Surgical Veterinary Assistant, SAVES
About The Position
South Asheville Veterinary Emergency & Specialty in beautiful Asheville, NC is hiring a full-time Veterinary Surgical Assistant to join our outstanding Surgery team!! At South Asheville Veterinary Emergency & Specialty (SAVES) , our goal since opening in 2009 has been to practice the gold standard of medicine, perform advanced techniques, and be leaders in veterinary specialty and emergency care. Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the peaks represent the height of our love for animals, and the valleys symbolize the depth of our compassion. Together with our referring veterinary community, we combine medical knowledge, advanced technology, and kindness to deliver exceptional care—it's simply in our nature. We are seeking a full-time Veterinary Surgical Assistant to support our Surgery team. This role is ideal for experienced veterinary assistants who enjoy advanced medicine, working alongside skilled surgeons, and being deeply involved in patient care from admission through discharge.
Requirements
- Experienced Veterinary Assistant, with at least 2 years in emergency or specialty medicine
- Strong communication and client service skills
- Skilled in animal restraint and handling
- Proficient in venipuncture and peripheral catheter placement
- Knowledgeable in medication administration via multiple routes
- Accurate monitoring and recording of patient vitals (TPR, SpO₂, CO₂, BP)
- Familiar with in-house diagnostics (CBC/Chem, electrolytes, UA, iStat)
- Strong medical record-keeping skills
- Able to lift at least 35 pounds and stand for extended periods
- Willing to participate in mandatory holiday rotations
- Fluent English skills (speaking & reading) required
Nice To Haves
- Current RVT students encouraged to apply
- Multilingual skills a plus
Responsibilities
- Support surgeons by anticipating needs and assisting with advanced surgical and diagnostic procedures
- Prepare and support sophisticated diagnostics, including CT imaging and contrast studies
- Perform laboratory testing, sample collection, and processing
- Serve as a key liaison between doctors and clients by preparing estimates, providing patient updates, facilitating discharges, and supporting continuity of care
- Maintain accurate medical records, manage lab results, and assist with short-term case management
- Be part of a collaborative specialty team committed to medical excellence and compassionate care
- Surgical and sterile clip & prep of patients
- Maintaining sterile technique and surgical fields
- Identifying surgical instruments
- Draping patients and setting up instrument tables
- Assisting with CT imaging and contrast studies
Benefits
- Continuing education & professional development assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Relocation assistance available
- Generous Paid Time Off policy
- Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans
- Health Savings Account (HSA) & Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- 401(k) planning with employer matching
- Paid parental leave
- Employee discount
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Life insurance
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- And more!
- Ethos Veterinary Health offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, a 401k with employer match, and paid time off (including sick time) for all eligible employees.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
5,001-10,000 employees
