Veterinary Assistant - DC / Maryland / Virginia

Small Door Inc.; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with 4% company match

Generous PTO and parental leave

Commuter benefits

Discounted veterinary care

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Small Door is seeking a veterinary assistant for our Bethesda, MD clinics. You will recognize medical emergencies, assist doctors, record vitals, perform treatments, and support radiography and in-house labs while maintaining a compassionate, Fear Free environment.

Join a supportive team with strong doctor:nurse staffing ratios, a 24/7 telehealth network, and a culture that values growth and work-life balance. Weekend availability required; competitive salary and benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience as a veterinary assistant.
• Availability to work weekends (Saturday or Sunday).
• Comfortable with computers and online tools.
• Strong enough to lift 50 lbs.
• A thoughtful and fearless team player.
• A go-getter who thrives in a fast-paced environment.
• Skilled at communicating with clients.
• Passionate about pets.

Responsibilities

• Recognize medical emergencies and illnesses.
• Assess patients and record vitals.
• Assist doctors with diagnostics and treatments.
• Prepare medications and nursing care.
• Facilitate radiography capture and sample prep for labs.
• Run in-house labs and monitor patient changes.
• Provide compassionate care and maintain hospitable environment.

Skills

Veterinary assistant

Computer literacy

Client communication

Team player

Tools

Radiography equipment

Job description

Small Door is membership-based veterinary care designed with human standards that is better for pets, pet parents, and veterinarians alike. Through our membership model, we deliver exceptional care, 24/7 telemedicine, transparent pricing, and modern hospitality in thoughtfully designed, stress-free spaces.

Founded in 2019 with our flagship location in Manhattan’s West Village, Small Door has quickly expanded across the East Coast. In July 2026, Small Door and Bond Vet merged to build a more connected, accessible, and compassionate veterinary care experience across routine, primary, and urgent care. The combined organization will span more than 55 clinics across major Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest markets, serving over half a million pets.

This role will play an important part in shaping the next chapter of our combined organization and advancing our shared mission to transform veterinary care.

At Small Door, our veterinary assistants are part of a supportive and collaborative network invested in their growth. Our veterinary assistants have the opportunity to work in state-of-the-art facilities with strong doctor:nurse staffing ratios, and have the added support of a 24/7 telehealth team and dedicated call center that drastically reduces incoming calls to the practice - this means you can focus on the pets in front of you! We are committed to a healthy work/life balance, and are dedicated to creating and maintaining a positive work culture. In addition to practicing Fear Free, we are AAHA accredited meaning we abide by incredibly high standards as an organization.

What you’ll do

• Knowledge and ability to recognize medical emergencies and illnesses
• Assessing patients
• Recording vitals and assisting doctors with diagnostics
• Completing treatments as instructed by the doctor
• Basic husbandry and nursing care
• Monitoring changes in patients and providing compassionate care
• Assisting in and facilitating radiography capture
• Preparing samples for outside reference labs
• Running in-house labs
• Preparing medications
• Administering medications
• Working tele-triage shifts (additional stipend)
• Additional responsibilities to maintain a hospitable environment

Who you are

• 2+ years of experience as a veterinary assistant
• Availability to work weekends (Saturday or Sunday)
• Comfortable with computers and online tools
• Strong enough to lift 50 lbs
• A thoughtful and fearless team player
• A go-getter who thrives in a fast-paced environment
• Skilled at communicating with clients
• Passionate about pets

What you'll get

• Opportunities for upward mobility and professional growth.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with a 4% company match.
• Generous paid time off, parental leave, and company-wide holidays.
• Commuter benefits and subsidized health and wellness programs.
• Discounted veterinary care for your furry loved ones.
• A chance to make a meaningful impact in a collaborative, supportive environment.
• A team that lives by our core values and always has your back.

Small Door is proudly committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. We encourage qualified applicants of every background, ability, and life experience to apply to appropriate employment opportunities.

Small Door is proudly committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. We encourage qualified applicants of every background, ability, and life experience to apply to appropriate employment opportunities.