Veterinary Assistant

Friarsgate-Ballentine Animal Hospital; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Life insurance and disability

401k with company match

Paid time off

Bonus package up to $500 depending on 

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Friarsgate-Ballentine Animal Hospital in Irmo, SC is seeking a motivated Veterinary Assistant to join our team and support exceptional experiences for clients and patients across all aspects of hospital care. We’re a busy, people-centered practice with a warm, family-like culture and a commitment to growing our team.

Ideal candidates have at least 1 year of veterinary assistance experience, a love for animals, and a positive, team-first attitude.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience as a veterinary assistant or related role preferred
• Safe, gentle animal handling and restraint for dogs and cats of varying sizes
• Clear and empathetic client communication & education
• Oral and SQ medication administration
• Ability to take a history and assist with exam notes and accurate medical record keeping
• Ability to obtain manual vital signs (HR, RR, Temp)
• Dependable attendance and a team-first work ethic
• Eagerness to grow and develop skills in a supportive clinical environment

Responsibilities

• Provide safe, gentle patient handling during exams and outpatient procedures
• Support veterinarians and technicians during exams and treatments throughout the day
• Assist with basic patient care including oral medication administration and taking notes
• Communicate with clients clearly and compassionately to support a positive visit experience
• Split time between exam room and outpatient support as directed by the team
• Maintain accurate medical records and treatment documentation
• Keep exam rooms and treatment areas clean, organized, and prepared

Skills

Animal handling

Client communication

Medication administration

Medical records

Team player

Job description

Friarsgate-Ballentine Animal Hospital is seeking a motivated Veterinary Assistant to join our team and support exceptional experiences for our clients and patients across all aspects of hospital care.

If you're someone who genuinely loves animals, thrives in a busy, people-centered environment, and wants to be part of a team that actually feels like a team — keep reading. Friarsgate-Ballentine has been serving the Broad River Road community in Irmo, SC since 1993, and the culture here reflects that: warm, collaborative, family-like, and deeply invested in the people who join us. We're not just filling a seat — we're looking for someone who wants to grow, contribute, and stick around.

As one of our team members puts it: "No two days are exactly the same and there is always something new to learn. One of the things I appreciate most is the support we receive from the management team — they make an effort to let employees know that the work they do is valued. It's very rewarding to work with people who share a genuine love for animals." That's the culture here. That's what we're inviting you into.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with at least one year of experience in the field who is eager to grow in a supportive environment. What matters most is a great attitude, a genuine love for animals, and the kind of energy that makes a busy clinic feel like a great place to be.

In this position, you will take an active role in:

• Providing safe, gentle patient handling and restraint during exams and outpatient procedures
• Supporting veterinarians and technicians during exams and treatments throughout the day
• Assisting with basic patient care including oral medication administration, TPR/NT/AG, and exam notes and scribing
• Communicating with clients clearly and compassionately, supporting a positive visit experience
• Splitting time between exam room and outpatient support as directed by the veterinary team
• Maintaining accurate medical records and treatment documentation
• Maintaining clean, organized, and fully prepared exam rooms and treatment areas throughout the day

Schedule and compensation:

• Compensation: $18 - 22 per hour, for each hour worked
• Schedule:This is afull-time position, with a4 x 10 schedule, Monday–Friday, with 1–2 weekend treatment shifts per month and rotating holiday coverage. No on-call requirements.

Full-time Benefits Package*:

• Bonus package: Up to $500 depending on experience
• Health package: Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance and disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401k with company match
• Paid time off in accordance with site policy and applicable law

*Part-time team members may be eligible for limited benefits in accordance with company policy and state law

Minimum qualifications and skill set:

• 1+ years of experience in a veterinary assistant, animal care, kennel assistant, or related role preferred
  • Training considered for the right candidate
• Proficiency in the following skills:
  • Safe, gentle animal handling and restraint for dogs and cats of varying sizes and temperaments
  • Clear and empathetic client communication & education
  • Oral and SQ medication administration
  • Ability to take a history and assist with exam notes and accurate medical record keeping
  • Ability to get manual vital signs (HR, RR, Temp, etc.)
  • Compassionate, professional communication with clients and team members
  • Dependable attendance and a strong, team-first work ethic
  • Eagerness to grow and develop skills in a supportive clinical environment

Why choose Friarsgate-Ballentine Animal Hospital?

Friarsgate-Ballentine Animal Hospital is a 6-doctor small animal practice that has been a trusted part of the Irmo, SC community for over 30 years — with a multigenerational, fiercely loyal client base to show for it. The clinic offers a full range of services including wellness care, soft tissue surgery, orthopedic procedures, full dentistry with digital dental radiographs, in-house ultrasound, and comprehensive diagnostics. Every doctor has a dedicated surgery day Monday through Friday, creating a structured, high-quality caseload that gives our support team real clinical variety and depth.

But what makes this place special isn't just the medicine — it's the people and the life that happens alongside the work. Another team member shared: "What I like about working here is how understanding and accommodating the team is, especially when it comes to our families. They're willing to work with us when life happens — whether that means adjusting schedules or just human about it. I also really appreciate that they care about our own pets and understand how important they are to us." That's not something you find everywhere. At Friarsgate-Ballentine, you're not just a staff member — you're part of a team that genuinely cares about the whole you.

Located minutes from Lake Murray and a short drive from Columbia, Irmo offers an affordable, outdoor-oriented lifestyle with great schools, community charm, and easy access to everything a capital city has to offer. No weekends, no on‑call, PTO that starts accruing from day one, and a team that has been building something special here for over three decades.

This is a good‑faith estimate based on the role's requirements at the time of posting. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. The Company offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include medical, dental, and vision benefits, vacation, sick leave, 401(k), and other benefits depending on role and location. A complete description of benefits available for this position will be provided during the hiring process. Where required under applicable law, Company provides eligible employees with paid sick leave, health emergency leave, and other legally mandated benefits programs, all in accordance with the requirements of applicable state and local law depending on the location of the practice you support.

Pay Range

$18 - $22 USD

Friarsgate-Ballentine AH is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in the job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us. Hiring decisions will be based on merit, qualifications and the legitimate needs of the business.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.