Pet Clinic Veterinary Assistant - Full-Time

Animal Humane Society; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

401K with match

Adoption benefits

Job summary

Animal Humane Society is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to work closely with veterinarians and technicians to care for animals and support clinic operations. The role emphasizes anesthesia monitoring, surgical preparation, and compassionate client interactions in a busy veterinary setting.

Applicants should have 3+ years of experience, strong multitasking and communication skills, and the ability to handle a range of clinical duties including restraining animals and assisting with diagnostics.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience as a veterinary assistant, including anesthesia monitoring and surgical prep.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail, multitasking, and time-management skills.
• Comfort using computers and Microsoft products.
• The ability to communicate professionally and compassionately with clients, coworkers, and volunteers.
• Comfort working with animals with a wide range of behavioral and medical needs, including humane euthanasia.
• Emotional resilience and comfort with the emotional aspects of veterinary work.
• Reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Handle and safely restrain animals during examinations and medical procedures.
• Assist with laboratory testing, including urinalysis, ear cytology, fecal analysis, blood analysis, and preparation of send-out tests.
• Support x-rays, ultrasounds, and other diagnostic procedures.
• Assist with filling prescriptions and administering medications, vaccinations, fluids, and injections as directed.
• Obtain patient weights and temperatures, trim nails, clean ears, and perform other routine procedures.
• Prepare for surgical procedures by setting up surgical tables, opening sterile packs, and maintaining a sterile field.
• Monitor patients and vital signs during recovery from anesthesia.
• Clean, assemble, wrap, and sterilize surgical instruments and packs.
• Maintain clean, organized exam rooms, treatment areas, surgical spaces, kennels, and other clinical areas.
• Greet clients, assist with check-in and payment, and accurately enter charges and maintain patient records.
• Provide clients with basic after-care instructions and medication guidance.
• Support client phone calls and emails regarding their pets' care.
• Monitor and replenish medical and cleaning supplies throughout the clinic.

Skills

Animal care

Customer service

Communication

Detail oriented

Multitasking

Time management

Computer skills

Empathy

Job description

Description

Are you passionate about animal care and interested in building your skills in a veterinary setting? As a Veterinary Assistant, you'll work alongside veterinarians and veterinary technicians to provide compassionate care to animals while supporting the day-to-day operations of our veterinary clinics.

This hands-on role is a great fit for someone with at least three years of veterinary assistant experience, including anesthesia monitoring and surgical preparation, who enjoys working with both animals and people, can stay organized in a fast-paced environment, and wants to make a meaningful impact on pets and the people who love them.

Schedule & Attendance

This position requires reliable attendance for scheduled shifts during clinic operating hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays. Team members may occasionally be asked to work at another AHS location based on department needs or attend off-site meetings and events.

Job Duties

• Handle and safely restrain animals during examinations and medical procedures.
• Assist with laboratory testing, including urinalysis, ear cytology, fecal analysis, blood analysis, and preparation of send-out tests.
• Support x-rays, ultrasounds, and other diagnostic procedures.
• Assist with filling prescriptions and administering medications, vaccinations, fluids, and injections as directed.
• Obtain patient weights and temperatures, trim nails, clean ears, and perform other routine procedures.
• Prepare for surgical procedures by setting up surgical tables, opening sterile packs, and maintaining a sterile field.
• Monitor patients and vital signs during recovery from anesthesia.
• Clean, assemble, wrap, and sterilize surgical instruments and packs.
• Maintain clean, organized exam rooms, treatment areas, surgical spaces, kennels, and other clinical areas.
• Greet clients, assist with check-in and payment, and accurately enter charges and maintain patient records.
• Provide clients with basic after-care instructions and medication guidance.
• Support client phone calls and emails regarding their pets' care.
• Monitor and replenish medical and cleaning supplies throughout the clinic.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience as a veterinary assistant, including anesthesia monitoring and surgical prep.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail, multitasking, and time-management skills.
• Comfort using computers and Microsoft products.
• The ability to communicate professionally and compassionately with clients, coworkers, and volunteers.
• Comfort working with animals with a wide range of behavioral and medical needs, including humane euthanasia.
• Emotional resilience and comfort with the emotional aspects of veterinary work.
• Reliable transportation.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

This is an active, hands‑on position. You must be able to lift, carry, and handle animals and other items weighing up to 50 pounds independently and assist with heavier animals or items. The role also involves prolonged periods of standing and walking.

Our veterinary environment can be dirty, wet, warm, and humid and may involve exposure to unpleasant odors, chemicals, noise, zoonotic diseases, pests, bites, or scratches, and outdoor weather conditions.

Benefits

• Make a difference in the lives of animals and people
• Join a team of coworkers who love animals as much as you do
• Work-life balance
• Unique animal adoption benefits and discounts on veterinary care, pet supplies, and animal training classes
• Health insurance coverage for full‑time staff includes the following: medical, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible spending account for health care expenses and dependent care, voluntary accident insurance, and employee‑paid supplemental life, and employee‑paid accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Employer paid benefits for full‑time staff includes the following: basic life insurance, basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability
• 401K with up to 4% match for part‑time and full‑time staff
• Nine paid holidays for full‑time staff
• Paid floating holidays for part‑time and full‑time staff (up to 4 days per year based on start date)
• Paid time off for part‑time and full‑time staff (amount is based on hours worked and full time/part‑time status)
• Paid parental leave for full‑time staff

About AHS

One of the nation's leading animal welfare organizations, Animal Humane Society helps more than 23,000 animals every year. We’re transforming the way shelters care for animals and engage their communities, advancing animal welfare and creating a more humane world for animals everywhere.

Why Work Here

• Make a difference in the lives of animals and people
• Join a team of coworkers who love animals as much as you do
• Work-life balance
• Unique animal adoption benefits and discounts on veterinary care, pet supplies, and animal training classes
• Health insurance coverage for full‑time staff includes the following: medical, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible spending account for health care expenses and dependent care, voluntary accident insurance, and employee‑paid supplemental life, and employee‑paid accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Employer paid benefits for full‑time staff includes the following: basic life insurance, basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability
• 401K with up to 4% match for part‑time and full‑time staff
• Nine paid holidays for full‑time staff
• Paid floating holidays for part‑time and full‑time staff (up to 4 days per year based on start date)
• Paid time off for part‑time and full‑time staff (amount is based on hours worked and full time/part‑time status)
• Paid parental leave for full‑time staff

Our Organizational Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

As an organization dedicated to making the world a more humane and compassionate place for animals, we know that people are at the heart of all that we do. Animal Humane Society’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity is essential to our mission and shapes our culture, our work, and the services we provide.

At AHS we embrace and honor the inherent dignity and diverse experiences of our team members, volunteers, board members, partners, clients, and visitors, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, or income. Working together to instill equity and inclusivity within our organization will allow us to better serve the people and animals of Minnesota and ultimately have a positive impact on animals in our care.