Clinic Veterinary Assistant

Animal-Rescue-League-of-Iow; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Veterinary benefits

Paid time off

Sign-on bonus

Job summary

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is seeking a Clinic Veterinary Assistant to support medical services and patient care in our ARL Afford-a-Care Pet Clinics in Des Moines. This role offers hands-on animal care, animal handling, and collaboration with veterinarians to deliver affordable quality care.

We provide on-the-job training, a sign-on bonus for eligible new hires, and a generous benefits package including health insurance, retirement options, and paid time off.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required, or ability to obtain one.
• At least one year of hands-on professional animal-handling experience required.
• Experience in a veterinary clinic or animal shelter environment preferred.
• Willingness to become Fear Free Handling certified.
• Strong communication, teamwork, and customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians and team with exams, treatments, and patient care.
• Safely handle and care for dogs and cats of varying sizes and needs.
• Prepare exam rooms, treatment areas, supplies, and equipment.
• Support patient comfort, recovery, and monitoring as directed by staff.
• Assist with basic laboratory prep, stocking, and equipment maintenance.
• Clean and disinfect equipment, rooms, kennels, and workspaces.
• Provide friendly, professional client support and reinforce care instructions.
• Document information accurately and follow safety procedures.

Skills

Animal handling

Communication

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Computer skills

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Clinic Veterinary Assistant

Full Time Technical Des Moines, IA, US

7 days ago Requisition ID: 1393

Clinic Veterinary Assistant

Be part of the team behind quality, affordable veterinary care.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is seeking a reliable and compassionate Clinic Veterinary Assistant to support the medical services and mission of our ARL Afford-a-Care Pet Clinics. This role helps provide hands‑on patient care, animal handling, treatment support, client communication, and daily assistance to the clinic veterinary team.

This is a great opportunity for someone with professional animal‑handling experience who is interested in veterinary medicine and wants to make a meaningful difference for pets and the people who love them. Clinic Veterinary Assistants work closely with veterinarians, veterinary team members, and client relations team members to support high‑quality, affordable care in a fast‑paced clinic environment.

Eligible new hires may receive a $250 sign‑on bonus. Terms and conditions apply.

Schedule

We are currently open to both full‑time and part‑time candidates with opportunities Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., with rotating half‑day Saturdays.

Full‑time:

40 hours per week

Schedules are typically Monday through Friday.

Schedule may include weekdays and rotating half‑day Saturdays based on clinic needs

Part‑time:

Up to 31 hours per week

Hours may vary based on availability and department needs

Schedule may include weekdays and rotating half‑day Saturdays based on clinic needs

About the ARL Afford‑a‑Care Pet Clinics

The ARL Afford‑a‑Care Pet Clinics are part of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Iowa’s largest non‑profit animal welfare organization. Through the clinics, the ARL extends its mission into the community by helping pet owners access trusted, affordable veterinary care for the animals they love.

There are two clinic locations that provide pets with quality, affordable, compassionate care. Services include preventative care, on‑site blood work, radiographs, surgery, and other essential veterinary services at a more affordable rate to help pets stay in loving homes.

What You’ll Do

• Assist veterinarians and veterinary team members with exams, treatments, procedures, and patient care.
• Safely handle, restrain, and care for dogs and cats of varying sizes, breeds, temperaments, and medical needs.
• Prepare exam rooms, treatment areas, supplies, equipment, and patient areas for medical care.
• Support patient comfort, recovery, and monitoring as directed by veterinary staff.
• Assist with basic laboratory preparation, supply stocking, and medical equipment maintenance.
• Clean and disinfect equipment, exam rooms, treatment areas, kennels, and medical workspaces.
• Provide friendly, professional support to clients and reinforce basic care instructions as directed by the veterinary team.
• Document information accurately and follow clinic medical, safety, sanitation, and animal handling procedures.

What We’re Looking For

• High school diploma or GED required, or ability to obtain one.
• At least one year of hands‑on professional animal‑handing experience required.
• Experience in a veterinary clinic medical role, animal shelter veterinary team role, or similar professional animal‑care environment preferred.
• Comfort safely handling and caring for dogs and cats with varying medical, behavioral, and emotional needs.
• Basic understanding of animal behavior and humane handling techniques, including a willingness to become Fear Free Handling certified.
• Strong communication, teamwork, customer service, and attention to detail.
• Ability to follow instructions accurately and adapt to changing priorities.
• Reliable, compassionate, and able to work in a fast‑paced clinic environment.
• Basic computer skills required.
• No formal veterinary education or certification required; on‑the‑job training is provided, with potential educational support for employees pursuing an approved CVT program.

Benefits for Full‑Time Employees

The ARL is proud to offer competitive, market‑driven compensation and a mission‑focused culture. In addition, a variety of benefits are available to full‑time employees including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Potential reimbursement assistance for approved Veterinary Technician/CVT education programs
• Employer‑paid long‑term disability and basic life insurance
• Supplemental insurances, including short‑term disability, supplemental life insurance, accident, and critical illness insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with an employer contribution
• Veterinary benefits
• Work‑life balance through our expansive holiday and paid time off policies

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

This position works in an active veterinary clinic environment and may require frequent standing, walking, bending, lifting, cleaning, safely handling animals, and assisting with medical procedures. Candidates must be able to frequently lift up to 50 pounds.

The role may involve exposure to animal odors, animal waste, moderate noise, contagious or zoonotic diseases, cleaning products, and the possibility of bites or scratches while following established safety procedures. This role may also involve working with animals who are nervous, painful, recovering from procedures, or in need of medical support.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Why Join the ARL?

As a Clinic Veterinary Assistant, your work helps pets receive trusted, affordable veterinary care while supporting the people who love them. From assisting with appointments and treatments to supporting patient comfort and recovery, your work helps create positive experiences and better outcomes for pets and clients.

If you are reliable, compassionate, and interested in clinic veterinary medicine or a hybrid role between clinic and shelter medicine and hands‑on animal care, we would love to have you join our team.

Employment in this position is at‑will, meaning either the employee or the ARL may end the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, as permitted by law.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state law. Applicants and employees are encouraged to discuss potential accommodations as needed.