Veterinary Assistant

Horton Discovery; Columbia Township (MO); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Tuition support

Healthcare benefits

Paid time off

Pet discounts

Professional development

Job summary

Horton Animal Hospital-Discovery is seeking a dedicated Veterinary Assistant to join our busy team in Missouri. This full-time position offers diverse duties, including client and patient interaction, exam room assessments, and support for diagnostic imaging and laboratory work.

You’ll work closely with veterinarians and the support team, gaining hands-on experience while enjoying competitive pay and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• One to two years of experience in a small animal practice preferred.
• Critical care and emergency veterinary experience is a plus.
• Strong communication and client service skills.
• Compassionate and humane approach to patient care.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with veterinarians and fellow support team members.
• Reliability and commitment to regular attendance.
• Comfort working on your feet for the majority of an 8-12-hour shift.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted.
• Willingness to work weekends, nights, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Interact professionally and compassionately with clients and patients.
• Obtain verbal patient histories, temperatures, pulses, and respiratory rates in the exam room.
• Maintain hospital and patient hygiene and help keep clinical areas clean and organized.
• Fill prescriptions according to hospital protocols and veterinarian direction.
• Assist with diagnostic imaging.
• Perform and assist with diagnostic laboratory procedures.
• Support hospital and surgical patient intake and discharge.
• Assist with surgical instrument and laundry maintenance, cleaning, and sterilization.
• Safely and compassionately restrain patients for medical procedures, radiology, and other treatments.
• Follow veterinary hospital standard operating procedures and established protocols.
• Perform venipuncture to obtain blood samples for diagnostic testing.
• Place intravenous catheters within your training and skill level.
• Complete accurate medical documentation and billing.
• With appropriate training and experience, assist with anesthesia monitoring and support the surgical team.
• Treat every animal humanely, properly, and compassionately regardless of the situation or circumstance.
• Work collaboratively with teammates and ensure your actions support the hospital’s ethical principles and standards of practice.
• Provide professional, friendly, and hospitable service to clients and patients.
• Use tact, diplomacy, and strong communication skills when navigating challenging or sensitive situations.

Skills

Strong communication

Client service

Teamwork

Reliability

Job description

Horton Animal Hospital-Discovery is Hiring a Veterinary Assistant!

• Role: Veterinary Assistant
• Status: Full-time
• Salary: Competitive and based on experience
• Schedule: Typically three x 12-hour shifts or four x 10-hour shifts per week, averaging 36-40 hours; availability for weekends, nights, and holidays is required

Benefits Highlights

• Financial Rewards that Grow with You:Competitive pay, 401(k) matching, tuition support, and referral bonuses
• Wellness & Peace of Mind:Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with supplemental options; up to three weeks of paid parental leave; generous PTO; and employee pet discounts
• Professional Growth & Recognition:Quarterly team bonuses, professional development opportunities, continuing education allowance, uniform allowance, mentorship, and career support
• Lifestyle Perks You’ll Appreciate:Six paid holidays, an Employee Assistance Program, flexible scheduling, a stocked snack fridge, occasional coffee runs, potlucks, and team meals

Horton Animal Hospital-Discovery is looking for a full-time Veterinary Assistant to join our team. If you’re passionate about patient care, enjoy staying busy, and want to work alongside people who value teamwork, compassion, and professional growth, we’d love to meet you.

Our management team, including two hospital managers and two DVM chiefs of staff, is dedicated to making our hospital a place where team members feel respected, valued, and supported. We believe great veterinary care starts with a strong team, and we’re committed to giving you the mentorship, resources, and opportunities you need to keep learning and advancing your career.

Why Our Veterinary Assistants Love Horton Animal Hospital-Discovery

• Flexible scheduling designed to support a healthy work-life balance
• A leadership team committed to making employees feel respected, valued, and supported
• Mentoring and support as you grow and advance your veterinary career
• Opportunities to use your veterinary skills to make a difference in your community
• A clinic culture that celebrates the unique strengths you bring to the team
• Occasional coffee runs, potlucks, and team meals
• A fridge stocked with drinks and snacks
• A collaborative environment where learning and teamwork are encouraged

What Our Veterinary Assistants Do

• Interact professionally and compassionately with clients and patients
• Obtain verbal patient histories, temperatures, pulses, and respiratory rates in the exam room
• Maintain hospital and patient hygiene and help keep clinical areas clean and organized
• Fill prescriptions according to hospital protocols and veterinarian direction
• Assist with diagnostic imaging
• Perform and assist with diagnostic laboratory procedures
• Support hospital and surgical patient intake and discharge
• Assist with surgical instrument and laundry maintenance, cleaning, and sterilization
• Safely and compassionately restrain patients for medical procedures, radiology, and other treatments
• Follow veterinary hospital standard operating procedures and established protocols
• Perform venipuncture to obtain blood samples for diagnostic testing
• Place intravenous catheters within your training and skill level
• Complete accurate medical documentation and billing
• With appropriate training and experience, assist with anesthesia monitoring and support the surgical team
• Treat every animal humanely, properly, and compassionately regardless of the situation or circumstance
• Work collaboratively with teammates and ensure your actions support the hospital’s ethical principles and standards of practice
• Provide professional, friendly, and hospitable service to clients and patients
• Use tact, diplomacy, and strong communication skills when navigating challenging or sensitive situations

What Our Veterinary Assistants Bring

• One to two years of experience in a small animal practice is preferred
• Critical care and emergency veterinary experience is a plus
• Strong communication and client service skills
• Professionalism, tact, and diplomacy
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with veterinarians and fellow support team members
• A compassionate and humane approach to patient care
• Reliability and commitment to regular attendance
• Comfort working on your feet for the majority of an 8-12-hour shift
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted
• Ability and willingness to work weekends, nights, and holidays
• A positive, team-focused attitude and willingness to learn
• Commitment to providing exceptional care to patients and outstanding service to clients

Benefits You Can’t Beat

• A flexible approach to compensation that reflects your skill set and future performance
• 401(k) matching & Roth Retirement Savings Plan
• Flexible Spending Account (full-time only)
• 529 Savings Plan
• Tuition Support Program (full-time only)
• Health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision (full-time only)
• Supplemental insurance, including accident, critical illness, hospital, short and long-term disability, legal plan, and employee, spouse, and child-dependent life insurance (full-time only)
• Up to three weeks of full pay for the birth or adoption of a child (full-time employees only; available after one year of service). In states with paid family leave programs, this benefit does not apply.
• Sick Time / Paid Time Off
• Free/discounted lab work for all employee pets
• Pet discounts on services and products
• Quarterly Team Rewards Bonus Program
• Continuing education allowance
• Ongoing mentoring and career support
• Six paid holidays (full-time only)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discount program
• Flexible scheduling designed to support a healthy work-life balance

Join Our Team!

At Horton Animal Hospital-Discovery, we want you to do meaningful work while feeling supported by the people around you. You’ll have opportunities to strengthen your clinical skills, learn from experienced veterinary professionals, and contribute to a team that takes both excellent patient care and employee growth seriously.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values at Horton Animal Hospital-Discovery and Vetcor. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working and learning environment for all employees. Every team member enriches our diversity by exposing us to various ways to understand and engage with the world. That’s why we’re committed to a workplace culture where employees are comfortable being their authentic selves, feel a complete sense of belonging, and are empowered to reach their highest potential.

Prioritize your work-life balance and enjoy a fulfilling time away from work with our generous offerings.

• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays

Training & Development

Unleash your potential and foster professional growth through our comprehensive education and training programs.

• Vetcor University - training for skill development and career growth
• CE Allowance and opportunities
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Lend a Hand Program – increased pay to help a sister hospital
• VetLife Days – rotate to a sister hospital

Enjoy exclusive benefits for you and your furry family members.

• Discounted Products

Health & Welfare

Take care of your well‑being with our comprehensive health and wellness benefits.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Optional Life Insurance, Disability, and Accidental Insurance
• EAP with counseling and mental health benefits
• DVM Professional Liability Insurance fully covered
• Licensure Fees, Professional & Association Dues

Financial Wellbeing

Secure your financial future with our range of offerings designed to promote your financial well‑being.

• 401K with company contribution
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account
• EAP with Financial & Legal Advice/Services
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Employee Referral Bonus

Time Off/Work Life Balance

Prioritize your work-life balance and enjoy a fulfilling time away from work with our generous offerings.

• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays

Training & Development

Unleash your potential and foster professional growth through our comprehensive education and training programs.

• Vetcor University - training for skill development and career growth
• CE Allowance and opportunities
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Lend a Hand Program – increased pay to help a sister hospital
• VetLife Days – rotate to a sister hospital

Enjoy exclusive benefits for you and your furry family members.

• Discounted Products

Health & Welfare

Take care of your well‑being with our comprehensive health and wellness benefits.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Optional Life Insurance, Disability, and Accidental Insurance
• EAP with counseling and mental health benefits
• DVM Professional Liability Insurance fully covered
• Licensure Fees, Professional & Association Dues

Financial Wellbeing

Secure your financial future with our range of offerings designed to promote your financial well‑being.

• 401K with company contribution
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account
• EAP with Financial & Legal Advice/Services
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Employee Referral Bonus

Time Off/Work Life Balance

Prioritize your work-life balance and enjoy a fulfilling time away from work with our generous offerings.