Fairfax Animal Hospital - Veterinary Surgical Assistant

VetEvolve; Falls Church (VA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Fairfax Animal Hospital is seeking a Part-Time Veterinary Surgical Assistant to support our surgical and urgent care services. This role suits an experienced veterinary assistant who thrives in a fast‑paced clinical setting and is passionate about high‑quality care for patients and clients.

The Surgical Assistant will work closely with veterinarians and licensed technicians during procedures and urgent care cases, ensuring efficient prep, monitoring, and recovery, while supporting overall

Qualifications

• Minimum 1–2 years of veterinary assistant experience, preferably in surgical or urgent care settings.
• Strong understanding of sterile technique and surgical support procedures.
• Comfortable handling urgent/emergency cases with calm and confidence.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and stay organized under pressure.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and work on feet for extended periods.
• Familiarity with ezyVet and SmartFlow is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Surgical & Procedural Support: Assist with patient preparation for surgery, aseptic scrub, set up sterile fields, monitor during procedures and assist with anesthesia under supervision, support post‑operative recovery and maintain logs.
• Urgent Care Assistance: Support veterinarians during urgent or emergent cases, restrain and triage patients, communicate with team to prioritize care, restock exam rooms.
• Hospital Operations: Clean, sterilize, maintain instruments, ensure cleanliness of surgical areas, assist with blood draws, bandaging, IV placement if trained.
• Client Communication & Support: Convey pre‑ and post‑operative instructions to clients, provide updates during urgent visits, handle pets with compassion.

Skills

Veterinary assistant experience

Sterile technique

Multitasking under pressure

Communication skills

Tools

ezyVet

SmartFlow

Job description

Who is VetEvolve?

VetEvolve is a network of veterinary practices built to support the people delivering care and the practices they lead. We combine clinical insight with operational strength to give our teams the support, tools, and structure they need to thrive, without losing what makes each practice unique. We are intentionally focused on growth, not as an end in itself, but as a way to strengthen our practices, expand access to care, and create more opportunities for our teams.

Guided by our values: Care First. Better Together. Grow Forward. Own It. We create an environment where veterinary professionals can do their best work, build meaningful careers, and deliver exceptional care. Growth with intention. Care without compromise.

Position Summary

Fairfax Animal Hospital is seeking a Part-Time Veterinary Surgical Assistant to support our surgical and urgent care services. This role is ideal for an experienced veterinary assistant who thrives in a fast‑paced clinical setting and is passionate about providing high‑quality care to both patients and clients.

The Surgical Assistant will work closely with veterinarians and licensed technicians during procedures and urgent care cases, ensuring efficient surgical prep, monitoring, and recovery, while also supporting the overall flow of patient care.

Key Responsibilities

Surgical & Procedural Support

• Assist with patient preparation for surgery, including pre‑op exams, shaving, and aseptic scrub

• Set up and maintain sterile surgical fields and equipment

• Monitor patients during procedures and assist with anesthesia under supervision

• Support post‑operative recovery, monitoring vitals and ensuring patient comfort

• Maintain surgical logs and proper documentation

Urgent Care Assistance

• Support veterinarians during urgent or emergent cases

• Safely restrain and triage patients in high‑pressure situations

• Communicate effectively with team members to prioritize patient care

• Ensure exam rooms and treatment areas are prepped and restocked

Hospital Operations

• Clean, sterilize, and maintain surgical instruments and equipment

• Maintain cleanliness and organization in surgical and treatment areas

• Assist with general patient care tasks as needed (e.g., blood draws, bandaging, IV catheter placement if trained)

Client Communication & Support

• Communicate pre‑ and post‑operative instructions to clients professionally

• Provide updates to clients during urgent care visits as directed

• Handle pets with compassion and professionalism, even in high‑stress situations

Qualifications

• Minimum 1–2 years of veterinary assistant experience , preferably in surgical or urgent care settings

• Strong understanding of sterile technique and surgical support procedures

• Comfortable handling urgent/emergency cases with calm and confidence

• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and stay organized under pressure

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and work on feet for extended periods

• Familiarity with ezyVet and SmartFlow is a plus

Why Join Fairfax?

At Fairfax Animal Hospital, you’ll join a dedicated and compassionate team committed to excellent patient care. We value collaboration, continued learning, and a supportive work environment. This part‑time role is a great opportunity for experienced veterinary professionals looking to focus on surgical and urgent care services in a flexible schedule.

Ready to Learn More?

We look forward to learning about your unique priorities and goals and working together with our local hospital teams to support you.