Veterinary Assistant

Catskill Veterinary Services
Locations: Rock Hill, Newburgh, and Middletown, NY
Pay: $18–$24 per hour, based on experience
Job Type: Full-time and part-time opportunities available
Schedule: Day, evening/overnight, weekend, and holiday availability may be required

Job Description

Catskill Veterinary Services is looking for dependable, compassionate, and motivated Veterinary Assistants to join our growing hospital team.

We are a locally owned veterinary hospital network serving pets and families throughout the Hudson Valley. Our hospitals provide general practice, urgent care, surgery, dentistry, diagnostics, hospitalized patient care, ICU support, and advanced medical services.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys hands-on patient care, wants to grow in veterinary medicine, and is comfortable working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

Our mission is: Life Changing to Life Saving Veterinary Care. We Do More.

Position Overview

The Veterinary Assistant is an important clinical support role that helps veterinarians, licensed veterinary technicians, and the hospital team provide safe, efficient, and compassionate care to our patients.

Veterinary Assistants may help in outpatient appointments, treatment areas, urgent care, ICU, surgery, diagnostics, and hospitalized patient care depending on experience, training, and hospital needs.

The ideal candidate is reliable, detail-oriented, professional, eager to learn, and willing to help wherever needed.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities may include:

• Assisting with safe and humane animal restraint during exams, treatments, diagnostics, and procedures
• Obtaining and documenting patient histories, presenting concerns, and basic patient information as directed
• Supporting hospitalized patient care, including walking, feeding, cleaning, bedding changes, comfort care, and basic monitoring
• Observing patients and promptly communicating changes in condition to the medical team
• Assisting with laboratory sample handling, in-house testing, radiographs, imaging support, and diagnostic workflows as permitted by training, supervision, hospital policy, and applicable law
• Supporting treatment, urgent care, ICU, surgery, and procedural workflows
• Preparing patients, supplies, equipment, and treatment areas for procedures
• Assisting with surgical preparation, patient positioning, recovery support, cleaning, stocking, and room turnover
• Maintaining clean, organized, stocked, and ready-to-use exam rooms, treatment areas, ICU areas, surgical areas, kennels, wards, and shared spaces
• Accurately documenting patient care activities in the electronic medical record and electronic treatment sheets
• Supporting patient intake and discharge processes as directed
• Communicating professionally and compassionately with clients when appropriate
• Reinforcing doctor- or technician-approved care instructions
• Helping the team maintain efficient patient flow throughout the hospital
• Using downtime productively to support patient care, cleanliness, stocking, laundry, and hospital organization

Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include:

• Previous veterinary, animal care, medical, or customer service experience preferred, but not required
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
• Comfort working with dogs, cats, and other patients of varying sizes, temperaments, and medical conditions
• Willingness to learn and accept coaching
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Ability to remain calm, respectful, and professional during stressful or emotional situations
• Commitment to patient care, safety, cleanliness, and client service
• Reliability, punctuality, and strong follow-through
• Flexibility to assist across departments or locations based on hospital needs

Scope of Role

Veterinary Assistants work under the direction of veterinarians, licensed veterinary technicians, supervisors, Location Leads, and designated clinical leadership.

Veterinary Assistants must work within their training, competency, hospital policy, and legal scope of practice. Veterinary Assistants do not independently diagnose, prescribe, prognose, perform surgery, induce anesthesia, interpret diagnostic results for clients, alter treatment plans, or make independent medical decisions.

Physical Requirements

Candidates must be able to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods
• Bend, kneel, squat, reach, push, pull, and perform physically active tasks throughout the shift
• Lift up to 50 pounds independently when safe and appropriate
• Team-lift or request assistance for larger patients or unsafe handling situations
• Restrain and handle animals of varying sizes, temperaments, and medical conditions
• Work around animal waste, blood, urine, feces, saliva, vomit, bodily fluids, disinfectants, allergens, sharps, medical equipment, noise, and unpleasant odors
• Work in a fast-paced clinical setting that may include urgent, surgical, hospitalized, and emotionally sensitive cases

Compensation

Pay Range: $18–$24 per hour

Compensation is based on experience, skill level, schedule availability, reliability, ability to support multiple departments, and demonstrated clinical support skills.

Highly experienced candidates with strong urgent care, ICU, surgery, anesthesia support, or multi-department experience may be considered at a higher rate.

Why Join Catskill Veterinary Services?

At Catskill Veterinary Services, Veterinary Assistants are an important part of the medical team. This role offers the opportunity to build clinical skills, work alongside experienced veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians, and be part of a growing hospital network.

Team members may have opportunities to gain experience in:

• General practice
• Urgent care
• Surgery
• Dentistry
• ICU and hospitalized patient care
• Diagnostics and imaging
• Exotics and advanced medicine
• Multi-location hospital workflows

We are looking for dependable, compassionate, team-oriented Veterinary Assistants who are ready to help us provide exceptional care to our patients and clients.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and a brief summary of your veterinary, animal care, medical, or customer service experience.

Catskill Veterinary Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Pay: $18.00 - $24.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Continuing education credits
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Uniform allowance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $24