Veterinary Assistant

Mission Veterinary Partners; Washington (IA); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary hospital is seeking a skilled Veterinary Assistant to join their dynamic team. The role demands experience in handling animals and familiarity with veterinary protocols, with a commitment to providing exceptional patient care. Enjoy a supportive culture with competitive pay and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Paid Time Off & Holidays

Annual performance review with wage evaluation

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

$500 CE stipend + paid CE hours

Uniform allowance

Pet care discounts

Qualifications

• Previous veterinary hospital experience required.
• Confident in handling fractious or aggressive animals.
• Fluent in written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians and technicians in duties.
• Prepare animals for exams and surgery.
• Administer medications under supervision.

Skills

Handling and restraining animals

Familiarity with vaccine protocols

Basic veterinary procedures

Job description

Overview

Veterinary Assistant - District Veterinary Hospital (Eastern Market, Washington, DC)

Full-Time | $20-$24/hr

Are you an experienced Veterinary Assistant looking to take the next step in your career? Join District Veterinary Hospital - Eastern Market, a 6-doctor, AAHA-accredited practice known for our exceptional care, cutting-edge technology, and supportive team culture.
Location

District Veterinary Hospital - Eastern Market
240 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

• Just one block from the Metro
• Off-street parking available
• $100/month Metro benefits

Schedule

• Full-time: Typically three 10-hour shifts plus a 6-hour shift EVERY Saturday
• We value work-life balance and offer flexible scheduling whenever possible

What We're Looking For

• Previous veterinary hospital experience required
• Confident in handling and restraining fractious or aggressive animals
• Familiarity with vaccine protocols and basic veterinary procedures

About Our Hospital

• AAHA-accredited and tech-forward (ezyVet, Scribenote)
• Services include soft tissue surgery, dentistry (2 dental tables), therapeutic laser, and ultrasound
• Dedicated to Low Stress Handling and Fear Free practices

Our Culture

At District Vet, we lead with servant leadership—your growth, wellness, and voice matter here.

We support our team with:

• Daily huddles and monthly team meetings
• Team-building events, holiday gift exchanges, and potlucks
• Open communication and shared goals
• A collaborative environment with a growth mindset

We're looking for someone who's not only passionate about patient care, but also eager to help elevate our team culture and development.
Ready to Lead, Teach, and Grow?

Join a hospital where collaboration, culture, and career advancement are top priorities. Be part of a team where your skills make a difference—every single day.

BENEFITS: We believe in supporting our team both personally and professionally. Here's what you can expect as a full-time team member:

Paid Time Off & Holidays

• PTO increases with years of service
• 48 hours of flexible holiday pay (6 recognized holidays)
• Annual performance review with wage evaluation

Bonuses & Retirement

• Dream Fund: Annual bonus potential
• 401(k) with up to 4% company match starting Day 1

Health & Wellness

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• FSA & HSA options
• Maternity leave
• Health Advocate - Employee Assistance Program (EAP):
• Free mental health support: 5 in-person counseling sessions per issue
• 24/7 access to experts
• Help with anxiety, family issues, grief, legal/financial advice & more

Optional Insurances

• Life & AD&D
• Short & Long-Term Disability
• Critical Illness & Accident Insurance

Professional Perks

• Uniform allowance
• CE Benefits for Credentialed Techs:
• $500 CE stipend + 24 paid CE hours/year
• Access to RACE-approved CE platform
• Internal rewards program — earn points, redeem gift cards
• Pet care discounts
• Externship opportunities for vet tech and vet students

Responsibilities

How you'll make an impact:

• Our Veterinary Assistants assist the Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians in all of their duties
• The Veterinary Assistant helps to prepare animals for exams and surgery.
• The Veterinary Assistant aids in performing medical treatments.
• The Veterinary Assistant will perform or prepare laboratory tests.
• The Veterinary Assistant will administer medications under the direction of a Veterinarian or Veterinary Technician.
• The Veterinary Assistant will obtain and properly handle/prepare in-house and laboratory specimens (cytology, blood draws, blood smear, fecal, etc.)
• The Veterinary Assistant works in cooperation with staff to attend to any immediate needs.
• The Veterinary Assistant handles animals and their owners in a responsive, courteous and tactful manner, and inform staff and clients of any pertinent medical information related to animal care.
• The Veterinary Assistant maintains a healthy, safe, sanitary, pleasant and clean facilities for the animals.

Qualifications

Physical demands and work environment

• The Veterinary Assistant must have the ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb as well as manipulate (lift, carry, move) up to 50 pounds and lift over 50 pounds with the assistance of a coworker. Requires sufficient ambulatory skills.
• The Veterinary Assistant must be able to work in noisy work conditions with sounds from animals and equipment that can be moderately high.
• The Veterinary Assistant is routinely exposed to a variety of pets that may bite or scratch, and on occasion, exposed to anesthesia, radiation, biological hazards and medication/controlled substances.
• The Veterinary Assistant must be fluent in the written and verbal skills necessary to perform successfully the essential functions, duties, and responsibilities of the position.
• The Veterinary Assistant must be able to exchange accurate information with all clients and team members.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. If you need a reasonable accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Mission Veterinary Partners (MVP) is an equal opportunity employer. Hiring decisions are administered without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.