Veterinary Assistant

Apploi; Union City (CA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Apploi in California is seeking an experienced Veterinary Assistant to join a fast-paced hospital team. You’ll support doctors and technicians, assist with exams, treatments, and surgery, and help ensure compassionate care for patients and clear communication with pet parents.

You should be comfortable handling dogs and cats, able to lift up to 40 pounds, and maintain organized work areas. Availability between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM is expected, with weekend shifts as needed.

Qualifications

• Education: High School diploma or equivalent.
• Previous experience in a veterinary hospital or animal-care setting.
• Veterinary Assistant Program is preferred, but not required.
• Strong animal-handling and patient-care skills.
• Good communication with clients.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians and technicians with exams, treatments, procedures, and surgery.
• Safely restrain dogs and cats using appropriate handling techniques.
• Monitor patients and recognize changes in condition.
• Administer medications and treatments as directed by the veterinarian.
• Prepare exam rooms, treatment areas, and assist with samples and lab work.
• Educate clients about preventive care and at-home care.

Skills

Animal-handling skills

Team player

Communication with clients

Calm under busy conditions

Reliability and punctuality

Veterinary hospital experience

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Veterinary Assistant Program preferred

Job description

Veterinary Assistant – Join Our Team!

Love animals? Thrive in a fast-paced environment? Know your way around a veterinary hospital? We want to meet you.

We’re looking for an experienced Veterinary Assistant who brings great energy, strong animal-handling skills, and a team-first attitude to work every day. This isn’t a job where you’ll spend your day standing on the sidelines. You’ll be an important part of the medical team, helping with patient care, supporting our doctors and technicians, communicating with pet parents, and helping make sure our hospital runs smoothly.

What You’ll Be Doing... Hands-On Patient Care Assist veterinarians and technicians with exams, treatments, procedures, and surgery. Safely restrain dogs and cats using appropriate handling techniques Monitor patients and recognize changes in condition or behavior. Provide compassionate care to hospitalized and recovering patients. Administer medications and treatments as directed by the veterinarian.

Put Your Skills to Work... Prepare exam rooms and treatment areas. Assist with blood draws and collection of urine and fecal samples. Prepare samples for in-house and outside laboratory testing. Clean, sterilize, and prepare surgical instruments and equipment. Assist with patient preparation and recovery for procedures. Keep treatment areas stocked, organized, and ready for whatever walks through the door.

Help Pet Parents Feel Taken Care Of. Create a welcoming experience for clients and their pets. Communicate clearly and compassionately with pet owners. Reinforce veterinarian recommendations and discharge instructions. Help educate clients about preventive care, medications, nutrition, and at-home care.

Be Part of the Team

Veterinary medicine can be busy, unpredictable, hilarious, messy, rewarding, and occasionally all five before lunch. We’re looking for someone who can jump in, communicate, stay organized, and help the team get things done.

• Have previous experience working in a veterinary hospital or clinical animal-care setting.
• Are comfortable handling and restraining both dogs and cats.
• Have solid veterinary assisting and patient-care skills.
• Communicate well with clients and coworkers.
• Can take direction while also recognizing what needs to be done.
• Stay calm when the hospital gets busy.
• Are dependable, organized, and willing to help wherever needed.
• Genuinely care about providing excellent patient and client care.
• Veterinary hospital experience is strongly preferred.
• We’re looking for candidates who already understand the pace and responsibilities of working in a veterinary medical environment.

This position requires the ability to: Lift and carry up to 40 pounds. Stand and walk for extended periods. Bend, kneel, reach, and safely restrain animals. Work around animals of different sizes, personalities, and temperaments. Safely work around the normal occupational risks of veterinary medicine, including bites, scratches, bodily fluids, and zoonotic disease exposure.

Applicants should have: OPEN Availability between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM, depending on the scheduled shift and Weekend availability. Reliable attendance and punctuality. Ability to report to work in required scrub attire.

• Benefits are available to eligible full-time employees.

Qualifications:

Education: High School diploma or equivalent. Veterinary Assistant Program is preferred, but not required.

Experience:

Previous experience in a veterinary hospital or animal setting.

Why Join Us?

If you’re an experienced Veterinary Assistant looking for a hospital where you can work hard, keep learning, make a difference, and actually be part of the team, we’d love to hear from you. We want team members who enjoy what they do, take pride in excellent patient care, support one another, and want to continue growing their veterinary skills. Ready to make your next move in veterinary medicine?