Compassionate Veterinary Assistant — Patient Care Specialist

Crossroads Animal Hospital.; Derry/Londonderry; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

National Veterinary Associates (NVA) is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to support the hospital team in delivering attentive care to patients and clients. The role spans appointments, treatments, hospitalized patients, and daily operations under veterinarians and technicians.

Responsibilities include assisting with patient care, monitoring, history taking, and helping with diagnostics, medications, and client interaction. The position requires physical capability and teamwork across departments.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• One or more years of veterinary experience preferred, but not required.
• Strong communication, organization, and multitasking skills.
• Able to take initiative, work collaboratively, and respond to direction from team members across the hospital.
• Comfortable handling animals that may be stressed, ill, or in pain.
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds independently and assist with lifting or restraining larger animals as part of a team.
• Able to stand or walk for extended periods and frequently bend or squat while performing job duties.

Responsibilities

• Assist with patient care, treatments, and post-surgical care as directed.
• Monitor hospitalized patients and promptly communicate changes or concerns to the supervising veterinarian or veterinary technician.
• Obtain patient histories in exam rooms and record temperature, pulse, and respiration (TPR).
• Safely handle and restrain patients during examinations, blood draws, nail trims, and other procedures.
• Assist with diagnostic procedures, including radiographs, bloodwork, and fecal testing, as directed and within the scope of the role.
• Administer medications under appropriate veterinarian or veterinary technician supervision.
• Feed, walk, and bathe patients as directed.
• Clean and sterilize surgical instruments and equipment.
• Clean and disinfect cages, kennels, exam rooms, and treatment areas.
• Stock supplies, help maintain inventory, and alert the appropriate team member when supplies are running low.
• Assist clients and their pets, answer phones as needed, and provide courteous customer service.
• Communicate clearly with team members and help prioritize tasks as patient and hospital needs change.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Multitasking

Team collaboration

Animal handling

Job description

The Veterinary Assistant supports the entire hospital team in providing attentive, efficient care to patients and clients. This role works across departments, assisting with appointments, treatments, hospitalized patients, and daily hospital operations under the direction of veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

Responsibilities

• Assist with patient care, treatments, and post-surgical care as directed.
• Monitor hospitalized patients and promptly communicate changes or concerns to the supervising veterinarian or veterinary technician.
• Obtain patient histories in exam rooms and record temperature, pulse, and respiration (TPR).
• Safely handle and restrain patients during examinations, blood draws, nail trims, and other procedures.
• Assist with diagnostic procedures, including radiographs, bloodwork, and fecal testing, as directed and within the scope of the role.
• Administer medications under appropriate veterinarian or veterinary technician supervision.
• Feed, walk, and bathe patients as directed.
• Clean and sterilize surgical instruments and equipment.
• Clean and disinfect cages, kennels, exam rooms, and treatment areas.
• Stock supplies, help maintain inventory, and alert the appropriate team member when supplies are running low.
• Assist clients and their pets, answer phones as needed, and provide courteous customer service.
• Communicate clearly with team members and help prioritize tasks as patient and hospital needs change.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• One or more years of veterinary experience preferred, but not required.
• Strong communication, organization, and multitasking skills.
• Able to take initiative, work collaboratively, and respond to direction from team members across the hospital.
• Comfortable handling animals that may be stressed, ill, or in pain.
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds independently and assist with lifting or restraining larger animals as part of a team.
• Able to stand or walk for extended periods and frequently bend or squat while performing job duties.

National Veterinary Associates (NVA) is a leading North American pet health care company with nearly 1,300 locations spanning general practice veterinary hospitals, Ethos emergency and specialty hospitals, and pet resorts and equine veterinary care. With approximately 40,000 team members, we care for pets and support pet families in communities across the United States and Canada. Our purpose is to give pets and the people who love them more quality years together, and our mission is to make care more personal, easy and accessible while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life. Across NVA, we support our teams with the resources, expertise and opportunities they need to deliver exceptional care and help shape the future of veterinary and pet care.

Purpose: Give pets and the people who love them more quality years together

Mission: Transform the pet family experience to be personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life.

Values: Care Deeply, Do What’s Right, One Team, Own It, Shape What’s Next

One NVA: Bringing General Practice & Ethos Together

NVA is built to make care personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine across every stage of a pet’s life.

At National Veterinary Associates, we want to make sure your experience connecting with us is seamless and straightforward. Here’s what to expect when interacting with us:

- We’ll always reach out via verified LinkedIn profiles or emails ending in @nva.com

- We may also contact you via text message from an identified NVA representative for recruiting-related communication

- All job opportunities and applications are hosted on our official careers site: careers.nva.com

- There is no cost or confidential information required to apply or be considered for a position

If you have any doubts about a communication, feel free to visit our careers page to verify authenticity or email us at [e-mail]. Thank you for exploring opportunities at NVA!

NVA 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. The team can provide more information about compensation and benefits for your specific location during the process. For positions based in Colorado, NVA provides eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave and public health emergency leave in accordance with the requirements of Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.

NVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.