Experienced Veterinary Assistant / Receptionist

Burke Veterinary Clinic; Burke (VA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Tuition support

Referral bonuses

Health insurance

Paid time off

Pet discounts

Uniform allowance

Continuing education

Job summary

Burke Veterinary Clinic is hiring an Experienced Veterinary Assistant/Receptionist. This full-time role combines front desk duties with clinical support, offering a flexible 4- or 5-day week with rotating Saturdays.

You will assist three doctors, handle client communication, and care for pets in a supportive, growth-focused team environment. The position emphasizes no nights, no on-call, no after-hours emergencies, and a strong balance between professional growth and work-life balance.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a veterinary assistant or front desk receptionist.
• Comfort with safe animal handling and restraint.
• Excellent client communication in person and by phone.
• Strong time management, multitasking, and organizational skills.
• Availability for Monday–Friday shifts and rotating Saturdays.
• Desire to grow professionally and help others grow.

Responsibilities

• Care for patients in exam room and treatment area, including exams, vaccinations, blood draws, and treatments.
• Assist doctors with exams, procedures, diagnostics, lab work, and radiographs.
• Prepare exam rooms, set up for appointments, and clean/sterilize equipment.
• Monitor hospitalized patients and provide feeding, walking, and medications.
• Fill prescriptions and manage supplies and inventory.
• Greet clients, check-in/check-out, schedule appointments, and manage daily schedule.
• Educate clients on vaccines, wellness care, and at-home instructions; support during difficult moments.

Skills

Animal handling

Front desk communication

Time management

Multitasking

Customer service

Tools

Practice management software

Job description

Who we are:

Burke Veterinary Clinic is Hiring an Experienced Veterinary Assistant/Receptionist!

Position Details

Role: Experienced Veterinary Assistant/Receptionist

Status: Full-Time

Salary: $18 - $23 per hour, based on experience

Schedule: Flexible 4 or 5-day work weeks with rotating Saturdays (Only open 2 Saturdays a month)

Benefits Highlights

Financial Rewards that Grow with You: Competitive pay, 401(k) matching, tuition support, and referral bonuses

Wellness & Peace of Mind: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with supplemental options; up to three weeks of paid parental leave; generous PTO; and employee pet discounts

Professional Growth & Recognition: Quarterly team bonuses, continuing education allowance, state veterinary technician license reimbursement, VTNE exam fee reimbursement, professional development opportunities, and uniform allowance

Lifestyle Perks You’ll Appreciate: Six paid holidays, an Employee Assistance Program, and an employee discount program

Looking for a Veterinary Assistant/Receptionist role where your skills with both patients and people get to shine, your evenings and holidays stay yours, and your team genuinely has your back?

Burke Veterinary Clinic is a three-doctor small animal practice with a well-established staff committed to exceptional patient care and outstanding customer service. We're more than a group of compassionate veterinary professionals. We're a supportive team that lives by a "better together" philosophy, and we cross-train and educate our staff so everyone can find a growth path.

As our Veterinary Assistant/Receptionist, you'll care for our patients and their people alike, moving between the exam room and the front desk. You'll do it on a schedule that respects your life outside the clinic: no nights, no on-call, no after-hours emergencies, and no holiday hours, with Saturdays shared on a rotating basis.

Why You'll Love It Here

• No nights, on-call shifts, after-hours emergencies, or holiday hours, plus rotating Saturdays so no one carries every weekend
• Flexible scheduling that supports a healthy work-life balance
• A "better together" team that cross-trains, mentors, and supports every team member
• Real room to grow your career as a Veterinary Assistant/Receptionist, because the more you know, the better off we all are
• A culture where appreciating each other is more than a motivational poster on the wall
• Birthdays, new babies, anniversaries, and other life events get celebrated, because they matter
• Occasional coffee runs, ice cream parties, and meals on us
• The chance to use your veterinary skills to make a difference in your community

What You'll Do

In the exam room and treatment area:

• Safely handle and restrain dogs and cats for exams, vaccinations, blood draws, and treatments (and yes, the occasional cat rodeo)
• Assist our three doctors and the medical team with exams, procedures, and diagnostics, including lab sample collection and processing, and radiograph positioning based on your experience and training
• Prepare exam rooms, set up for appointments and procedures, and clean and sterilize instruments and equipment
• Monitor hospitalized patients and provide feeding, walking, and medications as directed, with plenty of comfort care
• Fill prescriptions as directed by the veterinarians, and help keep supplies and inventory stocked
• Keep kennels, treatment areas, and the hospital clean, safe, and organized

At the front desk:

• Greet clients and patients warmly, and handle check-in and check-out
• Answer phones, schedule appointments, and manage the daily schedule to keep the day running smoothly
• Prepare estimates, process payments, and explain invoices clearly
• Maintain accurate medical records, update patient histories, and send appointment and vaccine reminders
• Handle prescription refill and pet food requests, take messages, and coordinate with the medical team
• Educate clients on vaccines, parasite prevention, wellness care, and at-home instructions so they feel informed and confident
• Support clients with compassion during difficult moments, including euthanasia appointments

Across the team:

• Cross-train across roles and share what you know to help teammates grow
• Contribute to a positive, supportive, team-first environment
• Responsibilities may vary based on hospital needs as well as your experience, training, certifications, credentials, and assigned responsibilities.

What You'll Bring

• Previous experience as a veterinary assistant or as a front desk receptionist, or both
• Comfort with safe animal handling and restraint
• Excellent client communication and customer service skills, in person and on the phone
• Phenomenal time management, multitasking, and organizational skills
• Experience with veterinary practice management software is a plus
• The ability to stand and move for long periods, and to lift and restrain pets of various sizes, with help as needed
• Availability for Monday–Friday shifts and rotating Saturdays
• A passion for pets and veterinary care that shines every day
• A desire to grow as a professional and encourage the growth of others
• A sense of humor. Life is short; smile while you still have teeth!

Benefits You Can't Beat

Financial Benefits

• A flexible approach to compensation that reflects your skill set and future performance
• 401(k) matching & Roth Retirement Savings Plan
• Flexible Spending Account (full-time only)
• 529 Savings Plan
• Tuition Support Program
• Referral bonus program

Wellness Benefits

• Health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision (full-time only)
• Supplemental insurance, including accident, critical illness, hospital, short- and long-term disability, legal plan, and employee, spouse, and child-dependent life insurance (full-time only)
• Up to three weeks of full pay for the birth or adoption of a child (full-time employees only; available after one year of service). In states with paid family leave programs, this benefit does not apply.
• Sick Time / Paid Time Off
• Free or discounted lab work for all employee pets
• Pet discounts on services and products
• Pet food discount program

Workplace Benefits

• Quarterly Team Rewards Bonus Program
• State veterinary technician license reimbursement
• VTNE exam fee reimbursement
• Professional development opportunities
• Continuing education allowance
• Uniform allowance

Lifestyle Benefits

• Six paid holidays (full-time only)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discount program

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values at Burke Veterinary Clinic and Vetcor. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working and learning environment for all employees. Every team member enriches our diversity by exposing us to various ways to understand and engage with the world. That's why we're committed to a workplace culture where employees are comfortable being their authentic selves, feel a complete sense of belonging, and are empowered to reach their highest potential.