Kennel Assistant - Portland, OR

Vetcor; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 22,730; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Health insurance (medical, dental, vision)

Tuition support program (full-time only)

Paid time off

Employee assistance program

Job summary

A veterinary facility in Portland, Oregon is seeking a full-time Veterinary Kennel Assistant to provide care and comfort to pets. Responsibilities include maintaining cleanliness, assisting with treatments, and ensuring a hygienic environment. Candidates should have a passion for animals, strong communication skills, and a High School Diploma. This entry-level position offers competitive financial, wellness, and lifestyle benefits including health insurance, tuition support, and discount programs for employees' pets.

Qualifications

• Strong punctuality and attendance.
• Professional appearance and demeanor.
• Must be 18 years or older.

Responsibilities

• Provide comfort and hygiene for patients during treatment.
• Ensure cleanliness of all hospital areas.
• Restock supplies and maintain general facility cleanliness.
• Assist with instrument cleaning and sterilization.
• Learn safe animal restraint techniques.

Skills

Ability to prioritize tasks

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Empathy for animals and their owners

Physical ability to lift 25 lbs

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Position Details

Role: Veterinary Kennel Assistant
Status: Full-time
Salary: $16.50 per hour
Schedule: Monday–Friday 1:00p–7:00p (some flexibility)

Vista Pet Hospital is Hiring a Veterinary Kennel Assistant!

Vista Pet Hospital is a fast-paced, three-doctor practice committed to providing exceptional care for pets and their families. We are seeking a friendly, motivated, and driven Veterinary Kennel Assistant to join our team. This is a full-time, entry level position with a set schedule of Monday–Friday 1:00p–7:00p.

If you love animals but haven’t worked in veterinary medicine before, this could be the foot in the door for you!

Key Responsibilities

• Provide patient comfort in a hygienic environment during treatment and hospitalization, including cleaning kennels, laundry, and other areas, while coming into contact with urine, feces, and other animal bodily fluids.
• Ensure the cleanliness of all hospital areas, including treatment rooms, kennels, surgical and dental suites, restrooms, exam rooms, and break areas.
• Restock supplies, maintain laundry, unpack orders, and maintain general facility cleanliness.
• Assist with instrument cleaning, folding, wrapping, and sterilization following aseptic techniques.
• Learn safe and humane animal restraint techniques for diagnostic procedures, sample collection, medical and surgical procedures.
• Prepare remains for cremation including creating paw prints as needed.
• Maintain external hospital cleanliness (parking lot, sidewalks) and perform seasonal tasks such as shoveling and salting.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Ability to prioritize and efficiently complete multiple tasks within set timeframes with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent punctuality and attendance.
• Passion for animals and empathy for their owners.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Professional appearance and demeanor and a positive attitude.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Physically able to lift over 25 lbs and stand for extended periods.
• Must be 18 years or older.
• Previous experience in a veterinary hospital preferred but not required.

What We Offer

• Financial Benefits: A flexible approach to compensation that will reflect your skillset and future performance; 401(k) matching & Roth Retirement Savings Plan; Flexible Spending Account (full-time only); 529 Savings Plan; Tuition Support Program (full-time only); Referral bonus program.

• Wellness Benefits: Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision) (full-time only); Supplemental insurance (accident, critical illness, hospital, disability, life insurance for employee, spouse, and child); paid parental leave benefits for birth or adoption (full-time only); Sick Time / Paid Time Off; free/discounted lab work for employee pets; pet discounts on services and products; pet food discounts.

• Workplace Benefits: Quarterly Team Rewards Bonus Program; Professional development opportunities; Continuing education allowance; Uniform allowance.

• Lifestyle Benefits: Six paid holidays (full-time only); Employee Assistance Program; Employee discount program.

Join Our Team

Think you're the Kennel Assistant we're looking for? Apply today!

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion

Vista Pet Hospital and VetCor are committed to building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment where all employees can be their authentic selves, feel a complete sense of belonging, and are empowered to reach their highest potential.