary care, and high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter practices.

The position is full-time, non-exempt, and hourly, scheduled for 40 hours per week, generally across four 10-hour shifts. The shelter and veterinary clinic operate seven days a week, including holidays, so schedules may vary to meet coverage needs, holidays, or emergencies. Work is primarily indoors in an office or clinic, with some work in kennels or outdoors. The role involves regular communication with staff, adopters, volunteers, and clients, as well as exposure to clinical and animal-care hazards.

Requirements

• Ability to obtain a Veterinary Medication Clerk license; it can be obtained on the job.
• Familiarity with animal behavior and low-stress animal handling in a clinic or shelter environment.
• Ability to use appropriate safety equipment when handling fractious or feral animals.
• Proficiency in safe animal handling and restraint for a variety of clinic procedures and high volumes of animals.
• Ability to read, write, listen, and communicate effectively.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical operations.
• Ability to recognize personal limitations and ask for help.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to stand or sit for 10 or more hours and repeatedly lift and carry up to 30 pounds, with or without accommodation.
• Ability to bend, kneel, work on hands and knees repeatedly, and use ladders and step stools.
• Fine motor skills and adequate dexterity in the hands and fingers.
• Ability to work efficiently under stress and frequent interruptions, respond quickly to medical situations, and process information rapidly and accurately.

Responsibilities

• Independently care for hospitalized patients and animals throughout the shelter as assigned by a veterinarian.
• Fill prescriptions and administer medications, vaccinations, and other treatments.
• Place and maintain IV catheters; obtain diagnostics, including digital radiographs, phlebotomy, and in-house laboratory analyzer processing.
• Treat infectious diseases, with a focus on ringworm, upper respiratory infection, canine infectious respiratory disease, panleukopenia, and parvovirus.
• Perform animal husbandry, including cleaning, feeding, watering, medicating, and monitoring animals in the veterinary clinic.
• Assist with euthanasia and perform euthanasia if certified.
• Conduct public appointments, including gathering histories, restraining animals, administering treatments, and dispensing medications to owners.
• Support high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinics that perform surgery on 20–50 patients daily per veterinarian.
• Monitor vital signs of anesthetized patients and assist veterinarians with dental procedures, including dental radiography and scaling and polishing teeth.
• Perform venipuncture and bladder expression on anesthetized patients.
• Assist with patient movement and recovery and maintain general clinic flow.
• Restrain patients for induction and intubation and prepare patients for surgery.
• Set up and break down the clinic and surgery areas, including cleaning, stocking, wrapping packs, sterilizing instruments, doing laundry, and organizing supplies.
• Support veterinary reception as needed.
• Work with departmental volunteers and related programs, providing support and training as needed.
• Coordinate with other departments and communicate shelter animals’ medical needs effectively.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies, follow veterinarian or LVT directions, and maintain competency during CPR procedures.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with the public, Seattle Humane staff, and volunteers; represent Seattle Humane courteously.
• Follow written and verbal departmental standard operating procedures.
• Report health, behavior, safety, or security concerns to a supervisor in a timely manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision benefits, among other benefits.
• Three weeks of paid time off and 10 paid holidays.
• 403(b) with employer match.
• Annual continuing education stipend for DVMs and LVTs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed