Vet Assistant

City of Midland, Texas; Midland (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

TMRS retirement

Tuition assistance

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Credit Union

Competitive pay

Medical/Dental/Vision

PTO accrual

Paid holidays

Job summary

City of Midland, Texas seeks a Veterinary Assistant to support the medical team in a busy animal shelter. You will assist veterinarians and technicians with exams, treatments, handling, record-keeping, and maintaining a clean, safe medical area.

Responsibilities include medication administration, anesthesia monitoring, quarantine and intake procedures, basic diagnostics, and compassionate interaction with staff, adopters, and the public.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• At least 1 year of animal care or shelter experience preferred.
• Able to safely handle animals of varying sizes.
• Must lift up to 50 pounds and stand for extended periods.
• Valid Texas driver’s license preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians and techs during exams and procedures.
• Safely restrain animals for care.
• Administer meds, vaccines, and preventive care under supervision.
• Monitor anesthesia recovery and report changes.
• Maintain medical records and shelter software.
• Assist with intake exams, microchipping, deworming, vaccines.
• Assist with sample collection and basic diagnostics.
• Clean and disinfect medical areas and equipment.
• Handle storage and disposal of controlled substances.
• Provide customer service to staff, adopters, public.
• Assist with humane euthanasia as directed.
• Transport animals as needed.

Skills

Animal handling

Veterinary terminology

Illness recognition

Communication

Teamwork

Shelter software

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Shelter management software

Job description

Reports To

Supervising Veterinarian and/or Veterinary Technician

Scope of Work

The Veterinary Assistant supports the medical team in providing compassionate, efficient, and high-quality care to shelter animals. This role assists veterinarians and veterinary technicians with examinations, treatments, procedures, animal handling, record-keeping, and maintaining a clean and safe medical environment.

Essential Job Duties

• Assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians during medical exams, surgeries, and treatments.
• Safely restrain animals for medical care, including dogs, cats, and other species as needed.
• Administer oral medications, topical treatments, vaccines, and preventive care under the supervision of a veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician.
• Monitor animals recovering from anesthesia or medical procedures and promptly report changes in condition.
• Maintain accurate medical records, including updating shelter management software.
• Assist with intake exams, microchipping, deworming, and vaccinations of shelter animals.
• Perform basic diagnostic procedures such as fecal preparation, skin scrapings, and sample collection.
• Clean, disinfect, and maintain medical areas, surgical equipment, kennels, and supplies.
• Ensure proper storage, labeling, and disposal of controlled substances and medical supplies in compliance with state and federal law.
• Provide excellent customer service to staff, fosters, adopters, and the public when assisting with medical questions or animal care guidance.
• Assist with humane euthanasia procedures as directed by the veterinarian or licensed technician.
• Transport animals safely within the shelter or to outside veterinary facilities when needed.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of animal handling, behavior, and restraint techniques.
• Basic understanding of veterinary medical terminology and procedures.
• Ability to recognize signs of illness, stress, or injury in animals.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, emotionally challenging environment.
• Competence in using computers and shelter management software (training provided).

Physical and Environmental Conditions

• Knowledge of animal handling, behavior, and restraint techniques.
• Basic understanding of veterinary medical terminology and procedures.
• Ability to recognize signs of illness, stress, or injury in animals.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, emotionally challenging environment.
• Competence in using computers and shelter management software (training provided).

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• At least one (1) year of experience in animal care, veterinary, or shelter setting preferred.
• Must be able to safely handle animals of varying sizes and temperaments.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and work on feet for extended periods.
• Valid Texas driver’s license and insurable driving record preferred.

Work Environment:

• Exposure to animals, including potential bites, scratches, and zoonotic diseases.
• May be required to work weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings.
• Fast-paced environment requiring multitasking and emotional resilience.

Benefits

• 2:1 Retirement Plan with TMRS
• Educational Tuition Assistance Program
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Employer
• Midland Municipal Employee Credit Union
• Competitive pay
• Medical/Dental/Vision Plan
• PTO accrual
• Paid holidays