Veterinary Assistant

Cherokee Trail Veterinary Hospital, PA; Chester (VA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

PTO & holidays

CE allowance

Job summary

Chester Animal Clinic in Chester, VA is hiring a full-time Veterinary Assistant to join our team. You’ll help ensure smooth exams with proper restraint and prep, perform accurate on-site lab work, and support a calm, fear-free visit for every patient.

Requirements include 1–2 years veterinary experience and availability for 9-hour day shifts, Monday–Friday. Preferred: restraint, sample collection, lab testing, or surgery/dental prep. Competitive benefits and schedule flexibility offered.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of experience in a veterinary setting.
• Availability for 9-hour day shifts, Monday through Friday.

Responsibilities

• Smooth exams and procedures, supported by proper restraint and prep.
• Accurate on-site lab work to deliver timely client answers.
• Maintain clean, well-stocked exam and treatment rooms to keep the day on schedule.
• Help clients understand pet care and next steps.

Skills

Vet setting experience

Patient restraint

Sample collection

Lab testing

Surgery/dental prep

Job description

Veterinary Assistant | Chester, VA

A nervous terrier comes in for his vaccines. Before anyone reaches for him, the room is already set: calming pheromones on, soft music playing, a warm towel on the table, and high-value treats in your pocket. You read his body language, let him set the pace, and he leaves with his tail wagging. At Chester Animal Clinic, that’s the goal for every patient, because every visit should be a happy visit. We’re hiring a full-time Veterinary Assistant to join our team.

About the Practice

We’ve cared for the pets of Chesterfield County since 1968. We’re a full-service small animal hospital with many diagnostic tests on-site, and we partner with local specialists for advanced cases. Fear Free shapes everything about how we practice. Our goal is to take the fear, anxiety, and stress out of veterinary visits, with calming pheromones, calming music, warm towels, catnip, high-reward treats, and gentle handling from a team that knows how to read pet body language. Comprehensive care in a calm environment is our standard. West Chester Pet Resort is right next door, so you may see a few boarding and daycare guests, too.

What You’ll Help Make Possible

• Smooth exams and procedures, thanks to careful restraint and patient prep
• Accurate on-site lab work that gets clients answers faster
• Resort guests who get prompt medical attention whenever they need it
• Clean, well-stocked exam and treatment rooms that keep the day on schedule
• Clients who leave understanding their pet’s care and next steps

What We’re Looking For

Required:

• 1-2 years of experience in a veterinary setting
• Availability for 9-hour day shifts, Monday through Friday

Preferred:

• Experience with patient restraint, sample collection, lab testing, or surgery and dental prep
• Organized, dependable, and detail-oriented
• Clear, kind communication with clients and teammates
• Comfortable with dogs, cats, and other companion animals

Schedule

• Full-time, Day shift
• 9-hour shifts
• No weekends
• No holiday shifts required

Compensation

Compensation for this role ranges from $17.00 to $18.00 per hour, based on experience and role alignment.

Benefits

• Competitive pay, based on experience
• Free virtual mental health for your household (ages 13+)
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Generous CE allowance plus paid CE time
• Uniform allowance
• Pet care discounts for your personal pets
• PTO, floating holidays, parental leave, and military leave
• A robust Employee Assistance Program (from finances to wellness and everything in between)
• Access to Encore Vet Group’s library of training, CE, and career development resources
• A 401(k) with up to 5% company match

If you want a weekday schedule, a team that’s been part of this community for more than 55 years, and enough variety to keep every day interesting, we’d love to hear from you.

Check us out: www.chesteranimalclinic.com

Mesa Veterinary Hospital is proud to be partnered by Encore Vet Group – see what that means for you: www.encorevet.com

Encore Vet Group is a community of veterinary hospitals that share a passion for the profession and a strong commitment to those who provide veterinary care. We are dedicated to a great culture, strong leadership, and high-quality medicine. Veterinary practice success doesn’t happen without these key ingredients. Whether you're a veterinarian, technician, or support staff, our focus is to support you in doing what you love — caring for animals while advancing your career.

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