Veterinary Assistant

Animal Rescue League Of Iowa • Des Moines, IA

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is seeking a reliable and compassionate Shelter Veterinary Assistant to support the medical care of animals in their care. This role helps provide hands-on patient care, animal handling, treatment support, medical monitoring, and daily assistance to the shelter veterinary team. This is a great opportunity for someone with professional animal-handling experience who is interested in shelter medicine and wants to make a meaningful difference for animals. Shelter Veterinary Assistants work closely with veterinarians, veterinary team members, and other team members to support the health, comfort, and recovery of shelter animals.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required, or ability to obtain one.
• At least one year of hands-on professional animal-handling experience, required.
• Comfort safely handling and caring for animals with varying medical, behavioral, and emotional needs.
• Basic understanding of animal behavior and humane handling techniques including a willingness to become Fear Free Handling certified.
• Strong communication, teamwork, and attention to detail.
• Ability to follow instructions accurately and adapt to changing priorities.
• Reliable, compassionate, and able to work in a fast-paced shelter medical environment.
• Basic computer skills, required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in an animal shelter veterinary team role, veterinary clinic medical role, or similar professional animal-care environment, preferred.
• Potential for educational support if pursuing a CVT program.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians and veterinary team members with exams, treatments, procedures, and shelter animal medical care.
• Safely handle, restrain, and care for animals of varying sizes, breeds, temperaments, and medical needs.
• Support daily medical rounds, treatment plans, medication administration, and patient monitoring, as directed.
• Prepare treatment areas, supplies, equipment, and animal housing areas for medical care.
• Monitor animals for changes in health, behavior, comfort, or recovery and communicate concerns promptly.
• Clean and disinfect equipment, kennels, treatment areas, and medical workspaces.
• Assist with basic laboratory preparation, supply stocking, and medical equipment maintenance.
• Document information accurately and follow shelter medical, safety, sanitation, and animal handling procedures.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Potential reimbursement assistance for approved Veterinary Technician/CVT education programs
• Employer-paid long-term disability and basic life insurance
• Supplemental insurances, including short-term disability, supplemental life insurance, accident, and critical illness insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with an employer contribution
• Veterinary benefits
• Work-life balance through our expansive holiday and paid time off policies

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED