Veterinary Assistant

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

Benefits offered by this job

No nights or weekends

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Employee pet care discounts

Training & professional development

Job summary

Herndon Animal Medical Center in Herndon, VA is seeking a Veterinary Assistant for a full-time role. You’ll work alongside doctors and LVTs, restrain and handle dogs and cats, draw blood, run in-house labs, prep samples, and assist with vaccines and minor surgeries under supervision.

No nights or weekends; competitive $19–$23 per hour based on experience. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with company match, PTO and holidays, and employee pet care discounts.

Qualifications

• Experience in a veterinary setting is a plus, but learners are welcome.
• Not squeamish about venipuncture, lab work, or routine clinical tasks.
• Able to safely lift, handle, and restrain dogs and cats with compassion.
• Clear communication with clients, doctors, and teammates.
• Organized and steady under pressure in a busy veterinary hospital.

Responsibilities

• Work with doctors and LVTs during exams, treatments, and procedures.
• Restrain and handle dogs and cats calmly during clinical care.
• Draw blood, run in-house labs, and prep samples for reference labs.
• Assist with vaccines, meds, and treatments under veterinarian supervision.
• Help with surgical prep, monitoring under anesthesia, and recovery.
• Take radiographs and assist with other diagnostics.
• Maintain accurate medical records and manage charges.

Skills

Animal handling

Lab work

Client communication

Medical records entry

Willingness to learn

Tools

Practice management software

Computers

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.
• 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.

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:

• We’ll always reach out via verified LinkedIn profiles or emails ending in @nva.com
• We may also contact you via text message from an identified NVA representative for recruiting-related communication
• All job opportunities and applications are hosted on our official careers site: careers.nva.com
• There is no cost or confidential information required to apply or be considered for a position

If you have any doubts about a communication, feel free to visit our careers page to verify authenticity or email us at [e-mail]. Thank you for exploring opportunities at NVA!

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.