Veterinary Assistant

Wenatchee Valley Humane Society, Inc.; Wenatchee (WA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

120 hours PTO annually to start

Medical, vision, dental coverage

WVHS covers 75% of insurance premiums

Retirement matching up to 3.5%

Bereavement leave 24 hours annually

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Wenatchee Valley Humane Society, Inc. is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to support our clinic. The role offers hands-on care from arrival to recovery, working with veterinarians and licensed staff to provide care for shelter animals and community pets.

You will assist with exams, surgeries, and treatments, maintain records, and help maintain a clean, organized clinic environment. The position emphasizes safety, compassion, and teamwork in a busy veterinary setting.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Basic math skills and comfort using computers to enter records and learn clinic software.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and established safety procedures.
• Willingness to work with animals of different sizes, temperaments, and medical needs.
• Washington State Veterinary Medication Clerk credential, or ability to obtain it within six months of employment.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screening.

Responsibilities

• Handle and restrain animals safely and compassionately during exams, treatments, and procedures.
• Prepare patients, supplies, and equipment for surgery and appointments.
• Assist with patient monitoring and recovery under the direction of the veterinary team, reporting changes promptly.
• Assist with sample collection, laboratory testing, vaccinations, bandaging, and other treatments as trained and directed.
• Support medication preparation, administration, and prescription fulfillment within your training, credentials, and required supervision.
• Clean and disinfect treatment, surgical, and animal housing areas; prepare and sterilize surgical instruments and packs.
• Maintain accurate patient records and help communicate discharge instructions and follow-up care to clients.
• Restock supplies, check inventory, and help keep medications and equipment organized.

Skills

Animal care

Safety procedures

Communication

Computer literacy

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

PetPoint software

Job description

Help care for shelter animals and make veterinary services accessible to families in our community.

Wenatchee Valley Humane Society is hiring a Veterinary Assistant to support our veterinary clinic. You’ll work alongside experienced veterinarians, a lead Licensed Veterinary Technician, a clinic manager, and fellow veterinary assistants. This is a hands-on role with opportunities to build your skills while contributing to animals’ care from arrival through recovery.

What your week looks like

Our clinic provides a mix of surgery and public appointments, with two days each week focused primarily on surgery. You’ll help prepare patients and treatment areas, assist during exams and procedures, support recovery, and keep the clinic clean, stocked, and ready for the next patient.

The work includes both direct animal care and the practical tasks that make safe veterinary care possible. You’ll have guidance from our veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians, with responsibilities matched to your training and experience.

What you’ll do

• Handle and restrain animals safely and compassionately during exams, treatments, and procedures.
• Prepare patients, supplies, and equipment for surgery and appointments.
• Assist with patient monitoring and recovery under the direction of the veterinary team, reporting changes promptly.
• Assist with sample collection, laboratory testing, vaccinations, bandaging, and other treatments as trained and directed.
• Support medication preparation, administration, and prescription fulfillment within your training, credentials, and required supervision.
• Clean and disinfect treatment, surgical, and animal housing areas; prepare and sterilize surgical instruments and packs.
• Maintain accurate patient records and help communicate discharge instructions and follow‑up care to clients.
• Restock supplies, check inventory, and help keep medications and equipment organized.

What we’re looking for

You’re dependable, attentive, and comfortable with the active—and sometimes messy—work of caring for animals. You communicate respectfully, follow instructions carefully, and ask questions when you need guidance.

Required:

• At least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Basic math skills and comfort using computers to enter records and learn clinic software.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and established safety procedures.
• Willingness to work with animals of different sizes, temperaments, and medical needs.
• Washington State Veterinary Medication Clerk credential, or ability to obtain it within six months of employment.
• Successful completion of a pre‑employment drug screening.

Preferred, but not required:

• Experience in a veterinary clinic, animal shelter, or another animal‑care setting.
• Experience handling animals safely and humanely.
• Familiarity with PetPoint or other veterinary or shelter software.

Previous veterinary experience is welcome, but it is not required. Dependability, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn are important to success in this role.

Pay and benefits

• $18.83 - $21.15, based on relevant experience and skills.
• 120 hours of PTO annually to start, increasing with tenure to a maximum of 220 hours.
• Medical, vision, and dental coverage eligibility beginning the first of the month after hire.
• WVHS covers 75% of insurance premiums.
• Retirement matching of up to 3.5%, beginning after six months of employment.
• 24 hours of bereavement leave annually, including up to eight hours for the death of a personal pet.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

About the work

Our clinic serves both shelter animals and pets belonging to community members who need affordable veterinary care. Your work will help animals recover, prepare for adoption, and stay with the families who love them.

This is an active clinical position involving frequent standing, walking, bending, cleaning, and animal handling. Physical duties include lifting up to 50 pounds independently and up to 100 pounds with assistance. The environment includes noise, odors, allergens, cleaning agents, animal waste, and potential exposure to bites, scratches, and infectious diseases. Following safe handling and infection-control procedures is an essential part of the role.