Dermatology Veterinary Assistant

Vicar Operating, Inc. dba VCA; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

VCA Aurora Animal Hospital is seeking a motivated Veterinary Assistant to join our Dermatology Department. You will support daily patient care, assist with dermatology appointments, and help diagnose and manage skin, ear, and allergy-related conditions while expanding clinical skills in a specialty setting.

You will restrain and handle patients safely, prepare exam rooms, collect laboratory samples, maintain medical records, and communicate with clients about care instructions and follow-ups in

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of veterinary assistant experience is required.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced dermatology setting with clients and patients.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily patient care and dermatology appointments.
• Restrain and handle patients safely during examinations and procedures.
• Prepare exam rooms, treatment areas, and equipment for appointments.
• Assist with dermatology procedures (skin scrapings, ear cytology, skin testing, etc.).
• Collect and prepare laboratory samples for diagnostics.
• Maintain accurate medical records and assist with documentation.
• Communicate with clients about appointment flow and care instructions.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
• Support the Dermatology team and hospital operations.

Skills

Veterinary assistant experience

Teamwork

Communication

Animal care

Job description

Join Our Dermatology Team at VCA Aurora Animal Hospital!

VCA Aurora Animal Hospital is seeking a motivated and compassionate Veterinary Assistant to join our Dermatology Department! This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working with animals, has a passion for veterinary medicine, and is interested in developing their clinical skills within a specialty setting. Our Dermatology team works closely with clients and their pets to diagnose and manage a variety of skin, ear, and allergy-related conditions. As a member of this team, you will have the opportunity to expand your knowledge, gain hands-on experience with specialized procedures, and work alongside experienced veterinary professionals who are passionate about patient care and client education.

What You'll Do

• Assist with daily patient care and dermatology appointments.
• Restrain and handle patients safely and compassionately during examinations and procedures.
• Prepare exam rooms, treatment areas, and equipment for appointments.
• Assist with dermatology procedures, including skin scrapings, ear cytology, skin testing, and other diagnostic procedures as trained.
• Collect and prepare laboratory samples for diagnostic testing.
• Maintain accurate medical records and assist with patient documentation.
• Communicate with clients regarding appointment flow, patient care instructions, and follow-up needs.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe working environment.
• Support the overall success of the Dermatology team and hospital.

What You Bring

• Previous veterinary assistant experience required, 1+ years.
• A genuine passion for animal care and a desire to grow within the veterinary field.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• A positive attitude, willingness to learn, and attention to detail.
• Ability to safely handle and restrain animals of varying sizes and temperaments.

Why Join VCA?

At VCA, we believe in supporting the people who care for pets. You'll have opportunities to learn, grow, and build your career alongside a team committed to advancing veterinary medicine.

Total Rewards

As a VCA Associate, eligible full-time employees receive a comprehensive benefits package which may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid parental leave
• Mental wellness resources including Headspace and Lyra
• Continuing education and internal development programs

Discover Additional Benefits | VCA (vcacareers.com)

Benefits

We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!

Compensation

Compensation $18.00 - $26.00/hour Pay range is negotiable based on experience, education, skills, and credentials.

Schedule

Full-time, Monday - Thursday, 8 am - 5 pm.

Location

2600 W Galena Blvd, Aurora, IL 60506

Information

The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development).

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com.

About VCA

A leader in veterinary care, VCA Animal Hospitals is committed to taking care of the future of veterinary medicine. We are a family of hometown animal hospitals determined to positively impact pets, people and our communities. From primary care to emergency, urgent and specialty care, VCA delivers world-class medicine and hometown care to more than four million pets each year. We invest in cutting-edge tools, training and technology that enable Associates across our national network of hospitals to lead the industry today and into tomorrow. Among our talented 35,000 Associates are nearly 7,000 veterinarians – including 500 who are board-certified specialists – nearly 4,000 credentialed technicians and over 10,000 veterinary assistants – all dedicated to giving pets the very best in medical care.

Join Us

The future of veterinary medicine is in our hands. Join us.