Veterinary Assistant

Thrive Pet Healthcare; Collinsville (IL); On-site; USD 23,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

401(k) with employer match

Paid parental leave

Lyra Health mental health resources

Pet perks

Job summary

Horseshoe Lake Animal Hospital, a Thrive Pet Healthcare partner, is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to support veterinarians, educate clients, and help maintain high-quality patient care in Collinsville, IL.

Role involves assisting with surgeries, patient flow, and record-keeping, with 1-2 years of experience preferred and AVMA-commensurate education valued. Strong teamwork and adherence to safety standards are expected.

Qualifications

• Veterinary assistant experience required.
• 1-2 years of veterinary clinical experience highly preferred.
• Surgical, anesthesia, and dental experience highly preferred.
• An associate or bachelor’s degree from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program preferred; or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Responsibilities

• Support veterinarians to ensure quality veterinary care, advocate for pets, and educate clients.
• Assist with surgeries and procedures in accordance with state Veterinary Practice Act.
• Communicate with clients about pet health concerns and Thrive Membership options, medications, and treatments.
• Maintain comprehensive medical records with practice systems.
• Obtain health history from clients and maintain medical charts.
• Use safe restraining techniques and keep treatment areas clean and sterile.
• Be willing to guide, mentor, and support fellow team members.

Skills

Vet assistant exp

Clinical veterinary work

Surgical/dental exp

Education

AVMA-accredited program degree

Job description

Veterinary Assistant

Horseshoe Lake Animal Hospital

Full-time | | $17-22/hr

Collinsville, IL

Who we are

At Horseshoe Lake Animal Hospital, a Thrive Pet Healthcare partner, we offer primary and urgent care, boarding, grooming, bathing, and dentistry for dogs, cats, and pocket pets in Collinsville, Granite City, Edwardsville, Maryville, and Fairview Heights. Our doctors routinely attend continuing education seminars to stay abreast of the latest medical treatments and technologies. We have a strong belief in preventive care, offering customized vaccine protocols and multiple levels of disease detection panels at our patients’ annual visits.

Role Responsibilities

• Support veterinarians to ensure quality veterinary care, advocate for pets, and educate clients.
• With each hospital function, assist veterinarians and the medical team to maximize productivity and maintain positive patient flow.
• Assist with surgeries and procedures in accordance with your state's Veterinary Practice Act outlined for credentialed veterinary technicians.
• Communicate with clients about individualized pet health concerns and offer guidance on Thrive Membership options, medications, and additional treatments.
• Assist in maintaining relevant, comprehensive medical records with the support of practice systems.
• Obtain relevant health history and information from clients and maintain medical charts.
• Use safe restraining techniques, follow standard protocols, and sustain clean, sterile, organized treatment areas, exam rooms, and labs.
• Be willing to guide, mentor, and support fellow team members.

Experience & Skill Requirements:

• Veterinary assistant experience required
• 1-2 years of veterinary clinical experience highly preferred
• Surgical, anesthesia, and dental experience highly preferred
• An associate or bachelor’s degree from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program preferred; or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Benefits - our care in action

Thrive offers a suite of benefits to support team members’ emotional, physical, professional, and financial wellbeing. In addition to our health and life insurance, and short- and long- term disability plans, we offer eligible team members: Support for you is as vital as the support you provide.

• Competitive pay $17-22/hr -Thrive reviews performance and compensation as part of its approach to recognizing contributions and supporting competitive growth
• Pre-tax savings plan for commuter expenses
• 401(k) with employer match
• Mental health resources, including 24/7 access to Lyra Health
• Paid parental leave
• Purr-ental leave for when you adopt a pet
• Employer-sponsored childcare and elder care
• Personalized care for every family-forming journey
• Discretionary funds and FREE CE courses
• Pet perks and veterinary service discounts
• Student loan management tools and assistance

Compensation is negotiable based on credentials and experience with an hourly pay rate starting at $17-22/ hour. The actual rate offered will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Thrive Pet Healthcare is one of the first veterinary services offering a comprehensive continuum of care for pets’ primary, specialty, and acute needs. Through a nationwide community of over 360 veterinary providers, and an industry-leading membership program, Thrive Pet Healthcare provides personalized, accessible care through every stage of a pet’s life and health. Founded by veterinarians, the organization provides industry-first benefits for practice staff while elevating privately held veterinary hospitals with innovative service and technology solutions. By focusing on the needs of care providers and professional collaboration, Thrive Pet Healthcare is supporting the well‑being of the industry and raising the national bar for veterinary excellence.