Veterinary Assistant

Thrive Pet Healthcare; Port Orchard (WA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Job summary

Cedar Creek Animal Clinic in Port Orchard, WA, a Thrive Pet Healthcare partner, is hiring a full-time Veterinary Assistant to support veterinarians and the care team across our community clinics. The role emphasizes hands-on outpatient care, surgical assistance, and accurate note taking, with a focus on compassionate service for dogs and cats and clear communication with pet parents.

Candidates should have at least 1 year of experience, strong written and oral skills, and the ability to lift 40

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of experience as a Veterinary Assistant.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Perform basic nursing skills such as taking vital signs, venipuncture, intravenous catheter placement, medication administration, etc.
• Able to enter medical notes and maintain medical records; can type 45 wpm minimally.
• Able to lift 40lbs unassisted.
• Strong desire to practice empathetic, gold standard medicine benefiting our patients through all life stages.

Responsibilities

• Support veterinarians and technicians to ensure quality veterinary care, advocate for pets, and educate clients during appointments.
• With each hospital function, assist veterinarians and the medical team to maximize productivity and maintain positive patient flow.
• Obtain pertinent health history and information from clients and maintain medical charts.
• Assist in maintaining relevant, comprehensive medical records with the support of practice systems.
• Use safe restraining techniques, follow standard protocols, and sustain clean, sterile, organized treatment areas, surgical suite, exam rooms, and labs.
• Prepare patients, medications and equipment for examinations, surgery, dentistry and sedated procedures.
• Collect and prepare patient lab samples for in‑house and reference lab diagnostic screening.
• Communicate with clients about individualized pet health concerns and offer guidance on Thrive Membership options, medications, and additional treatments.
• Be willing to support fellow team members.

Skills

Excellent communication

Vital signs

Venipuncture

IV catheter placement

Medication administration

Typing 45 wpm

Lifting 40 lbs

Job description

Cedar Creek Animal Clinic, a Thrive Pet Healthcare Partner, is hiring a full-time Veterinary Assistant.

At Cedar Creek Animal Clinic, we offer primary care services for dogs and cats in Port Orchard, Gig Harbor, Bremerton, Belfair, Silverdale and Poulsbo.

Cedar Creek Animal Clinic is devoted to providing quality, full-service veterinary care in the Puget Sound area. Our skilled veterinary team is ready to support your pet with compassionate care at every stage of their life. We’re equipped with an in-house laboratory, digital radiology, surgical suite, and more to provide wellness, dental, alongside other specialized services. When you’re looking for expert staff, top-of-the line services, and the caring touch that makes a difference in your pet care, Cedar Creek Animal Clinic is here to serve you and your family.

Provide your best care with more bridges and less barriers.

Role Requirement

*At least 1 year of experience as a Veterinary Assistant.

As a Veterinary Assistant, you’ll play an important role in pets’ lives by providing end-to-end care for our precious patients. Your life‑changing work will range from the hands‑on care of facilitating outpatient treatments, surgical assistance, and communication with our pet parents

Role Responsibilities

• Support veterinarians and technicians to ensure quality veterinary care, advocate for pets, and educate clients during appointments.
• With each hospital function, assist veterinarians and the medical team to maximize productivity and maintain positive patient flow.
• Obtain pertinent health history and information from clients and maintain medical charts.
• Assist in maintaining relevant, comprehensive medical records with the support of practice systems.

Use safe restraining techniques, follow standard protocols, and sustain clean, sterile, organized treatment areas, surgical suite, exam rooms, and labs.

• Prepare patients, medications and equipment for examinations, surgery, dentistry and sedated procedures.
• Collect and prepare patient lab samples for in‑house and reference lab diagnostic screening.
• Communicate with clients about individualized pet health concerns and offer guidance on Thrive Membership options, medications, and additional treatments.
• Be willing to support fellow team members.

Experience & Skills Requirements

• *At least 1 year of experience as a Veterinary Assistant.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Perform basic nursing skills such as taking vital signs, venipuncture, intravenous catheter placement, medication administration, etc.
• Able to enter medical notes and maintain medical records; can type 45 wpm minimally.
• Able to lift 40lbs unassisted.
• Strong desire to practice empathetic, gold standard medicine benefiting our patients through all life stages.
• Positive, kind and provide trustworthy communication to patients, team members, and clients.
• Have the desire to constantly grow and advance as a valued team member

Provide your best care with more bridges and less barriers.

We listen to your needs and then meet them. Through training and free CE experiences, your career development can flourish. And in our locally rooted, nationally connected community, you’ll be able to make connections, access opportunities and find support with ease. Support for you is as vital as the support you provide.

You’ll Thrive with Us

At Thrive, you have the opportunity to develop your career in a way that best suits your goals. Take advantage of our comprehensive learning and skill-building programs to enhance your expertise. You can build your skills and earn credentials through:

• Our vast, diverse, and free library of continuing education courses – ThriveU
• Live, virtual interactive workshops to develop valuable leadership skills
• A program to designed to teach you the fundamentals of running a pet hospital
• Scholarship opportunities and tuition reimbursement
• Move into any specialty, hospital type, or environment – across the nation.
• Leadership training for a thriving and long career in the veterinary profession.

Benefits - our care in action

We provide benefits spread comprehensively across your mental, physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing designed to meet your needs as a unique individual. Some key benefits include:

• Paid time off including 8-weeks of full-pay parental leave, bereavement to grieve both humans and pets, and time off for new pet adoptions
• Top quality medical, dental, and vision insurance plus health savings account and flexible spending account
• Pet perks including free exams, discounts on products and services, and more at all Thrive Pet Healthcare locations
• Generously subsidized backup and ongoing care support for children, adults, and pets
• Mental health benefits including coaching and therapy sessions
• 401k with employer contribution and no waiting period
• Continuing education and development support through our library of free CE courses and paid time off to complete
• Scholarship opportunities and student loan support program and so much more!

Compensation is negotiable based on credentials and experience with an hourly pay rate of $19-22 / hour. The actual rate offered will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.