Demo

Specialty Level 1 Veterinary Assistant

DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital
Portland, OR Full Time
POSTED ON 8/31/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 9/30/2026

DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital is hiring for full-time Level 1 Veterinary Assistants to join our Veterinary Specialty Services.

If you are passionate about veterinary medicine and are driven to provide thoughtful, relationship-centered care while supporting complex cases, a position as a Specialty Veterinary Assistant Level 1 (VA1) may be the perfect fit for you.

About This Position:

As a Specialty Veterinary Assistant Level 1 (VA1) you are responsible for providing our clients with a top-notch experience as well as assisting veterinarians and technicians with animal restraint, triaging incoming patients, procedures, maintaining a clean and sterile work environment, stocking the hospital, measuring and assessing patient vital signs, running diagnostic lab work, providing aftercare for deceased animals, and performing surgery prep and assisting in life-saving surgical procedures. This position builds on the skills developed as a Kennel Assistant while increasing your responsibility for client interactions, and more advanced technical skills including restraining animals for procedures, helping with lab work, and triaging and discharging patients. This is an ideal position for someone with experience as a Veterinary Assistant who is looking to deepen their clinical skills and gain exposure to more complex cases within a specialty setting.

Wage Range: Overnight and weekend differential pay is available for applicable shifts.

$19.95-$22 hourly for Veterinary Assistant Level 1


DoveLewis is a 24/7/365 emergency hospital with day, swing, and overnight shifts and requires the ability to work at least some of every weekend and holidays.

What are we looking for in a candidate?

  • A genuine love of and respect for all animals is required, as is an appreciation of the human-animal bond.
  • A strong desire to problem solve and help others.
  • Excellent client service and teamwork skills.
  • Experience or education equivalent to a High School Diploma is required.
  • Valid Oregon or Washington driver's license for driving the DoveLewis transport van.
  • Understanding of animal behavior and knowledge of safe animal handling and transport practices.
  • 1 year experience working in a professional veterinary setting. Experience with specialty medicine preferred.
  • Any suitable combination of experience or education may substitute for the above.

What you can look forward to at DoveLewis:

  • Advancing your emergency and critical care skillset at a teaching hospital dedicated to the growth of our employees.
  • Equitable Health Benefits including
    • Medical
    • Dental
    • Vision
    • $0 mental health copays
    • preventative care
    • LGBTQIA-friendly providers
    • options for families
  • Life Insurance
  • Flexible Spending Account (medical and dependent care)
  • Paid vacation and sick time
  • Holiday pay
  • Bereavement leave, including time off when a pet family member passes away
  • 403(b) retirement account with free financial advising available
  • Student debt repayment assistance for all employees
  • As part of a nonprofit with community-focused services your work makes a difference to the animal-loving community and to individual pet owners on a daily basis.


How to apply:

To be considered, you must complete the online application and upload a resume. Resumes received without a completed online application will not be considered.

DoveLewis is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to workforce diversity and a drug-free workplace. Pre-employment drug and background screening required.

Salary : $20 - $22

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