Certified Veterinary Assistant

NVA General Practice; Fresno (CA); On-site; USD 23,419 - 26,174; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Vision, Dental insurance

401(k)

Health Savings Account

Paid time off

Employee discounts

Uniform Allowance

Job summary

NVA General Practice in Fresno, CA is seeking a dedicated Veterinary Assistant for a full-time, in-person role. You will work closely with veterinarians and staff to provide high-quality patient care across exams, treatments, and procedures.

Responsibilities include assisting during exams, preparing medications and vaccines, dental cleanings, anesthesia, radiographs, anesthesia monitoring, lab tests, first aid, sample handling, sterilization, and returning equipment to the team.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills in a fast-paced clinical setting.
• Ability to effectively handle and control aggressive animals.
• Capable of maintaining professionalism with staff and clients.
• Active listening and strong problem-solving abilities.
• Good time management and sound judgment in emergencies.
• Willingness to pursue ongoing educational development.

Responsibilities

• Assist the veterinarian during examinations, providing restraint as needed.
• Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, and treatments.
• Perform routine dental cleanings under the veterinarian's direction.
• Administer anesthesia and monitor patient responses.
• Obtain radiographs with proper positioning techniques.
• Care for animals recovering from surgery and monitor their condition.
• Perform laboratory tests (blood, urine, feces) to aid diagnosis.
• Provide emergency first aid and life-saving procedures when needed.
• Collect, prepare, and label samples for testing or culture.
• Clean and sterilize instruments and equipment.
• Prepare animals for surgery and assist with perioperative tasks.
• Maintain clean examination rooms and treatment areas.
• Collaborate with veterinarians to ensure efficient patient flow.

Skills

Excellent communication

Handle aggressive animals

Professional demeanor

Active listening

Critical thinking

Time management

Judgment and decision making

Job description

VETERINARY ASSISTANT - Full time - Starting times vary.

Shifts Are

• 9am - 6pm
• 11am - 8pm
• 12pm - 9pm

Saturdays and Sundays are non negotiable (Assistants work rotating Saturdays and 4 -5 Sundays a year).

Job Summary

In addition to the responsibilities outlined below, the Veterinary Technician is an invaluable member of the hospital team who works directly with the Veterinarian and supporting medical staff to ensure productive and quality veterinary care at all times.

Job Responsibilities

• Assists the veterinarian during examination of animals, providing restraint as needed in order to work safely and effectively.
• Prepares and administer medications, vaccines, serums, and treatments, as prescribed by the veterinarian.
• Performs routine dental cleanings on animals under the direction of the veterinarian.
• Administers anesthesia to animals under the direction of the veterinarian and monitors animals’ responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
• Obtains radiographs of animals with knowledge of proper positioning and techniques.
• Cares for and monitors the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
• Performs laboratory tests on blood, urine, and feces, such as urinalyses and blood counts, to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.
• Administers emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life‑saving procedures.
• Collects, prepares, and labels samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.
• Cleans and sterilizes instruments, equipment, and materials.
• Provides the veterinarian with the correct equipment and instruments, as needed.
• Fills prescriptions, measuring medications and labeling containers.
• Prepares animals for surgery, performing such tasks as shaving surgical areas and placing IV catheters.
• Maintains clean examination rooms and treatment areas.
• Works collaboratively with veterinarians to ensure that all animals are being cared for properly and moving through the system efficiently.

Skills And Basic Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively and efficiently in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to effectively handle and control aggressive animals.
• Must be able to handle the physical and emotional aspect of work in a veterinary clinic environment, including the use of euthanasia.
• Models a professional and courteous manner with staff and clients.
• Commitment to ongoing educational development and growth.
• Must have active listening, critical thinking, complex problem solving, time management, judgment and decision making skills.

Job Type

Full-time

Experience

• Veterinary experience: 1 year (Required)
• Veterinary assistant: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location

In person

Compensation

• Base salary 17.00 hr - 19.00 hr DOE
• Medical, Vision, Dental insurance
• 401(k)
• Health Savings Account
• Paid time off
• Employee discounts
• Uniform Allowance