Veterinary Assistant

Bernalillo County; United States; On-site; USD 29,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Education assistance program

Job summary

Bernalillo County is seeking a dedicated Veterinary Assistant to support the Animal Care department. You will assist veterinary staff during surgeries, manage anesthesia procedures, and help maintain a sterile surgical environment, ensuring patient safety and comfort.

The role also involves handling post-operative care, recording treatments, and collaborating with the medical team to monitor animal health throughout care and recovery.

Qualifications

• One (1) year of experience working with animals in a clinic, shelter or a professional animal establishment.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinary medical staff with surgeries, anesthesia administration, and patient recovery.
• Assist in daily setup and maintenance of the surgical suite and sterilization processes.
• Handle intake and discharge of animals, review post-operative instructions and medical conditions.

Skills

Experience with animals

Education

Associate degree in related field

Job description

Job Posting Title: Veterinary Assistant

Department: Animal Care

Location: 3001 2nd St SW

Pay Range: $21.15 - $30.13

Close Date: November 17, 2026

Employees at Bernalillo County enjoy the ability to team up with each other to build a high quality of life for our county residents, communities, and businesses. In addition to being an organization with a strong focus on work-life balance, building a culture of flexibility, learning, and belonging the County offers many benefits. Employees of Bernalillo County enjoy many thoughtful rewards such as, but not limited to generous leave accruals; career development opportunities; remote & flex-work options as appropriate; longevity pay; education assistance program; health benefits; lucrative retirement; and so much more.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists veterinary medical staff with all surgeries including anesthesia administration, recording controlled substances, intubation of animals, surgical site preparation, and observation under anesthesia and recovery.
• Assists in the daily setup of the surgical suite, records oxygen/temperature logs, performs pre-surgical equipment checks and maintenance to ensure properly functioning equipment.
• Cleans surgical instruments daily, prepares surgical packs, and operates sterilization equipment; Cleans, sanitizes, and disinfects treatment area and surgical suite daily; Restocks medical supplies.
• Receives daily drop-off and release animals that come into the facility for surgical procedures. Reviews post-operative care instructions and/or medical conditions of animals.
• Assists Veterinary medical staff with daily rounds/observation of health and welfare of animals in the clinic and throughout the shelter. (a) Reports injuries and irregular behavior of animals to Veterinarian, Director, or Sheltering Manager. (b) Follows up on the health observations reported by staff and volunteers and advises the Veterinarian regarding animals that need further medical care. (c) Assists with triage and treatment of emergency patients.
• Assists in the identification of possible infectious disease outbreaks. Works with the Veterinarian and other staff to take appropriate preventive action.
• Medicates and performs treatments on hospitalized animals. Properly logs controlled substances. Performs basic laboratory procedures, sample collection, and testing as directed.
• Enters and maintains health, treatment, test results, surgery, and medication records in the database for all animals.
• Provides daily husbandry and care of animals in the clinic, transition, and isolation areas; restocks supplies; and disinfects medical outdoor exercise areas following proper sanitation protocols.
• Administers vaccines, implants microchips, and performs initial screening examinations on new arrivals, foster animals, and recheck appointments.
• Obtains radiographic studies, following radiation safety protocols, under the direction of the Veterinarian.
• Perform and assists with euthanasia of animals; ensures safe and humane handling of animals and drugs during procedure.
• Assists in maintaining inventory of medications, vaccines, and medical supplies to ensure availability and timely ordering. Removes expired products.
• Responsible for obtaining a Euthanasia Technician (EUT) license and accumulating annual Continuing Education Credits to maintain the EUT license through the New Mexico Board of Veterinary Medicine.
• Assists with training and teaching of students, interns, and other staff.
• Perform duties of lower-level classifications, as needed in emergent situations, to provide adequate coverage and customer service; works as a team with department staff to ensure cross-functionality and back-up support as needed.
• Promotes humane awareness toward the care and treatment of animals through training, education, and outreach programs.
• Assists with medical functions for emergency disaster operations.
• In certain roles, responsibilities may involve performing euthanasia tasks.

*The above information is intended to outline the general nature and scope of the duties required for this position. It is not an exhaustive list and may vary depending on specific job assignments and responsibilities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate degree in related field.
• One (1) year of experience working with animals in a clinic, shelter or a professional animal establishment.

*Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience may be considered for the above requirements.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must obtain and hold a valid license as a Euthanasia Technician issued by the State of New Mexico Board of Veterinary Medicine.
• Prior to performing euthanasia tasks, approval from the Director of Animal Care must be obtained.

SCREENING AND COMPLIANCE

• Successful completion of a post-offer employment medical examination and background investigation.
• Adherence to all County safety guidelines.
• Complete all FEMA training(s) assigned to this position.
• Possession of a valid New Mexico driver’s license by the date of hire and maintenance of a valid license while employed in this position.
• Complete required supervisor training, if applicable.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Duties are performed primarily indoors, although duties may be performed outdoors when managing field operations or doing field investigations. When duties are performed outdoors, a county vehicle may be used.

Indoor duties are performed in a temperature-controlled environment.

Worker is exposed to natural weather conditions while performing outdoor duties.

Indoor duties are performed in a facility setting with cement, carpeted or tiled floors. Outdoor duties are performed on surfaces which may be even or uneven, wet, or dry. Stairs may be required in performing indoor or outdoor duties. Outdoor duties may be performed on natural ground, asphalt, concrete, snow, ice, or mud.

Work hazards or potential work hazards include use of vehicles, stairs, exposure to extreme weather conditions, driving in adverse weather conditions.

Worker may be exposed to animals, aggressive animals, animal bites, disease, odors, animal dander, animal byproducts and chemicals.

Worker performs duties alone or as part of a select team.

Worker is exposed to intermittent noise or vibration factors, particularly when driving County vehicle over unsurfaced roads.

Worker may be required to be on-call as necessary to include evenings, weekends and holidays.

Lifting large animals (50+ pounds) up to a height of 48".

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS

Equipment used in performing duties includes computer, multi-line telephone, two-way radio, fax machine, and copy machine, and computer printer.

Operate a variety of veterinary diagnostic and surgical instruments and animal care and handling equipment in a humane, safe and effective manner.

Handles a variety of forms and paperwork, writing utensils, and other basic office supplies while performing duties.

May use a variety of equipment including but not limited to a net, rope, leash, snare, squeeze cage, halters, tranquilizing equipment, ladders, horse trailer, and camera in the performance duties.

Operates a county vehicle as needed.