Veterinary Assistant

Pet Services of Washington, P.S.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

VCA Ark Animal Hospital in Chicago, IL is seeking a full-time Veterinary Assistant to support exams, diagnostics, and client care in a busy small-animal practice.

You will assist veterinarians and techs, take histories, restrain animals, and help with imaging and in-house tests while maintaining records and delivering excellent service.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a veterinary setting
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Comfortable handling dogs and cats of all sizes and temperaments
• High school diploma or equivalent required

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians and technicians with exams and procedures
• Take patient histories and perform TPRs
• Restrain animals safely and compassionately
• Prepare and clean exam rooms
• Assist with radiographs, lab sample collection, and basic in-house diagnostics
• Maintain accurate medical records and support charting
• Provide client education and ensure excellent service during visits
• Support surgery prep and recovery as needed
• Help maintain a clean, stocked, and organized hospital environment

Skills

Vet experience

Communication

Teamwork

Animal handling

Education: HS diploma

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Location: 3235 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

VCA Ark Animal Hospital is seeking a full-time Veterinary Assistant!

VCA Ark Animal Hospital is a well-established, full-service small animal hospital in Chicago, IL, committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality veterinary care and an excellent client experience. Our team supports pets and their families through every life stage, providing preventive care, dentistry, diagnostics, and surgery in a collaborative, supportive environment.

As a Veterinary Assistant at VCA Ark, you'll play a vital role in creating a smooth, low-stress experience for patients and clients alike.

Below are some of the many benefits of joining the VCA team!

• Advancement and leadership opportunities
• Internal CE and development opportunities
• Tuition assistance including Veterinary Technology Associates, Bachelors completion and more
• Medical, dental & vision insurance, a variety of additional coverage options
• Free mental health care through Lyra Health (up to 12 sessions a year)
• Access to free counseling through Cigna Life Assistance program
• Access to Headspace app
• Fully employer-paid life, long-term and short-term disability insurance
• Paid vacation, paid sick time, holiday pay
• Paid parental leave
• Fertility coverage, gender affirmation services
• Generous hospital discounts for your pets, a variety of other discounts including cellular service, apparel, computer equipment, etc.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Referral bonus opportunities
• Practice management software with digital innovations for streamlined practice flow and client communication
• Opportunities to give back through VCA Charities and community partnerships

Schedule: Full - time opportunity. 4 x 10 hour shifts with rotating Saturdays.

Compensation : The starting range is $18 -21 /hr and is determined by skill set and years of experience in the field.

Qualifications:

• Previous experience in a veterinary setting
• A passion for animals and a desire to learn and grow in the veterinary field
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Comfortable handling dogs and cats of all sizes and temperaments
• High school diploma or equivalent required

What You'll Do (Day-to-Day Responsibilities):

• Assist veterinarians and technicians with exams and procedures
• Take patient histories and perform TPRs (temperature, pulse, respiration)
• Restrain animals safely and compassionately
• Prepare and clean exam rooms
• Assist with radiographs, lab sample collection, and basic in-house diagnostics
• Maintain accurate medical records and support charting
• Provide client education and ensure excellent service during visits
• Support surgery prep and recovery as needed
• Help maintain a clean, stocked, and organized hospital environment

Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!

The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development).

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com.