What are the responsibilities and job description for the Veterinary Assistant / Animal Care Assistant position at Animal Haven?
Overview
Join our dynamic veterinary team as a Veterinary Assistant / Animal Care Assistant and become a vital part of providing exceptional care and support to animals and pet owners alike! This energetic role offers the opportunity to work in a fast-paced, compassionate environment where your skills in animal handling, medical support, and client communication will make a real difference. Whether assisting with surgeries, caring for hospitalized animals, or managing front desk duties, you'll be at the heart of delivering outstanding veterinary care every day. This paid position is perfect for motivated individuals eager to grow their expertise in animal health and welfare.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Animal Care
- Provide daily care, feeding, watering, and monitoring of animals.
- Safely handle and restrain dogs, cats, and other animals as directed.
- Monitor animals for changes in behavior, appetite, attitude, elimination, or overall condition and promptly report concerns to the appropriate team member.
- Maintain clean, comfortable, and sanitary housing areas.
- Walk, exercise, and provide enrichment to animals as appropriate.
- Assist with nail trims, and other basic animal care duties as assigned.
- Follow individualized feeding, medication, and care instructions.
- Assist with patient comfort and safe movement throughout the facility.
Veterinary Support
- Assist veterinary technicians and veterinarians with patient preparation and restraint.
- Assist with giving Vaccines and other injectable medications
- Prepare and clean examination rooms and treatment areas.
- Assist with stocking supplies and maintaining organized treatment areas.
- Clean and disinfect kennels, cages, equipment, treatment areas, and common areas according to hospital protocols.
- Assist with laundry, dishes, waste disposal, and general facility maintenance.
- Follow all safety, sanitation, and infection-control procedures.
Client and Team Support
- Provide friendly and professional customer service to clients when appropriate.
- Communicating animal care concerns promptly and accurately to veterinary staff.
- Work cooperatively with veterinarians, veterinary technicians, receptionists, kennel staff, and other team members.
- Maintain patient confidentiality and follow hospital policies and procedures.
- Demonstrate professionalism, dependability, and a positive attitude.
Qualifications
- Previous experience working with animals is preferred but not required.
- Must be comfortable handling dogs and cats of various sizes, temperaments, and activity levels.
- Ability to safely lift and carry animals and supplies.
- Ability to work in an environment involving animal hair, odors, bodily fluids, cleaning chemicals, and noise.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
- Reliable attendance and punctuality.
- Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a team.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills.
- Willingness to learn veterinary and animal-care procedures.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
- Ability to bend, squat, kneel, and reach.
- Ability to safely lift and carry animals and supplies.
- Ability to perform repetitive cleaning and animal-care tasks.
- Ability to safely work around animals that may be fearful, stressed, or reactive.
Preferred Skills
- Previous veterinary clinic, boarding facility, shelter, grooming, kennel, or animal-care experience.
- Basic knowledge of animal behavior and safe animal handling.
- Experience working with medical records or veterinary software.
- Veterinary assistant or veterinary technician education is a plus.
Core Expectations
The Veterinary Assistant/Animal Care Assistant is expected to:
- Put animal safety and welfare first.
- Treat every animal with compassion and respect.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and organized environment.
- Communicate concerns promptly.
- Follow established protocols and instructions.
- Demonstrate reliability and teamwork.
- Maintain a professional and positive attitude.
Embark on a rewarding career where your dedication to animal welfare makes a meaningful impact! We are committed to supporting your professional growth through ongoing training opportunities while fostering a positive work environment that values compassion, teamwork, and excellence.
Pay: $14.00 - $19.00 per hour
Expected hours: 32.0 – 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $14 - $19