Pet Care Assistant -005327

A Caring Doctor (Minnesota), P.A.; Burnsville (MN); On-site; USD 31,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Generous Retirement Plans (401(k) and Roth) with company match

Paid Time Off and Holidays

Continuing Education Allowance

Digital Exercise Therapy

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Job summary

VCA Inc. in Burnsville, Minnesota, is seeking a Pet Care Assistant to work alongside the veterinary medical team. The assistant is responsible for preparing treatment rooms, educating clients about preventive care, and ensuring the comfort of hospitalized pets. Ideal candidates will demonstrate strong communication and organizational skills and have a passion for animal care.

The role offers competitive hourly pay ranging from $15.00 to $17.47 depending on experience, with a wide array of comprehensive benefits for full-time associates.

Qualifications

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and shift attention quickly.
• Fluent in reading, writing, and speaking English.
• Demonstrates a systematic approach in organizing tasks.
• Identifies and solves problems effectively.
• Provides attentive and courteous service to clients.
• Follows instructions accurately.
• Performs basic mathematical computations.
• Confidently uses computer software.

Responsibilities

• Prepare treatment rooms and necessary medical supplies.
• Educate clients on preventive care and wellness plans.
• Hold or restrain pets during examinations.
• Assist with routine in-house laboratory tests.
• Monitor and ensure comfort of hospitalized patients.
• Maintain cleanliness of the hospital and instruments.

Skills

Multi‑tasking

Communication skills

Organizational ability

Problem‑solving skills

Client service skills

Intellectual ability

Mathematical ability

Computer skills

Job description

Pet Care Assistant

Summary of Job Purpose and Function: The Pet Care Assistant works with the veterinary medical team to provide and prepare for the best medical care of pets, ensuring a happy, welcoming, friendly and efficient environment that encourages clients to return and refer their friends and families.

Essential Responsibilities and Tasks

• Prepare the treatment room for examination of pets and all necessary medical items and supplies (e.g., vaccinations, fecal loops, slides, etc.) for the veterinarian and/or veterinary technician.
• Set up fecals, smears, and skin scrapings as allowed by state rules and regulations.
• Maintain the flow of the Cycle of Service in accordance with the position.
• Provide client education regarding preventive care, Optimum Wellness Plans, and the basic status of hospitalized pets.
• Serve as support to the Client Services Coordinator staff on an as‑needed basis.
• Hold or restrain pets during examination, treatment, or inoculation.
• Prepare routine in‑house laboratory tests (e.g., canine heartworm, feline leukemia, FIV, and canine parvovirus) as allowed by state rules and regulations.
• Monitor the comfort of hospitalized patients.
• Ensure the comfort of hospitalized patients by walking, exercising, feeding, and cleaning cages and pets (when approved by the veterinarian or veterinary technician).
• Bathe and dip pets when necessary to treat dermatological conditions (when advised by the veterinarian or veterinary technician).
• Clean the surgical suite and instruments.
• Ensure cleanliness of the hospital, including but not limited to housekeeping such as laundry, dishes, mopping, cage cleaning, trash collection and removal, and instrument cleaning as outlined by hospital protocols.
• Other job duties as assigned.

Hiring Qualifications

• Capabilities and Experience (can do)
  • Multi‑task: manages multiple tasks at one time and shifts attention quickly and accurately under distracting conditions.
  • Communication skills: reads, writes, and speaks fluent English with appropriate grammar, style, and vocabulary, and demonstrates strong written and verbal communication.
  • Organizational ability: demonstrates a systematic approach, excels at turning chaos into order.
  • Problem‑solving skills: identifies, analyzes, and solves problems, translating them into practical solutions.
  • Client service skills: consistently ensures the team provides attentive, courteous, and informative service, gaining personal satisfaction from delivering great service.
  • Intellectual ability: accurately and consistently follows instructions delivered orally, in writing, or via diagrams.
  • Mathematical ability: adds, subtracts, multiplies, divides, computes rate, ratio and percent, and converts units of measurement.
  • Computer skills: confidently uses a computer and specialized software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, etc.
• Attitudes (will do)
  • Initiative: shows willingness to find solutions to problems and presents options and ideas to enhance current processes.
  • Integrity: firmly adheres to the values and ethics of Banfield Pet Hospitals, exhibits honesty, discretion, and sound judgment.
  • Cooperativeness: willing to work with others, collaborating and compromising, and shares relevant information promptly.
  • Flexibility: open to changing situations and opportunities and performs all tasks assigned.
  • Independence: performs tasks and duties without supervision.

Pay Range

Hourly: $15.00 – $17.47. The specific rate is determined based on the candidate’s experience, skill level, and education, and may vary depending on location or applicable minimum wage laws.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Generous Retirement Plans (401(k) and Roth) with company match
• Best‑in‑Class Student Debt Relief Program (for Full‑Time DVMs)
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• Top‑Tier Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources, including free coaching and counseling sessions
• Associate Life Insurance (company‑paid) & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Company‑Paid Short‑ and Long‑Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Paid Parental Leave for birth and adoption
• Continuing Education Allowance (eligible positions)
• Back‑Up Child and Elder Care & Family Support Resources
• Fertility and Family Building Support
• Digital Exercise Therapy
• Voluntary Protection Benefits
• Legal Plan
• Identity Protection
• Commuter Benefits
• Three Free Optimum Wellness Plans for Pets
• Exclusive Discounts on products and services
• Benefits eligibility is based on employment status: Full‑time associates are eligible for all benefit programs; part‑time associates are eligible for those benefits marked with an asterisk (*).