What are the responsibilities and job description for the Overnight Veterinary Assistant position at Newtown Veterinary Specialists?
Newtown Veterinary Specialists is a 24/7 emergency and specialty veterinary hospital offering advanced care in oncology, surgery, internal medicine, ophthalmology, and cardiology. Our collaborative team is dedicated to providing the highest quality patient care with compassion and excellence in every case.
Position Overview
- The veterinary assistant provides support to the veterinarians and technicians in their daily tasks by cleaning and maintaining equipment, feeding, exercising and grooming patients, preparing and sanitizing surgery suites, restraining and handling patients, and clerical and administrative work. They deliver quality care for all patients and provide exceptional service.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide compassionate care to all patients
- Greet patients and their owners as they arrive and show them to an examining room, taking the patient's weight and other vital signs upon arrival
- Triage patients, perform physical exams, treatments, and administer medication as directed by the licensed veterinary technicians (LVT's).
- Calm and soothe anxious patients
- Assist doctors and technicians with the administration of medications or with patient restraint
- Perform laboratory tests and take radiographs
- Operate and maintain hospital equipment, including EKG, fluid pump, syringe pump, scales, anesthetic monitors, and machines, etc.
- Fill prescriptions, calculate and administer medications, maintain proper documentation, logging, and security of controlled drugs.
- Feed patients as prescribed by the attending doctor or as the client has requested; record appetites; recognize and report any unusual conditions or abnormal behaviors
- Communicate in a positive manner with clients and ensure that they feel comfortable leaving their pet(s)
- Educate clients about insurance, wellness, and medicinal plans
- Maintain the cleanliness of the hospital each day; clean equipment, kennels, and facilities using chemicals and supplies; ensure the safe use of chemicals; complete laundry
- Bath and care for patients who stay overnight; ensure that every animal released is clean and properly groomed prior to their release
- Adhere to the hospital's safety and wellness regulations
- Understand and carry out oral and written directions
- Maintain accurate medical records
- Show up for work regularly; full-time presence at work is essential for every shift
- Promote hospital products and services and support the organization
- Respond respectfully with urgency to directions given by Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVT).
- Perform any other duties as assigned by the Manager; may have other assigned duties if working in a specialty area (i.e., dentistry, surgery, emergency, radiology, cardiology, neurology, internal medicine, etc.)
Qualifications (Required)
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Must have at least 1 year of experience as a veterinary assistant
- Ability to restraint cats and dogs, work independently and run lab work
- Ability to work with or around sick animals, potentially hazardous materials, cleaning chemicals, gas anesthetics, zoonotic diseases, and unpleasant odors
- Depending on the functional area of assignment, tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and/or extended periods of time standing and/or walking.
- This is a strenuous job that requires a lot of lifting, cleaning, and constant motion. May involve some climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling
- Some tasks involve the periodic performance of moderately physically demanding work, usually involving lifting or carrying moderately heavy animals (up to 50 pounds)
Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)
- One or more years in an emergency veterinary setting
Schedule: Wednesday through Saturday from 8pm-6am, 2 holidays per year required
What We Offer
We care deeply about supporting our team members — professionally and personally. Benefits include:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid Parental Leave (birth, adoption, foster)
- 401(k) with discretionary contribution
- Team Member Pet Discounts
- Emotional wellbeing support — including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP
- CE stipends and career development resources
- Grant Circle — a relief fund for team members facing personal hardship
- Local hospital culture backed by national resources
At PetVet Care Centers, we're committed to a Culture of Care — for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. With more than 420 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 dedicated professionals, including 1700 veterinarians, we offer a unique blend of local leadership and national support that helps our hospitals thrive.
Our model is built on partnership, collaboration, and local medical autonomy, empowering each hospital to deliver high-quality care while benefiting from shared resources and a strong professional community. Whether you're providing care in a hospital or supporting operations behind the scenes, PetVet is a place where you can grow your career, stay connected to your purpose, and make a meaningful impact.
You care for pets. We care for you.
PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V
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