Full-Time Veterinary Assistant

VetEvolve•Kensington, MD

22h•Onsite

About The Position

The Veterinary Assistant supports the veterinary team in providing attentive, efficient, and compassionate care to patients and their families. The role includes surgical and appointment-related duties, clinical and technical tasks, client education, and helping maintain a safe, organized hospital environment. The Veterinary Assistant contributes to high medical standards, smooth daily operations, and a positive client experience. The position involves caring for hospitalized patients; assisting with examinations, diagnostics, treatments, and surgery; preparing, monitoring, and recovering surgical patients; performing laboratory diagnostics; operating diagnostic equipment; administering prescribed medications and vaccines; and maintaining patient records, treatment plans, controlled-drug logs, and charges. The Veterinary Assistant also educates clients, supports checkout, and keeps treatment, surgical, and hospital spaces clean, stocked, and organized. Duties must comply with applicable practice acts, legal requirements, safety standards, and hospital policies.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Minimum of 3 or more years of experience as a Surgical/Appointment Veterinary Assistant preferred.
Demonstrated proficiency in anesthesia monitoring, venipuncture, laboratory procedures, radiology, and dentistry.
Basic computer literacy, including practice management software and Microsoft Office applications.
Strong communication and organizational skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
Professionalism, composure, and sound judgment in emotionally charged or high-stress situations.
Ability to multitask in a fast-paced setting while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
Compassion and commitment to exceptional patient care and client service.
Ability to work safely around cleaning chemicals, anesthetic gases, radiation, zoonotic diseases, and animal bodily fluids.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and safely handle animals up to 130 pounds.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and kneel for extended periods throughout the workday.
Professional, neat appearance consistent with hospital standards.
Ability to work a flexible schedule and be available during all hours the practice is open.

Responsibilities

Provide compassionate, professional care to patients and clients.
Communicate clearly and respectfully with clients, doctors, and team members; answer phones and route inquiries as needed.
Handle sensitive client situations with empathy and discretion, and escalate medical questions appropriately.
Provide nursing care to hospitalized patients, including IV catheter placement, medication administration, and monitoring.
Assist veterinarians with examinations, diagnostics, treatments, and surgical procedures, including restraint, preparation, and patient monitoring.
Safely restrain animals of varying sizes and temperaments using low-stress handling techniques.
Prepare, monitor, and recover surgical patients, ensuring their safety and comfort throughout care.
Administer medications and vaccines, collect laboratory samples, and perform basic laboratory tests as directed.
Perform laboratory diagnostics, including urinalysis, hematology, fecals, and cytology; document, interpret, and communicate results as appropriate.
Operate and maintain radiology and ultrasound equipment in compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
Maintain controlled-drug logs and ensure proper handling, storage, and documentation of controlled substances.
Educate clients about vaccinations, medications, treatment protocols, preventative care, products, nutrition, and follow-up recommendations.
Create, review, and enter treatment plans accurately in the medical record system.
Maintain accurate patient records; support charge entry, checkout and payment processing, and chart auditing.
Keep exam rooms, treatment areas, surgical areas, and hospital spaces clean, stocked, organized, and sterile where required.
Promote a positive workplace culture through effective communication, teamwork, and collaboration.
Perform duties in accordance with state practice acts, legal requirements, safety standards, and hospital policies.
Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, and commitment to supporting patients, clients, and hospital operations.
Perform additional duties as assigned based on hospital needs.