Level 1 Veterinary Assistant

Dovelewis Veterinary Emergency And Specialty Hospital; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 27,483 - 30,307; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid vacation and sick time

Retirement plans

Student debt repayment assistance

Flexible Spending Account

Job summary

A veterinary hospital in Portland is seeking full-time Veterinary Assistants Level 1 for their Outpatient Services Team. The role includes tasks like assisting with animal care and triaging incoming patients. Ideal candidates will have a high school diploma and experience in animal care. The hourly wage ranges from $19.95 to $22, with opportunities for skill advancement in a supportive environment. Interested applicants must complete an application online to be considered.

Qualifications

• Genuine love of and respect for all animals.
• Valid driver's license for transporting animals.
• Understanding of animal behavior and handling.

Responsibilities

• Assist in triaging incoming patients and procedures.
• Maintain a clean and sterile work environment.
• Measure and assess patient vital signs.

Skills

Client service skills

Animal handling

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Respect for animals

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

1+ year experience in animal care

Job description

DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital is holding a hiring event for full-time Level 1 Veterinary Assistants to join our Outpatient Services Team (ER, ICU, Urgent Care). We are hiring for Swing and Overnight Shifts.

The hiring event will take place on Thursday, 4/23 with 30 minute interview timeslots beginning at 9am. We are hosting the event at our new hospital, DoveLewis South located at 1932 NW Pettygrove St, Portland OR 97209. If you are interested in joining us for the hiring event, please complete an application. The link for scheduling interview times will go live on Wednesday, 4/15.

If you are passionate about veterinary medicine and thrive in a fast-paced, high volume environment then a position as a Veterinary Assistant Level 1 (VA1) may be the perfect position for you!

About This Position

As a Veterinary Assistant Level 1 (VA1) you are responsible for providing our clients with a top‑notch experience as well as assisting veterinarians and technicians with animal restraint, triaging incoming patients, procedures, maintaining a clean and sterile work environment, stocking the hospital, measuring and assessing patient vital signs, running diagnostic lab work, providing aftercare for deceased animals, and performing surgery prep and assisting in life‑saving surgical procedures. This position builds on the skills developed as a Kennel Assistant while increasing your responsibility for client interactions, and more advanced technical skills including restraining animals for procedures, helping with lab work, and triaging and discharging patients. This is an ideal position for someone who already has some experience in the veterinary field or a high level of customer service experience and animal handling comfort in a related field such as a grooming.

Wage Range: Overnight and weekend differential pay is available for applicable shifts. $19.95-$22 hourly for Veterinary Assistant Level 1

Schedule: Swing and Overnight shifts on our Outpatient Services team

Veterinary Assistants (Level 1) work 3/4 rotating schedules with 10 hour shifts. This means you have a consistent schedule that makes planning the rest of your life easy, and you get 3 or 4 days off in a row every week! If you have other schedule needs, please feel free to reach out and start a conversation, we’re always happy to discuss options.

DoveLewis is a 24/7/365 emergency hospital with day, swing, and overnight shifts and requires the ability to work at least some of every weekend and holidays.

What are we looking for in a candidate?

• A genuine love of and respect for all animals is required, as is an appreciation of the human‑animal bond.
• A strong desire to problem solve and help others.
• Excellent client service and teamwork skills.
• Experience or education equivalent to a High School Diploma is required.
• Valid Oregon or Washington driver's license for driving the DoveLewis transport van.
• Understanding of animal behavior and knowledge of safe animal handling and transport practices.
• 1+ year experience working in animal care work such as at a veterinary clinic, kennel, or shelter is required for our Veterinary Assistant Level 1 position.
• Any suitable combination of experience or education may substitute for the above.

What you can look forward to at DoveLewis

• Advancing your emergency and critical care skillset at a teaching hospital dedicated to the growth of our employees.
• Equitable Health Benefits including
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • $0 mental health copays
  • preventative care
  • LGBTQIA-friendly providers
  • options for families
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (medical and dependent care)
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Holiday pay
• Bereavement leave, including time off when a pet family member passes away
• 403(b) retirement account with free financial advising available
• Student debt repayment assistance for all employees
• As part of a nonprofit with community‑focused services your work makes a difference to the animal‑loving community and to individual pet owners on a daily basis.

How to apply

To be considered, you must complete the online application and upload a resume. Resumes received without a completed online application will not be considered.

DoveLewis is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to workforce diversity and a drug‑free workplace. Pre‑employment drug and background screening required.