Pet Care Assistant

A Caring Doctor (Minnesota), P.A.; Olathe (KS); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plans with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Health savings account and flexible spending account

Paid parental leave

Continuing education allowance

Job summary

VCA Inc. in Olathe, Kansas, is seeking a Pet Care Assistant to join the veterinary medical team. The role focuses on providing exceptional medical care for pets in a friendly environment and includes responsibilities such as client education, hygiene procedures, and assisting veterinary staff.

The ideal candidate has a high school diploma and one year of experience. The position offers a dynamic work environment, where flexibility and good communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Ability to multitask under distracting conditions.
• Organizational skills with a systematic approach.
• Client-service skills requiring attentiveness and courtesy.

Responsibilities

• Prepare treatment rooms and manage supplies for procedures.
• Support client education regarding preventive care.
• Monitor the comfort of hospitalized pets.

Skills

Ability to multitask and shift attention

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Organizational ability

Strong problem-solving ability

Client-service skills

Intellectual ability

Mathematical ability

Comfortable using Microsoft Office

Education

High School Diploma preferred

Minimum 18 years for radiography duties

One year of related experience required

Job description

Job Summary

The Pet Care Assistant works with the veterinary medical team to provide and prepare the best medical care of pets in a happy, welcoming, friendly and efficient manner. The role supports client education, hygiene procedures, and assists veterinary staff during examinations, treatments, and routine laboratory tests.

Responsibilities

• Live and exemplify the Five Principles of Mars, Inc.
• Prepare the treatment room and supplies for examinations and procedures.
• Set up fecals, smears, and skin scrapings as permitted by state rules.
• Maintain flow of the cycle of service.
• Provide client education about preventive care and wellness plans.
• Support Client Services Coordinators as needed.
• Hold or restrain pets during examination, treatment, or inoculation.
• Prepare routine in‑house laboratory tests as allowed.
• Monitor comfort and care of hospitalized pets (walking, feeding, cleaning).
• Bathe and dip pets when appropriate for dermatological conditions.
• Clean surgical suite, instruments, and overall hospital cleanliness.
• Other duties as assigned.

Five Principles of Mars, Inc.

• Quality – The consumer is our boss; quality is our work, and value for money is our goal.
• Responsibility – Total responsibility for ourselves and support for others.
• Mutuality – A shared benefit endures.
• Efficiency – Use resources fully, waste nothing, do only what we can best.
• Freedom – Freedom to shape our future and profit to remain free.

Hiring Qualifications

Capabilities and Experience (can do)

• Ability to multitask and shift attention accurately under distracting conditions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Organizational ability – systematic approach, orderly, turns chaos into order.
• Strong problem‑solving ability – identify, analyze, and develop practical solutions.
• Client‑service skills – attentive, courteous, and informative.
• Intellectual ability – follow instructions orally, in writing, or diagrammatically.
• Mathematical ability – perform basic arithmetic and unit conversions.
• Computer skills – comfortable using Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, etc.

Attitudes (will do)

• Initiative – seek solutions, present options, accept additional responsibilities.
• Integrity – adhere to ethical values of Banfield.
• Cooperativeness – collaborate and share information promptly.
• Flexibility – adapt to changing situations and perform all assigned tasks.
• Independence – perform tasks without supervision as appropriate.
• Stress resilience – maintain positive outlook and composure under stress.

Special Working Conditions

• Extended computer use, confidence around pets.
• Work may exceed 40 hours per week; includes weekends and evenings.
• Manual handling of up to 50 pounds and required ambulatory skills.
• Exposure to pets that may bite or scratch; occasional exposure to anesthesia, radiation, and controlled substances.
• Reasonable accommodations available for qualified disabled applicants.

Experience, Education and Training

• High School Diploma preferred.
• Minimum 18 years old for radiography duties.
• One year of related experience required; customer service experience preferred.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement plans – 401(k) and Roth with company match.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Health savings account (HSA) and flexible spending account (FSA).
• Paid parental leave.
• Continuing education allowance for eligible positions.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Life insurance – company‑paid associate life insurance.
• Commuter benefits, identity protection, and legal plan.
• Optional voluntary protection and pet wellness plan benefits.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are a drug‑free, smoke‑free, equal opportunity employer. Banfield Pet Hospital® strongly supports the uniqueness of all individuals and promotes a work environment where diversity is embraced. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, genetic information, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. Banfield Pet Hospital complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment at every Banfield location.