Emergency Veterinary Assistant - Overnights - Fort Lauderdale, FL

VEG ER for Pets; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Industry-leading compensation

Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance

401K with company match

Paid parental leave

Continued education opportunities

Flexible work schedules

Pet discount

Job summary

VEG is a rapidly growing emergency company with hospital locations across the United States. As an Emergency Veterinary Assistant, you will work side‑by‑side with credentialed veterinary technicians and veterinarians to assess, treat, monitor, and care for emergency patients from triage to discharge.

You will deliver compassionate patient care, support pet parents during challenging moments, and develop advanced emergency skills through ongoing training and mentorship in a fast-paced, 24/7

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of one year of hands-on experience in a veterinary hospital.
• Emergency/urgent care or high-volume veterinary experience preferred.
• Experience providing direct patient care rather than kennel, reception, or administrative responsibilities.
• Working knowledge of veterinary terminology, patient restraint, vital signs, sample collection, medication administration, hospitalized patient care, and infection prevention practices.
• Previous experience with venipuncture, peripheral IV catheter placement, radiology, anesthesia monitoring, emergency triage, and other emergency nursing skills is strongly preferred.
• Ability to recognize changes in a patient\'s condition and communicate concerns promptly and effectively to the veterinary team.
• Comfortable working with critically ill, injured, and emergent patients while supporting pet parents.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with veterinarians, credentialed veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, and pet parents.
• Basic computer proficiency and experience working with practice management software and electronic medical records (EMR).
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks, adapt quickly, and remain effective in a fast-paced emergency environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to learning, continuous professional development, and building advanced emergency and critical care skills.
• Flexibility to work a variety of shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, based on hospital needs.

Responsibilities

• Triage and initial assessment of emergency patients.
• Provide hands-on nursing care for patients.
• Restrain and position patients for examinations, procedures, diagnostic imaging, and treatments.
• Collect, process, and prepare blood, urine, and other diagnostic samples.
• Administer medications under veterinary direction and monitor monitoring parameters.
• Set up, monitor, maintain IV fluids and CRIs.
• Assist with anesthesia, monitoring, and emergency procedures.
• Maintain accurate patient records in the EMR and communicate with pet parents.
• Maintain infection prevention standards and care areas.
• Collaborate with the veterinary team to deliver exceptional emergency care.

Skills

Veterinary nursing

Emergency care

Animal handling

Communication skills

EMR software

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Practice management software

Radiology basics

Job description

WHO WE ARE

VEG is a rapidly growing emergency company with hospital locations across the United States. Our mission is helping people and their pets when they need it most. We are revolutionizing emergency medicine with a "customer first" mentality and a true, employee-centric work environment.

WHO WE ARE

VEG is a rapidly growing emergency company with hospital locations across the United States. Our mission is helping people and their pets when they need it most. We are revolutionizing emergency medicine with a "customer first" mentality and a true, employee-centric work environment.

TALENT + CULTURE AT VEG

At VEG, we want people and their pets to feel safe, secure, and valued; we want our employees to feel the same way. What we're aiming to achieve on the customer side is equivalent in nature to what we want for our employees: to have the best experience possible. With the highest NPS score in our industry, we're ready to ensure that VEG remains the place where the best and brightest in the emergency world not only want to work, but stay and grow. For our customers and their pets, we strive to find a way to say, "yes." We do the same and more for our teams. In fact, VEG is one of this year's nominees for INC Magazine's Best Places to Work!

WHO WE NEED

You are a passionate, motivated veterinary professional with at least two years of hands‑on clinical experience who thrives in a fast‑paced emergency environment. You don't just support patient care—you actively participate in it. As an Emergency Veterinary Assistant at VEG, you'll work side‑by‑side with credentialed veterinary technicians and veterinarians to assess, treat, monitor, and care for emergency patients throughout their entire hospital journey, from triage and stabilization through diagnostics, treatment, hospitalization, and discharge.

You take pride in delivering exceptional patient care while providing compassionate support to pet parents during some of their most challenging moments. You're eager to continue expanding your emergency and critical care knowledge, embrace new challenges, and develop advanced clinical skills through ongoing training and mentorship.

You're a collaborative team player who communicates openly and respectfully, adapts quickly as priorities shift, and remains calm under pressure. You know when to work independently, when to ask for help, and how to contribute to a positive, supportive team culture. Because our hospitals operate 24/7, you're comfortable working in a dynamic environment that requires flexibility, accountability, and a commitment to providing outstanding care whenever patients need us most.

WHAT YOU NEED

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of one year of recent hands‑on experience in a veterinary hospital required.
• Emergency, specialty, urgent care, or other high-volume veterinary experience strongly preferred.
• Experience providing direct patient care rather than primarily performing kennel, reception, or administrative responsibilities.
• Working knowledge of veterinary medical terminology, patient restraint, physical assessments, vital signs, sample collection, medication administration, hospitalized patient care, and infection prevention practices.
• Previous experience with venipuncture, peripheral IV catheter placement, radiology, anesthesia monitoring, emergency triage, and other emergency nursing skills is strongly preferred.
• Ability to recognize changes in a patient's condition and communicate concerns promptly and effectively to the veterinary team.
• Comfortable working with critically ill, injured, and emergent patients while supporting pet parents during emotionally challenging situations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with veterinarians, credentialed veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, and pet parents.
• Basic computer proficiency and experience working with practice management software and electronic medical records (EMR).
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks, adapt quickly, and remain effective in a fast‑paced emergency environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to learning, continuous professional development, and building advanced emergency and critical care skills.
• Flexibility to work a variety of shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, based on hospital needs.
• Ability to perform the physical requirements of the role, including:
• Standing and walking for extended periods of time.
• Frequently bending, kneeling, crouching, and working on the floor.
• Safely lifting up to 25 kg (55 lbs.) independently and assisting with lifting up to 40 kg (88 lbs.).
• Possessing the fine motor skills and manual dexterity necessary to safely handle patients, medications, and medical equipment.
• Ability to work in a busy hospital environment that may include loud noises, strong odors, exposure to bodily fluids, and emotionally stressful situations.
• Enrollment in or graduation from an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology program is a plus but is not required.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO DO

• Treat every patient and pet parent with the highest level of compassion, empathy, and care.
• Directly participate in the triage and initial assessment of incoming emergency patients.
• Collect vital signs, recognize changes in patient condition, and promptly communicate concerns to the veterinary team.
• Provide hands‑on nursing care for both outpatient and hospitalized patients.
• Safely restrain and position patients for examinations, procedures, diagnostic imaging, and treatments.
• Collect, process, and prepare blood, urine, and other diagnostic samples.
• Perform or assist with diagnostic procedures, including in‑house laboratory testing, point‑of‑care diagnostics, radiographs, ultrasonography, paracentesis, and other diagnostic imaging based on demonstrated competency and state law.
• Place and maintain peripheral IV catheters and perform advanced vascular access techniques—including jugular, central venous, arterial, and intraosseous catheter placement—based on demonstrated competency and state law.
• Administer subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous medications under veterinary direction while understanding appropriate monitoring parameters and potential adverse effects.
• Set up, administer, and monitor intravenous fluid therapy, including constant rate infusions (CRIs), blood transfusions, and other prescribed treatments.
• Prepare for and assist with emergency procedures, sedation, and anesthesia, including monitoring patients through anesthesia, recovery, and mechanical ventilation when applicable, based on demonstrated competency and state law.
• Perform nursing care tasks such as placing and maintaining urinary catheters, nasal oxygen tubes, and other patient support devices.
• Set up, monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot oxygen cages and other oxygen delivery systems.
• Participate in developing and implementing patient treatment, anesthesia, and nursing care plans alongside the veterinary team, as permitted by state law.
• Participate in patient rounds and communicate relevant updates to support continuity of care.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and thorough patient records within the electronic medical record (EMR).
• Communicate clearly, professionally, and compassionately with pet parents throughout their pet's emergency visit.
• Maintain treatment areas, medical equipment, and supplies while following appropriate infection prevention and biosecurity standards.
• Respond to critical and emergent patients as an active member of the CPR team and complete RECOVER Rescuer Certification through VEG-provided training.
• Work collaboratively alongside credentialed veterinary technicians, veterinarians, and the entire hospital team to deliver exceptional emergency patient care.
• Continue developing advanced emergency and critical care skills through VEG's clinical training pathways, with opportunities to grow into roles such as trainer, community outreach, coordination of care, leadership, and veterinary technician credentialing support.
• All responsibilities are based on demonstrated competency and are performed as permitted by state law.

WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE US

Because emergency is all we do, so we do it best! We also offer:

• Industry-leading compensation
• We build our hospitals from scratch. You'll be using all of the latest equipment and technology.
• Generous employee pet discount
• Referral rewards - tell your friends why they should come work for VEG too!
• Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• 401K w/ company match
• Paid parental leave - up to 10 weeks of paid leave at 100% of regular salary
• Unlimited Continuing Education opportunities - we want to help you grow in your career!
• Flexible work schedules for a true work‑life balance
• Growth potential
• Groceries sent to the hospitals weekly for the staff to enjoy, monthly and quarterly contests, quarterly hospital outings, company-wide retreats, etc!
• Lastly, because while our work is serious, we believe that it should also be fun!

VEG celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. You've found the equal opportunity employer you are looking for. We can't wait to meet you!