Veterinary Assistant, Emergency

Ethos Discovery; Short Pump (VA); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k)

Paid Time Off

CE Allowance

Scholarship opportunities

License reimbursement

Uniform allowance

Pet discount

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

The Virginia Veterinary Centers in Short Pump, VA are seeking an Emergency Veterinary Assistant to join our fast-paced team. You will support veterinarians and licensed technicians, monitor hospitalized patients, and assist with treatments, imaging prep, and discharge planning.

This full-time role follows a 3x12 schedule, Friday through Sunday, 3pm–3am, with a competitive hourly wage. You will work across multiple departments, ensure patient comfort, communicate clearly with clients, and uphold

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Veterinary clinical experience preferred.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills required.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced medical environment.
• Demonstrated reliability, professionalism, and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality nursing care and monitoring for hospitalized patients, ensuring comfort, safety, and medical stability.
• Support the Inpatient LVT with recovery and post-operative care for patients following surgical, imaging, and procedural interventions.
• Administer prescribed treatments, including non-controlled medications, IV fluids, nutritional support, wound care, and physical therapy exercises as directed.
• Accurately record patient vitals, observations, and status updates in the medical record, and promptly communicate changes to the attending veterinarian.
• Collaborate with specialty services (Neurology, Surgery, Anesthesia, Radiology, Internal Medicine, Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology) to carry out care plans and facilitate ongoing diagnostics.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and well-stocked inpatient ward and treatment area.
• Assist with patient preparation and positioning for imaging (CT, MRI, ultrasound) or procedures as needed.
• Provide low-stress handling, comfort care, and emotional support to both patients and their owners.
• Prepare patients for discharge, including review of at-home care instructions and medication plans.
• Assist with patient transfers to and from ER or other specialty services in a timely, organized, and medically appropriate manner.
• Participate in medical rounds and hand-offs with ER and specialty teams to ensure continuity of care.
• Adhere to guidance and delegation directed by Licensed Staff (DVMs and LVTs) to perform all other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Multitasking

Reliability

Attention to detail

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

Veterinary Assistant, Emergency

Location: The Virginia Veterinary Centers, Short Pump, VA

Full-Time | 3x12's | Friday - Sunday | 3pm - 3am |$20/hr

Our Veterinary Assistants at The Virginia Veterinary Centers are an integral part of our team in providing support to our Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians, as directed within the Emergency Department. They provide professional and efficient client service to our internal medicine patients and clients.

Pay & Benefits for our Veterinary Assistants:

• $20/hr
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401(k)
• Paid Time Off
• CE Allowance + Free VetBloom (RACE-approved CE) access
• Veterinary Technician scholarship opportunities
• VTNE and/or license reimbursement
• Uniform allowance
• Employee pet discount
• Disability & Life Insurance

Schedule

• 3x12's per week
• Friday, Saturday, Sunday 3pm - 3am
• Holidays as needed

Veterinary Assistant Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality nursing care and monitoring for hospitalized patients, ensuring comfort, safety, and medical stability throughout their stay.
• Support the Inpatient LVT with recovery and post-operative care for patients following surgical, imaging, and procedural interventions.
• Administer prescribed treatments, including non-controlled medications, IV fluids, nutritional support, wound care, and physical therapy exercises as directed.
• Accurately record patient vitals, observations, and status updates in the medical record, and promptly communicate changes to the attending veterinarian.
• Collaborate with specialty services (Neurology, Surgery, Anesthesia, Radiology, Internal Medicine, Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology) to carry out care plans and facilitate ongoing diagnostics.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and well-stocked inpatient ward and treatment area.
• Assist with patient preparation and positioning for imaging (CT, MRI, ultrasound) or procedures as needed.
• Provide low-stress handling, comfort care, and emotional support to both patients and their owners.
• Prepare patients for discharge, including review of at-home care instructions and medication plans.
• Assist with patient transfers to and from ER or other specialty services in a timely, organized, and medically appropriate manner.
• Participate in medical rounds and hand-offs with ER and specialty teams to ensure continuity of care.
• Adhere to guidance and delegation directed by Licensed Staff (DVMs and LVTs) to perform all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Veterinary clinical experience preferred.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced medical environment.
• Demonstrated reliability, professionalism, and attention to detail
• Patient-centered care focus.
• Strong clinical assistance skills.
• Clear and compassionate client communication.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Efficient time management and task prioritization.

About VVC Short Pump

Since its conception in 1981, the Virginia Veterinary Centers teams have worked to invest in new technologies and training to stay on the cutting edge of Veterinary Medicine to provide the best quality care for their patients and families. Our teams understand that when knowledge and care are shared across distance and discipline, your furry family member gets the best care available. We recognize that to do this, we need adequately educated staff to maintain our highest standard of care. Because of this, providing a culture that cultivates collaborative learning in a safe and inclusive hospital is of the utmost importance to our management team.

About Ethos Veterinary Health

Ethos Veterinary Health, part of the NVA Group, is where you come to practice world-class medicine and help shape what veterinary care becomes next. Across our network of 140 specialty and emergency hospitals, science moves forward, standards are elevated, and innovation is put into practice every day. You’ll work alongside respected veterinary leaders in academic-caliber hospitals designed for learning, teaching, and discovery. Here, mentorship is a two-way street. You’ll share your expertise, learn from others, and continue to grow, clinically, professionally, and personally. At Ethos, you inspire hope, deliver exceptional care, and pursue veterinary medicine at its highest level, together. Join Us At Ethos, this isn’t just a job, it’s an opportunity to practice medicine at the highest level and help shape the future of veterinary care. Equal Opportunity Employer Ethos is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Ethos does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, competence, merit, and business needs.