Veterinary Assistant

Abqpetcarehospital; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance & vision

Dental insurance

401(k) with company match

PTO & holidays

Uniform allowance

Employee pet care discounts

Training & CE support

Job summary

Herndon Animal Medical Center in Herndon, VA is hiring a Veterinary Assistant for a full-time, in-person role. You will work alongside doctors and LVTs during exams, treatments, and procedures, handling and restraining animals, and supporting diagnostics and client communication.

Compensation is $19–$23 per hour based on experience, with no nights or weekends. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with company match, PTO and holidays, uniform allowance, and employee pet

Qualifications

• Experience is a plus, but eagerness to learn is welcome.
• Not squeamish about venipuncture, labs, or clinical tasks.
• Able to lift, handle, and restrain dogs and cats with compassion.
• Clear communication with clients, doctors, and teammates.
• Organized and level-headed in hectic situations.
• Reliable and punctual with a strong work ethic.
• Comfortable using computers and practice management software.

Responsibilities

• Assist doctors and LVTs during exams, treatments, and procedures.
• Restrain and handle dogs and cats calmly and safely.
• Draw blood, run in-house labs, prep samples for reference labs.
• Administer vaccines, meds, and treatments under supervision.
• Help with surgical prep and monitor patients under anesthesia.
• Take radiographs and assist with diagnostics.
• Talk to clients about pet care and next steps.
• Maintain accurate medical records and proper charges.
• Keep exam rooms clean, stocked, and ready for appointments.
• Assist with kennel duties and general facility upkeep.

Skills

Animal handling

Communication

Medical records

Computer skills

Practice management software

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Time management

Tools

Practice management software

Job description

Veterinary Assistant

Herndon Animal Medical Center — Herndon, VA

Full-time | $19–$23/hour based on experience | No nights or weekends

About Herndon Animal Medical Center

At Herndon Animal Medical Center, we believe great care starts with really knowing the pets and people we serve. Every pet is someone's family, not just a name on the schedule. Good medicine here depends on the whole team: our doctors, technicians, assistants, and client service crew work together, and we've built a culture around communication, respect, and speaking up for the patient in front of you.

What You'll Be Doing

This isn't a 'stand around and hold the leash' job. You'll be in the thick of it:

• Working right alongside our doctors and LVTs during exams, treatments, and procedures.
• Handling and restraining dogs and cats with a calm, confident touch (the wiggly ones and the growly ones both need you to be the steady hand).
• Drawing blood, running in-house labs, and prepping samples for reference labs (or learning fast if you don't know how yet).
• Giving vaccines, meds, and treatments under vet supervision.
• Helping with surgical prep, keeping an eye on patients under anesthesia, and easing them through recovery.
• Taking radiographs and helping with other diagnostics.
• Talking to clients — real conversations about their pet's care, what to do at home, and what happens next. You're often the friendly, informed voice they remember.
• Keeping medical records accurate and charges entered (not the fun part, but it keeps the whole place running).
• Making sure exam rooms and treatment areas are clean, stocked, and ready to go — no scrambling mid-appointment.
• Helping out with kennel and general facility upkeep, because everyone pitches in here.

Who We're Looking For

• Veterinary experience is a plus, but if you're new and eager to learn, we want to talk to you — and we'd love to help you build a real career here.
• You're not squeamish about venipuncture, lab work, or the occasional less-glamorous clinical task.
• You can safely lift, handle, and restrain dogs and cats with compassion — even the ones having a rough day.
• You communicate clearly, whether it's with a nervous client, a busy doctor, or a teammate mid-shift.
• You stay organized and level-headed when things get hectic (and in a vet hospital, they will).
• You show up on time and own your work.
• You're comfortable with computers and practice management software (or ready to learn a new system).

What You Get in Return

• No nights or weekends. Your evenings and Saturdays are yours.
• $19–$24/hour based on experience.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• Uniform allowance.
• Employee pet care discounts (yes, for your own pets).
• Real training, CE support, and professional development — not just a binder you skim once.
• A team that's got your back, focused on the patients and on each other.

Location:

In person — Herndon, VA

National Veterinary Associates (NVA) is a leading North American pet health care company with nearly 1,300 locations spanning general practice veterinary hospitals, Ethos emergency and specialty hospitals, and pet resorts and equine veterinary care. With approximately 40,000 team members, we care for pets and support pet families in communities across the United States and Canada. Our purpose is to give pets and the people who love them more quality years together, and our mission is to make care more personal, easy and accessible while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life. Across NVA, we support our teams with the resources, expertise and opportunities they need to deliver exceptional care and help shape the future of veterinary and pet care.

Purpose: Give pets and the people who love them more quality years together

Mission: Transform the pet family experience to be personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life.

Values: Care Deeply, Do What’s Right, One Team, Own It, Shape What’s Next

One NVA: Bringing General Practice & Ethos Together

NVA is built to make care personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine across every stage of a pet’s life.

At National Veterinary Associates, we want to make sure your experience connecting with us is seamless and straightforward. Here’s what to expect when interacting with us:

NVA offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, a 401k with employer match, and paid time off (including sick time) for all eligible employees. The team can provide more information about compensation and benefits for your specific location during the process. For positions based in Colorado, NVA provides eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave and public health emergency leave in accordance with the requirements of Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.

NVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.