Veterinary Assistant

Commencement Bay Animal Hospital; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Tuition assistance

Referral bonus

Health insurance

Paid time off

Uniform allowance

Job summary

Commencement Bay Animal Hospital is seeking an experienced Veterinary Assistant with 2–3 years of hands‑on experience to join our close‑knit team. This full‑time role offers a weekday schedule with no nights, weekends, or holiday hours, and opportunities to grow clinically.

We provide competitive pay, 401(k) matching, tuition support, and a wide range of benefits including medical/dental/vision, PTO, and uniform allowance.

Qualifications

• Two to three years of veterinary assistant experience.
• Compassionate and empathetic approach to patient and client care.
• Strong communication and customer‑service skills.
• Reliable attendance and dependable work habits.
• AviMark experience preferred, but training can be provided.

Responsibilities

• Obtain thorough patient histories and record vital signs.
• Assist veterinarians during appointments, treatments, and procedures.
• Support surgical preparation, monitoring, recovery, and cleanup.
• Perform a variety of in‑house laboratory tests.
• Assist with reception and client‑service responsibilities as needed.

Skills

Vet assistant experience

Empathy and care

Communication skills

Reliable attendance

AviMark experience

Independent worker

Attention to detail

Friendly client interaction

Tools

AviMark

Job description

Who we are:

Commencement Bay Animal Hospital is Hiring an Experienced Veterinary Assistant!

Position DetailsRole: Experienced Veterinary AssistantStatus: Full-timeSalary: $20.00–$22.00 per hour, based on experienceSchedule: Flexible Monday–Friday schedule with no nights, weekends, or holiday hours

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 discounts

Professional Growth & Recognition: Quarterly team bonuses, continuing education allowance, state license and VTNE exam fee reimbursement, professional development opportunities, and uniform allowance

Lifestyle Perks You’ll Appreciate: No nights, weekends, or holiday hours; six paid holidays; and an Employee Assistance Program

Looking for an experienced Veterinary Assistant position with a flexible weekday schedule, meaningful hands‑on responsibilities, and no nights or weekends? Commencement Bay Animal Hospital may be the perfect fit.

Commencement Bay Animal Hospital is looking for a compassionate, dependable Veterinary Assistant with two to three years of experience to join our close‑knit team. We are a small animal hospital that provides a wide range of services, including preventive care, vaccinations, advanced diagnostics, chronic illness management, and intricate surgical procedures.

Our clients trust us to provide high‑quality, personalized care, and our Veterinary Assistants play an important role in maintaining those strong relationships. We are looking for someone who leads with empathy, communicates professionally, and takes pride in helping every patient and client feel supported.

Why Our Veterinary Assistants Love It Here

• Flexible Monday–Friday schedule
• No nights, weekends, or holiday hours
• Close‑knit team that values compassion, professionalism, and teamwork
• Strong relationships with clients and their pets
• Opportunity to use and expand your clinical skills
• Variety of cases, from preventive care to advanced diagnostics and surgery
• Supportive environment where your experience and contributions are valued

What Our Veterinary Assistants Do

• Obtain thorough patient histories and record vital signs
• Assist veterinarians during appointments, treatments, and procedures
• Support surgical preparation, monitoring, recovery, and cleanup
• Perform a variety of in‑house laboratory tests
• Assist veterinary technicians with assigned patient‑care duties
• Safely handle and restrain patients using compassionate techniques
• Maintain clean, organized, and well‑stocked treatment and exam areas
• Update accurate patient records in AviMark
• Assist with reception and client‑service responsibilities as needed
• Communicate clearly and professionally with clients and team members

What Our Veterinary Assistants Bring

• Two to three years of veterinary assistant experience
• Compassionate and empathetic approach to patient and client care
• Strong communication and customer‑service skills
• Professional appearance, attitude, and conduct
• Reliable attendance and dependable work habits
• Confidence using computers and electronic medical records
• AviMark experience preferred, but we are happy to train the right candidate
• Ability to work independently while remaining a supportive team player
• Strong attention to detail and ability to stay organized in a busy hospital
• Friendly, interactive approach with clients and patients

The Extras You’ll Actually Feel

• Evenings and weekends that remain yours
• A predictable schedule that supports a healthy work‑life balance
• Meaningful relationships with long‑term clients and their pets
• Hands‑on involvement in a wide variety of medical and surgical cases
• A team that recognizes the importance of kindness and empathy
• The satisfaction of helping provide thoughtful, high‑quality veterinary care each day

Benefits You Can’t Beat

Financial Benefits

• 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)
• Referral bonus program

Wellness Benefits

• 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 or discounted lab work for all employee pets
• Pet discounts on services and products
• Pet food discount program

Workplace Benefits

• Quarterly Team Rewards Bonus Program
• State license reimbursement
• VTNE exam fee reimbursement
• Professional development opportunities
• Continuing education allowance
• Uniform allowance

Lifestyle Benefits

• Six paid holidays (full‑time only)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discount program

Join Our Team!

If you’re an experienced Veterinary Assistant looking for a supportive hospital, a flexible weekday schedule, and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference each day, we’d love to meet you.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values at Commencement Bay Animal Hospital and Vetcor. We are committed to building an inclusive, equitable workplace where every team member feels safe being their authentic self, truly belongs, and is empowered to reach their highest potential.