Veterinary Assistant, Overnight Emergency & ICU

Ethos Veterinary Health•West Caldwell, NJ

4d•$21 - $24•Onsite

About The Position

Animal Emergency & Referral Associates (AERA) is hiring a Veterinary Assistant to support doctors and veterinary nurses in providing excellent patient care in its Emergency and ICU services. The role calls for attention to detail, high standards of cleanliness and care, and clear communication with coworkers. The position is full-time and described as overnight; the posting lists a schedule of 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. and notes overnight differentials for shifts from 11:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m. AERA is an AAHA-accredited emergency and specialty veterinary hospital in West Caldwell, New Jersey. It provides 24/7 emergency care and specialty services, including advanced anesthesia, diagnostics and radiology, internal medicine, surgery, and radiation oncology. The hospital describes its culture as compassionate, collaborative, supportive, and focused on clinical excellence, learning, and professional growth.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least one year of relevant experience as a veterinary technician or assistant.
Knowledge of safety protocols and proper sanitation and sterilization practices.
Understanding of commonly used veterinary medical terminology and equipment.
Ability to calculate accurate medication dosages and administer injections.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Fluency in English, including reading and speaking.
Ability to follow directions from multiple team members and accurately execute instructions.
Initiative and ability to anticipate the needs of veterinarians and nursing staff.
Ability to remain calm, think critically, and respond appropriately in emergencies.
Professional demeanor, good hygiene, and strong client-service skills with tact and empathy.
Team-oriented approach and ability to work independently or under supervision.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with CPR and rescue breathing.
Additional language skills.

Responsibilities

Support veterinarians and technicians during examinations, treatments, and procedures.
Prepare emergency and triage areas and assist with procedure setup, including laceration repair and urinary obstruction cases.
Set up, break down, clean, and disinfect surgery and treatment areas.
Prepare surgical packs and sterilize instruments.
Safely restrain patients for examinations, diagnostics, and treatments.
Obtain accurate patient weights and vital signs.
Perform basic phlebotomy on stable patients as directed.
Provide routine patient care, including walking dogs, feeding patients, changing bedding, and cleaning cages.
Prepare patients for inpatient procedures.
Maintain clean, dry, and comfortable patient housing in ICU, emergency, specialty, and ward areas.
Restock and organize ICU, treatment, surgery, radiology, ultrasound, examination rooms, laboratory, and pharmacy areas.
Clean and maintain hospital equipment and workspaces.
Complete laundry, mopping, sweeping, and general sanitation duties.
Enter accurate information into patient medical records and treatment sheets.
Provide basic client instructions as directed, including home care, medications, and post-operative care.
Cross-train and assist other hospital departments as needed.
Maintain at least one year of service in the role to be eligible for advancement.