Veterinary Assistant

Cornerstone Animal Center; Visalia (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornerstone Animal Center in Visalia, California, is looking for a passionate and skilled Veterinary Assistant. This role is vital for improving the welfare of animals through high-quality, affordable veterinary care.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in spay/neuter surgery, along with a commitment to teamwork and enhancing community connections. Responsibilities include providing nursing support, client communication, and maintaining a safe environment.

Qualifications

• Experience working as a veterinary assistant required.
• Experience with humane animal handling techniques.
• Computer literacy is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing support for high-quality veterinary care.
• Monitor patient vitals and assist in recovery.
• Maintain and create accurate patient records.

Skills

Animal handling

Patient monitoring

Compassionate communication

Education

College coursework in animal-related science

Job description

Role Description

Cornerstone Animal Center is seeking a passionate and skilled Veterinary Assistant to join our new spay/neuter and wellness clinic in Visalia, California. This role is dedicated to improving animal welfare in California’s Central Valley by providing nursing support for high-quality, affordable veterinary care for the pets and families of our community.

The ideal candidate is a confident, compassionate Veterinary Assistant with demonstrated experience in High‑Quality High‑Volume Spay/Neuter (HQHVSN) surgery who thrives in a fast‑paced clinical environment. In addition to surgical nursing duties, this veterinary assistant will assist in the delivery of routine wellness services including vaccinations, preventive care, and client education, embodying our mission to make essential veterinary care accessible to all.

We are looking for a team member who shares our commitment to teamwork, a positive attitude for problem‑solving, and a desire to learn and grow.

Core Responsibilities

• Veterinary Medical Care
  • Depending on level of experience, Veterinary Assistant roles range from sterile resources to providing patient care, monitoring patients, and assisting in procedures.
  • Ensure the proper cleaning and sterilization of surgical instruments and supplies, following established protocols to maintain a sterile environment.
  • Restock surgical supplies as necessary, ensuring that all items are readily available, organized, and comply with safety standards.
  • Monitor patient vitals and recovery progress, ensuring that animals are well‑cared‑for and safe during recovery stages.
  • Depending on experience, assist with anesthesia prep, monitoring, and recovery to ensure the comfort and safety of patients throughout the procedure.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of safe and gentle patient handling, including the handling of both healthy and ill animals, ensuring their comfort and minimizing stress during exams and procedures.
  • Possess a strong understanding of animal anatomy and physiology, medical math, medical terminology, and disease processes to ensure accurate and effective care.
  • Understand and follow veterinary care protocols for both individual animals and groups, ensuring the health and well‑being of all patients, while also adhering to protocols for behavior management and other specialized care.
  • Comply with all relevant laws and regulations, including those governing controlled substances, ensuring that medications are used responsibly and according to legal standards.
  • Maintain familiarity with veterinary terminology and procedures, keeping up to date with best practices for animal health and welfare.
  • Work closely with the veterinary team and other staff members to ensure that each patient receives the best possible care. Foster good working relationships based on mutual respect, collaboration, and teamwork.
• Administrative Duties
  • Maintain and create patient records by accurately recording treatments, examinations, and test results on computerized patient charts and other medical records.
  • Participate in regular staff meetings.
• Client and Community Service
  • Engage with clients in a compassionate, non‑judgmental manner, ensuring they feel supported and valued throughout their experience.
  • Provide clear, empathetic communication regarding medical information and release instructions to empower pet families in making informed decisions about their pets' care.
  • Foster a culture of respect and understanding, practicing and encouraging humane treatment of all animals while promoting a pet‑family‑centered approach to care.
  • Provide exceptional, empathetic customer service to clients, volunteers, and staff, actively listening to their needs and concerns to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all.
  • Promote community connection by sharing Cornerstone Animal Center’s mission, services, programs, and events, encouraging participation and building stronger bonds between pet families and our organization.
  • Support opportunities for giving and donations, emphasizing the collective impact we can make when we work together as a community to provide life‑changing care.
• Safety
  • Ensure a safe work environment by following all safety guidelines and modeling safe work practices.
  • Follow established safety procedures governing safe work environment including wearing protective clothing or equipment when necessary.
  • Take immediate action to address any safety concerns that could put a staff member, volunteer, customer, animal, or the organization at risk.
  • Maintain a clean, healthy, and sanitary work area.
• Volunteers
  • Work cooperatively with all volunteers and recognize the talent and commitment they bring to the Center.
• Diversity and Inclusiveness
  • Work effectively with individuals and colleagues from diverse communities and cultures.
• Open Communication
  • Facilitate and participate in open, direct, and transparent communication throughout the Society, ensuring all voices are heard and valued. Foster an environment where honest feedback is welcomed, and discussions are solution focused.
  • Cultivate a culture of shared accountability where each team member takes responsibility for their role in maintaining positive, effective communication. Support one another in addressing concerns directly and professionally, with the goal of creating a constructive work environment.
  • Eliminate gossip and encourage resolution at the source, ensuring that any conflicts or misunderstandings are addressed respectfully, with the focus on collaboration and mutual respect.

Reporting Relationships And Contacts

Reports to the Executive Director.

Requirements

• Experience working as a veterinary assistant required.
• College coursework with an emphasis on animal‑related science preferred.
• Commitment to the mission, values, goals, and success of Cornerstone Animal Center.
• Experience with humane animal handling and restraint techniques of healthy, ill, and feral animals.
• Experience in caring for and handling animals in a safe, effective and humane manner, especially larger and possibly untrained pets.
• Computer