Veterinary Assistant

Seattle Humane • Bellevue, WA

19d

About The Position

Seattle Humane is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to provide daily care for animals needing veterinary care and support veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians with surgical, hospitalized-patient, and community-clinic care. The role includes animal husbandry, medical treatments and diagnostics, support for high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter procedures, and maintaining clinic and surgery areas. The position suits someone interested in animal welfare, shelter medicine, expanding access to veterinary care, and high-volume spay/neuter practices.

This is a full-time, non-exempt hourly position scheduled for 40 hours per week, generally across four 10-hour shifts. The clinic is open seven days a week, including holidays, so schedules may vary based on coverage, holidays, or emergencies. The starting wage is $25.82–$28.02 per hour, depending on experience. The role is primarily indoors in an office or clinic setting, with some work in kennels or outdoors. Seattle Humane is an equal opportunity employer and asks candidates to demonstrate its core values of Collaboration, Compassion, Accessibility, Respect, and Adaptability.

Requirements

• Ability to obtain a Veterinary Med Clerk license; this 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 various clinic procedures; the role involves handling large volumes of animals each day.
• 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 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 requiring an acceptable degree of dexterity in the hands and fingers.
• Ability to work efficiently in stressful conditions with frequent interruptions, respond quickly to medical situations, and process information rapidly and accurately.
• Ability to work 40 hours per week, generally over four 10-hour shifts, with a schedule that may vary for coverage, holidays, or emergencies.
• Commitment to Seattle Humane’s core values: Collaboration, Compassion, Accessibility, Respect, and Adaptability.

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 and positioning, phlebotomy, and in-house lab analyzer processing.
• Provide infectious disease treatment, with a focus on ringworm, upper respiratory infection, canine infectious respiratory disease, panleukopenia, and parvovirus.
• Clean, feed, water, medicate, and monitor 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 the high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinic, which performs surgery on 20–50 patients daily per DVM.
• Monitor vital signs of anesthetized patients.
• Assist DVMs 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 clinic and surgery areas, including cleaning, stocking, pack wrapping, instrument sterilization, laundry, and organization.
• Support Vet Reception as needed.
• Work with departmental volunteers and related programs, providing support and training as needed.
• Coordinate with other departments and communicate the medical needs of shelter animals effectively.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies, follow directions from a veterinarian or LVT, and maintain competency during CPR procedures.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with the public, Seattle Humane staff, and volunteers.
• 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; additional benefits and perks are referenced in the posting.
• Three weeks of paid time off.
• Ten paid holidays.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.

What This Job Offers

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