Veterinary Assistant

East Ridge Animal Hospital; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Time

Parental Leave

CE Allowance

Tuition Reimbursement

Referral Bonus

Pet Discounts

Uniform Allowance

Job summary

East Ridge Animal Hospital in East Ridge, Tennessee is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to join a compassionate, fast-paced team. You will assist with animal restraint, triage, patient care from intake to recovery, collect lab samples, support diagnostic imaging, and communicate clearly with pet owners.

Qualifications include at least 1 year of veterinary experience, reliable teamwork, and a willingness to learn.

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of veterinary experience is required.
• Strong communication skills with a focus on excellent client service.
• Reliable, positive team player with a strong work ethic.
• Ability to accurately interpret medical records and capture patient history.
• Open to feedback and committed to team efficiency.
• Comfortable assisting with radiographs.
• Self-motivated and eager to keep learning and growing.
• This position requires some Receptionist shifts.

Responsibilities

• Assist with animal restraint, triage, and patient care
• Collect lab samples and support diagnostic imaging
• Provide nursing care for hospitalized patients
• Administer medications and assist in surgery and anesthesia
• Communicate clearly and compassionately with pet owners

Skills

Communication

Team player

Reliability

Self-motivation

Job description

East Ridge Animal Hospital is located in East Ridge, Tennessee. At East Ridge Animal Hospital, we provide loving health care to your small animal and exotic pets. We want you to feel like you're one of us, which is why we strive for true family-oriented service. Using the latest technology, we can complete endoscopic exams for ear infection, sinuses, and gastrointestinal issues. Other services we provide are vaccines, routine checkups, sick appointments, boarding, digital radiology, in-house diagnostics, dentistry, acupuncture, cold laser therapy, holistic medicine, routine and advanced (soft tissue and orthopedics) surgical care, and much more. We are proud to be accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association and are members of the American Association of Feline Practitioners.

East Ridge is a city in Hamilton County, Tennessee, bordering Chattanooga,Tennessee. LakeWinnipesaukeamusement park is located nearby and has rides and attractions for the entire family. Rock city is located atop Lookout Mountain, it is a true marvel of nature featuring massive ancient rock formations, gardens with over 400 native plant species, and breathtaking views. Chickamauga and Chattanooga national military park is a historic park at the site of 2 Civil War battles, featuring trails, visitor centers & an archeological site.

Veterinary Assistant – Make a Difference Every Day

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

Join a compassionate, fast-paced team where your work directly improves the lives of animals and their families. As a Veterinary Assistant, you’ll play a hands-on role in patient care from intake to recovery.

What You’ll Do

• Assist with animal restraint, triage, and patient care
• Collect lab samples and support diagnostic imaging
• Provide nursing care for hospitalized patients
• Administer medications and assist in surgery and anesthesia
• Communicate clearly and compassionately with pet owners

What to Expect
This role can be messy and physically demanding—you’ll encounter odors, noise, and potential exposure to bites, scratches, and contagious conditions. But it’s also incredibly rewarding work for the right person.

Grow With Us
Whether you’re building your skills or advancing your career, we offer hands-on training, virtual learning, and ongoing development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Reliable, positive team player with a strong work ethic
• Punctual and ready to jump into a fast-paced day
• At least 1 year of veterinary experiencerequired
• Strong communication skills with a focus on excellent client service
• Ability to accurately interpret medical records and capture patient history
• Working knowledge of preventative care, surgery support, and hospital flow
• Confident, low-stress animal handling and restraint skillsExperience collecting and processing lab samples (blood, urine, fecal, skin)
• Comfortable assisting with radiographs
• Self-motivated and eager to keep learning and growing
• Open to feedback and committed to team efficiency

* This position requires some Receptionist shifts.

Additional Information

We offer our staff:

• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time for ALL Employees
• Paid Bereavement Program
• Paid Parental Leave Program
• Competitive Compensation
• Continuing Education Allowance (applies to licensed/registered/certified roles)
• Tuition Reimbursement Program Available to any AVMA Accredited Veterinary Technology Program
• Referral Bonus Program for most positions!
• Additional Benefits May Also Be Available (i.e. Personal Pet Discounts, Holiday Pay, Uniform Allowance, Bonuses etc)
• Hiring eligibility may be contingent to a candidate authorizing and completing a satisfactory background check.

*Note – some benefits may only be available to or vary slightly for full time employment status vs part time status.