Assistant, Veterinary Programs - Bentonville, AR

bestfriends; Bentonville (AR); On-site; USD 25,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Best Friends Animal Society in Bentonville, AR is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to support medical care for animals within our lifesaving and veterinary programs. You will handle daily clinical tasks, assist veterinarians, and help ensure compassionate, high-quality care.

This full-time role includes a schedule of 5 days with 2 off, 9 am–6 pm, with potential weekend shifts, and a starting hiring range of $18.00–$19.50 per hour plus great benefits.

Qualifications

• A minimum of one year's experience working with animals providing basic veterinary care preferred.
• Interest in veterinary medicine and compassion for animals.
• Ability to work with a diverse team and maintain professionalism under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Provide basic medical care under a veterinarian's direction (medicating, vaccinating, fluids, microchipping).
• Maintain clean, disinfected work area and accurate animal records.
• Support volunteers and communicate with adopters and staff to facilitate lifesaving goals.
• Care for animals (feeding, cleaning, walking, socialization) in Lifesaving Center facilities.
• Deliver high-quality customer service and knowledge of Best Friends programs.
• Collaborate with team to follow policies and ensure timely communication and data entry.
• Maintain safe work practices and report unsafe conditions to leadership.

Skills

Animal care

Customer service

Dog handling

Communication

Organization

MS Office

Shelter software

Tools

MS Office

Shelter software

Job description

Location: Bentonville, AR

Hiring Range: This position's hiring range is anticipated to be $18.00 per hour to $19.50 per hour depending on experience, plus great benefits!

Schedule: The schedule for this full-time role will include 5 working days and 2 days off. Shift times are 9 am - 6 pm and may include weekends.

Position Summary

Veterinary Assistants support high quality medical care for animals in Best Friends lifesaving and veterinary programs. They are responsible for daily activities in the veterinary department. Veterinary assistants act with urgency to accomplish important tasks and play a direct role in achieving Best Friends Animal Society's no-kill mission and organizational success. Assistants may receive intensive assignments in a particular program, based on organizational needs.

Culture Statement and Responsibility

We believe in treating everyone with kindness and compassion, building trust through authenticity and following through on commitments. We prioritize well-being alongside our mission, fostering strong relationships through open communication and transparent feedback. Diversity and inclusion are integral to our culture, enriching team dynamics by valuing diverse perspectives. Each team member is responsible for creating an inclusive environment where all voices are respected and contributing to a workplace that embodies our shared values and commitment to progress. By consistently aligning our actions with our Guiding Principles, we strengthen our culture and ensure that our values are lived every day.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Demonstrate kindness and the Golden Rule in our everyday actions by practicing inclusion and respect for every person for the value they bring to the table. Be a role model for the spirit of authenticity, kindness and positive influence with each other, our visitors, and volunteers as well as to the animals every day. This includes listening, being present, being supportive of others and demonstrating compassion and curiosity in conflict.
• Perform basic medical care including but not limited to medicating, vaccinating, subcutaneous fluids, and microchipping under the direction of a veterinarian; have knowledge of sterile techniques, basic knowledge of surgical instruments, and knowledge of animal physiology.
• Maintain a clean and disinfected working environment, maintain controlled substances logs, accurately enter and maintain patient and client medical data.
• Support, empower and enable volunteers and foster parents with the goal of utilizing volunteers to expand Best Friends lifesaving capacity; assist with client communications including aftercare and emergency support.
• Provide basic care such as feeding, cleaning, walking, and socialization for animals temporarily housed or transported within Lifesaving Center vehicles, buildings, or facilities.
• Deliver superior customer service; communicate (or develop communications) about and maintain knowledge of Best Friends and community partner programs.
• Work collaboratively with Best Friends' team members in all areas of operations to achieve lifesaving goals; follow Best Friends policies, procedures, and task lists for daily lifesaving outcome assignments, including accurate and timely communications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping.
• Maintain a safe workplace, value, and model safe work practices, adhering to organizational safety practices and rules, and communicating to leadership about unsafe practices and conditions.

Skills and Experience

• A minimum of one year's experience working with animals providing basic veterinary care preferred, and an interest in veterinary medicine.
• Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with a conversational adoption process.
• Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle cats and dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns; basic ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs and cats.
• Strong interpersonal skills, a team player, personable, professional, and able to get along with people from different backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Resourceful, get-it-done attitude; initiative to assist in any area or process; problem solving, seeking answers independently and enthusiastically; flexibility to persist until goals are achieved.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software/animal management software, or desire to learn.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to:Routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity including, but not limited to lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.Perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of ti