Veterinary Assistant (54080)

Nevada Humane Society; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 26,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid medical & vision

Pet-centered benefits

Paid Time Off accrual from day one

Job summary

Nevada Humane Society is seeking a Veterinary Assistant for our Reno Campus. You’ll provide daily care, support clinical procedures, and help match pets with families who will love them for life.

The role requires at least a high school diploma and 6+ months of animal handling experience. We offer competitive pay, benefits, and a mission-driven work environment focused on saving lives and enhancing animal welfare.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 6+ months of professional animal handling experience.
• Ability to work in a veterinary clinic setting.

Responsibilities

• Practice fear-free animal restraint during medical procedures, ensuring safety for people and animals.
• Collaborate to triage and complete tasks for medicine cases in a timely manner.
• Create prescribed labels based on exam notes with thoroughness and accuracy.
• Perform diagnostics including radiographs, cytology, phlebotomy and other tests as requested.
• Document exams, treatments, diagnostics, and preventative care in the software.
• Conduct brief physical exams for shelter intakes and identify normal vs abnormal parameters.
• Administer prescribed medications per NSBVME guidelines and NHS SOPs.
• Monitor health of shelter population and provide exceptional care as required.
• Complete medical discharges and consultations for adopters in a kind, professional manner.
• Sterilely prepare anesthetized patients during procedures and recovery.
• Assist with end-of-day closing duties and team tasks.

Education

High School

Job description

Job Details

• Job Location: Reno Campus - Reno, NV 89502
• Position Type: Full Time
• Education Level: High School
• Salary Range: $19.00 - $21.00 Hourly
• Travel Percentage: Travel varies based on position
• Job Category: Veterinary Services

Care for pets. Find them homes. Save lives. That’s the mission at Nevada Humane Society.

We’re a high‑save organization helping nearly 34,000 animals in our community each year and caring for approximately 10,000 across both of our campuses. through sheltering, adoptions and community‑centered programs and services that help find pets loving homes and keep them there. We are seeking a Veterinary Assistant to join our team at our Reno Campus. In this role, you’ll provide daily care, support positive outcomes, and help match pets with the families who will love them for life.

At NHS, lifesaving work is powered by dedicated professionals. We support our team with competitive pay, meaningful benefits, and a workplace rooted in compassion, teamwork, and purpose.

POSITION OVERVIEW

• Department: Clinic
• Reports To: Clinic Assistant Manager
• Supervises: None
• FLSA/Work Hours Status: Full-Time 40+ hours per week
• DOL Status: Non‑Exempt
• Base Pay Range: Base pay range is calculated by position title, and experience. It is determined within the departmental budget. Changes to the range are approved by the CEO.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Our Veterinary Assistant plays an important role in advancing Nevada Humane Society’s mission.

Essential Responsibilities

Position‑Specific Responsibilities

• Practice fear free animal restraint during medical/surgical procedures, while ensuring comfort and safety of all people and animals involved.
• Ensure collaboration to triage and complete tasks for all medicine cases in a timely manner.
• Create requested prescriptions labels based off exam notes and ensure thoroughness and accuracy while filling each script.
• Perform and prepare necessary diagnostics including but not limited to radiographs, cytology’s, phlebotomy and other laboratory tests as requested by the veterinarian.
• Thoroughly and accurately document all completed exams, treatments, diagnostics and preventative care in the appropriate software program.
• Perform brief physical exams for all shelter intakes including identifying normal and abnormal parameters and completing all necessary preventative care.
• Accurately and efficiently administer prescribed medications to all necessary patients in accordance with Nevada State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (NSBVME) and follow NHS related SOPs.
• Monitor the health of the shelter population ranging from available animals to critical hospitalized patients and provide exceptional care as required.
• Complete informative medical discharges and consultations to potential adopters and other clients in a kind and professional manner.
• Closely monitor and sterilely prepare anesthetized patients for their surgical procedures within an appropriate pace through recovery.
• Work collectively with the team to ensure all end‑of‑day closing duties are completed including but not limited to surgical pack wrapping/sterilization, laundry, animal husbandry and standard cleaning tasks.
• In the absence of a third‑party after‑hours triage, assume responsibility for the After‑Hours Emergency Phone (AHEP) and assist in the triage of emergency patient care in compliance with established protocols.

BENEFITS & PERKS

In Nevada

Nevada employers often provide competitive benefits, but NHS stands out with:

• Employer‑paid medical & vision premium option (Full‑Time Employees)
• Pet‑centric benefits not typical in most benefit packages
• Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual starting on day one rather than waiting periods.
• This puts NHS at or above local and national trends for comprehensive total compensation and unique personal perks

Full‑Time Employees Are Eligible For:

• Nine paid holidays
• 90% employer‑paid buy‑up options and low‑cost dental plans
• Eligibility for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

All Employees are eligible for:

• Low‑cost supplemental plans including Life Insurance, Accident, and Short‑Term Disability
• Pet‑focused perks such as free vaccines, spay/neuter, and end‑of‑life services for employee‑owned pets
• Free and reduced‑cost pet adoptions
• Up to 50% off major brand and prescription pet food delivered directly to the shelter

WHY NORTHERN NEVADA?

Northern Nevada offers an exceptional blend of career opportunity, quality of life, and outdoor adventure, making it an ideal place for professionals who value meaningful work and true work‑life balance. Anchored by Reno and Carson City, the region continues to attract people who want to make an impact while enjoying everything life outside of work has to offer.

A Community That Works — and Plays

Northern Nevada is home to:

• Approximately 300 days of sunshine each year
• Easy access to Lake Tahoe, Pyramid Lake, and the Sierra Nevada mountains
• World‑class skiing, hiking, biking, paddling, and year‑round recreation just minutes away

Here, it’s possible to start your morning on a trail, spend your day doing meaningful work, and unwind by the river or in the mountains after hours.

With no state income tax, abundant sunshine, a diverse economy, and unmatched access to outdoor recreation, Northern Nevada is an ideal home for animal welfare professionals seeking both purpose and balance.

Qualifications & Experience Requirements

Position‑Specific Requirements

• 6+ months’ experience in professional animal handling, in a veterinary setting or animal shelter.

General Requirements

• 18 years of age or older.
• Ability to work autonomously, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines efficiently.
• Staying updated on community developments, particularly in animal welfare.
• High degree of accuracy and meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal, written, and observational skills.
• Self‑starter with a goal‑oriented mindset, willing to exceed prescribed work and time schedules to meet deadlines.
• Possession of a valid Driver’s License with valid registration and insurance for personal vehicles, essential for positions requiring driving.
• Demonstrated commitment to the welfare of animals and alignment with the mission of the NHS.
• Consistently treat animals with compassion and respect, both professionally and personally, and promote these values to others.
• Strict adherence to all local regulations concerning the ownership and care of personal animals.
• Comprehensive understanding of pet behavior and care, with the capability to handle various animals safely and responsibly.
• Maintaining a consistently positive and professional demeanor is essential.
• A sincere interest in the NHS’s mission and vision.

Position‑Specific Desired Experience

• 1+ years’ experience in HQHV surgery settings.

General Desired Experience

• Experience in same or related position in a nonprofit setting-preferably animal welfare.
• Record of continually increasing responsibilities with measurable results.
• Fear Free Certification

Additional Beneficial Qualifications

• College Degree
• Experience in a nonprofit agency.
• Animal welfare experience.