Veterinary Assistant

Oakland Veterinary Referral Services; Michigan; Hybrid; USD 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is seeking a veterinary assistant to work alongside veterinarians and licensed technicians to provide safe, compassionate care for specialty and emergency patients. This hands-on role suits someone who enjoys teamwork and wants a career in veterinary medicine.

You will assist with patient handling, prepare treatment areas, record vital signs, and support diagnostic and nursing procedures.

Qualifications

• Previous veterinary or animal-care experience is preferred.
• Compassionate and comfortable working with dogs and cats of different sizes and temperaments.
• Dependable, attentive, and willing to learn.
• Able to follow instructions and communicate effectively.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced medical environment.
• Ability to safely perform the physical responsibilities of the position.
• Availability to work assigned days, evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed.

Responsibilities

• Assist with safe, compassionate patient handling and restraint.
• Prepare examination, treatment, procedure, and recovery areas.
• Help obtain patient histories and record basic patient information.
• Obtain and document vital signs as directed.
• Assist with treatments, diagnostic procedures, and sample collection within the scope of the position.
• Provide feeding, walking, cleaning, comfort, and general care for hospitalized patients.
• Clean and disinfect cages, equipment, and clinical areas.
• Stock supplies and help maintain department readiness.
• Transport patients safely throughout the hospital.
• Communicate patient observations promptly to the nursing and medical teams.
• Follow hospital safety, infection-control, and patient-care protocols.
• Support doctors, LVTs, and fellow assistants as part of a collaborative team.

Skills

Animal care

Teamwork

Communication

Reliability

Willingness to learn

Job description

Veterinary Assistants at OVRS work alongside veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians to provide safe, compassionate care to specialty and emergency patients. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys hands-on work, thrives in a team environment, and is interested in developing a career in veterinary medicine.

Responsibilities

• Assist with safe, compassionate patient handling and restraint
• Prepare examination, treatment, procedure, and recovery areas
• Help obtain patient histories and record basic patient information
• Obtain and document vital signs as directed
• Assist with treatments, diagnostic procedures, and sample collection within the scope of the position
• Provide feeding, walking, cleaning, comfort, and general care for hospitalized patients
• Clean and disinfect cages, equipment, and clinical areas
• Stock supplies and help maintain department readiness
• Transport patients safely throughout the hospital
• Communicate patient observations promptly to the nursing and medical teams
• Follow hospital safety, infection-control, and patient-care protocols
• Support doctors, LVTs, and fellow assistants as part of a collaborative team

Qualifications

• Previous veterinary or animal-care experience is preferred
• Compassionate and comfortable working with dogs and cats of different sizes and temperaments
• Dependable, attentive, and willing to learn
• Able to follow instructions and communicate effectively
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced medical environment
• Ability to safely perform the physical responsibilities of the position
• Availability to work assigned days, evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed

The ideal candidate is motivated, reliable, compassionate, and eager to strengthen their veterinary knowledge and patient-care skills.