Veterinary Assistant

National Veterinary Associates; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 23,419 - 28,929; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Insurance

Short- & Long-Term Disability

401(k)

Paid Vacation for Full-Time Employees

Paid Holidays for Full-Time Employees

Employee Pet Discount

Hospital-provided uniforms

Continued learning and growth

Job summary

Southwest Veterinary Hospital is seeking an experienced Veterinary Assistant to join a two-doctor, full-service canine and feline hospital. You will work with veterinarians and RVTs to deliver exceptional patient care, assist in appointments and surgery, and help educate clients.

The role emphasizes compassionate, patient-focused care and a commitment to growing professionally within a supportive team and collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of experience as a Veterinary Assistant in a small animal veterinary hospital.
• Excellent communication and client service skills.
• Ability to safely restrain canine and feline patients.
• Strong attention to detail and reliability.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians and RVTs in appointments and surgeries.
• Provide patient nursing and client education to support care.
• Help ensure hospital runs efficiently and professionally.
• Grow skills alongside a collaborative medical team.

Skills

Two years experience

Client communication

Canine & feline restraint

Detail oriented

Team collaboration

Job description

Veterinary Assistant – Minimum 2 Years Experience

Join the Team at Southwest Veterinary Hospital!

Southwest Veterinary Hospital is building an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative team—and we want YOU to join us!

About Us

We are a two-doctor, full-service canine and feline hospital that has proudly served our community since 1938. At Southwest Veterinary Hospital, we combine compassionate medicine with modern technology to provide exceptional care for our patients while creating a workplace where our team members can thrive.

Our Veterinary Assistants are an essential part of our medical team. Working alongside our veterinarians and Registered Veterinary Technicians, our assistants help deliver exceptional patient care while ensuring our hospital runs efficiently. From appointments and surgery to patient nursing and client education, you'll have the opportunity to fully utilize your skills while continuing to grow professionally.

We're looking for an experienced Veterinary Assistant who is compassionate, dependable, eager to learn, and committed to providing outstanding care for our patients and exceptional service for our clients.

Why Choose Southwest Veterinary Hospital?

Safe & Quality Medicine

Our team stays educated and utilizes the most up-to-date techniques and recommendations to provide exceptional patient care. We are committed to practicing high-quality medicine while maintaining a safe environment for both our patients and our staff.

Continue Growing Your Skills

We encourage our Veterinary Assistants to continue expanding their knowledge and experience. You'll work alongside an experienced medical team and have opportunities to develop your technical skills while contributing to exceptional patient care every day.

Friendly & Inclusive Culture

We know great medicine starts with a great team. Our culture is built on mutual respect, kindness, accountability, and teamwork. We celebrate our successes together, support one another through the challenging days, and continually strive to make Southwest Veterinary Hospital an exceptional place to work.

We Like to Have Fun!

Veterinary medicine can be challenging, but we believe enjoying where you work is just as important. We work hard, support one another, celebrate milestones, and genuinely enjoy spending our days together.

Work-Life Balance

We believe quality work-life balance is essential to providing exceptional patient care. We strive to provide consistent scheduling and are happy to discuss a schedule that works well for both you and our hospital.

About You

Experienced Veterinary Assistant

Requirements:

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience as a Veterinary Assistant in a small animal veterinary hospital
• Working knowledge of veterinary terminology and hospital workflow
• Ability to safely restrain canine and feline patients
• Excellent communication and client service skills
• Positive attitude and team-oriented mindset
• Compassionate, patient-focused approach to veterinary medicine
• Ability to remain calm, organized, and efficient in a fast-paced environment
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to patient care
• Dependable with excellent attendance and reliability

Clinical Skills

Experience with the following is preferred:

• Patient restraint and handling
• Patient assessment and obtaining vital signs
• Venipuncture and blood sample collection
• Laboratory sample collection and in-house diagnostics
• Digital radiography and radiation safety
• Anesthesia preparation, monitoring, and recovery
• Surgical preparation and sterile technique
• Routine dental prophylaxis assistance
• Hospitalized patient care and nursing
• Medication administration
• Filling prescriptions and pharmacy support
• Accurate medical record documentation
• Client education and discharge instructions

What Makes You Successful

You're someone who:

• Takes initiative and enjoys staying busy
• Works well in a collaborative team environment
• Communicates professionally with clients and coworkers
• Is eager to continue learning and developing new skills
• Takes pride in providing exceptional patient care
• Understands that every team member contributes to the success of the hospital

Schedule

Our hospital is currently open:

• Monday–Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

As our hospital continues to grow, we look forward to expanding our hours and services. We'd love to discuss a schedule that works well for you.

Compensation

We believe each team member should be compensated based on their knowledge, skills, experience, and the value they bring to our hospital.

Expected pay range: $17.00–$21.00 per hour

• Life Insurance
• Short- & Long-Term Disability
• 401(k)
• Paid Vacation for Full-Time Employees
• Paid Holidays for Full-Time Employees
• Employee Pet Discount
• Hospital-provided uniforms
• Opportunities for continued learning and professional growth

Ready to Join Our Team?

If you're an experienced Veterinary Assistant looking to join a supportive team that values quality medicine, collaboration, and professional growth, we'd love to hear from you.

NVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.