Veterinary Assistant, Emergency & ICU

Ethos Veterinary Health; West Caldwell (NJ); On-site; USD 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with matching

Health, Dental, and Vision insurance

HSA/FSAs

Life and Disability insurance

Paid Time Off and Holidays

Pet discount

Job summary

Animal Emergency & Referral Associates (AERA) in West Caldwell, NJ, is seeking a Veterinary Assistant for daytime emergency and ICU support. This full-time role offers weekend and overnight differentials, competitive hourly pay, and comprehensive benefits.

You will assist doctors and nurses in exams, treatments, triage, and patient care while maintaining high cleanliness standards and accurate medical records. Experience in veterinary settings is preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of 1 year of relevant experience as a veterinary technician or assistant.
• Knowledge of safety protocols and proper sanitation/sterilization practices.
• Understanding of commonly used veterinary medical terminology and equipment.
• Ability to calculate accurate medication dosages and administer injections.
• Familiarity with CPR and rescue breathing preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• English fluency (reading and speaking) required, additional languages a plus.
• Ability to follow directions from multiple team members and accurately execute instructions.
• Demonstrates initiative and anticipates the needs of veterinarians and nursing staff.
• Ability to remain calm, think critically, and respond appropriately in emergency situations.
• Professional demeanor, good hygiene, and strong client service skills with tact and empathy.
• Team-oriented mindset with the ability to work independently or under supervision.

Responsibilities

• Support veterinarians and technicians during exams, treatments, and procedures.
• Prepare ER/triage areas and assist with procedure setup (e.g., laceration repair, urinary obstruction cases).
• Set up, break down, clean, and disinfect surgery and treatment areas.
• Prepare surgical packs and sterilize instruments.
• Safely restrain patients for exams, diagnostics, and treatments.
• Obtain accurate patient weights and vital signs.
• Perform basic phlebotomy on stable patients as directed.
• Provide routine patient care including walking dogs, feeding patients, changing bedding, and cleaning cages.
• Prepare patients for inpatient procedures.
• Maintain clean, dry, and comfortable patient housing in ICU, ER, Specialty, and wards.
• Restock and organize ICU, treatment, surgery, radiology, ultrasound, exam rooms, laboratory, and pharmacy areas.
• Clean and maintain hospital equipment and workspaces.
• Complete laundry, mopping, sweeping, and general sanitation duties.
• Enter accurate information into patient medical records and treatment sheets.
• Provide basic client instructions as directed (home care, medications, post-operative care).
• Cross-train and assist other hospital departments as needed.
• Maintain at least one year of service in the role to be eligible for advancement.

Skills

Veterinary experience

Safety & sanitation

Communication

Teamwork

English fluency

Medication administration

Emergency response

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Veterinary Assistant, Emergency & ICU Daytime

$20 - $24/hr. | |+$2.50/hr. weekend differentials

Animal Emergency & Referral Associates| West Caldwell, NJ

At Animal Emergency & Referral Associates (AERA), we are proud to be a leader in emergency and specialty veterinary medicine, providing exceptional care to pets and peace of mind to their families. Our team of highly skilled veterinarians, technicians, and support professionals work collaboratively to deliver advanced medical care in a compassionate, patient-centered environment. With a commitment to innovation, clinical excellence, and continuous growth, AERA offers an exciting opportunity for veterinary professionals who are passionate about making a difference every day.

Compensation

• $20 - $24 hourly
• We offer the highest industry-standard differentials for weekend and overnight shifts!
• $5/hr. overnight differentials (11:00pm – 7:00am)
• $2.50/hr. weekends
• These differentials are stackable!

Benefits Include

• 401(k) with matching
• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) / Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life and Disability insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program and Discounts (including Pet Discount)
• Professional development
• Uniform stipend
• Student Debt Assistance
• 6 Paid Holidays
• Recover Training and Certification for qualified staff
• Fear Free Training and Certification for qualified staff
• CE Reimbursement for qualified staff
• Access to VetBloom for RACE-approved continuing education and training

Schedule

• Full-Time
• Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday
• 7:00am -7:00pm

Job Description

The purpose of this position is to provide support to Doctors and Veterinary Nurses so they may continue to provide excellent patient care. The Veterinary Assistant must pay attention to detail and maintain very high standards of cleanliness and care. The Veterinary Assistant must be able to communicate well with coworkers to ensure overall accuracy and satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Support veterinarians and technicians during exams, treatments, and procedures
• Prepare ER/triage areas and assist with procedure setup (e.g., laceration repair, urinary obstruction cases)
• Set up, break down, clean, and disinfect surgery and treatment areas
• Prepare surgical packs and sterilize instruments
• Safely restrain patients for exams, diagnostics, and treatments
• Obtain accurate patient weights and vital signs
• Perform basic phlebotomy on stable patients as directed
• Provide routine patient care including walking dogs, feeding patients, changing bedding, and cleaning cages
• Prepare patients for inpatient procedures
• Maintain clean, dry, and comfortable patient housing in ICU, ER, Specialty, and wards
• Restock and organize ICU, treatment, surgery, radiology, ultrasound, exam rooms, laboratory, and pharmacy areas
• Clean and maintain hospital equipment and workspaces
• Complete laundry, mopping, sweeping, and general sanitation duties
• Enter accurate information into patient medical records and treatment sheets
• Provide basic client instructions as directed (home care, medications, post-operative care)
• Cross-train and assist other hospital departments as needed
• Maintain at least one year of service in the role to be eligible for advancement

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required
• Minimum of 1 year of relevant experience as a veterinary technician or assistant
• Knowledge of safety protocols and proper sanitation/sterilization practices
• Understanding of commonly used veterinary medical terminology and equipment
• Ability to calculate accurate medication dosages and administer injections
• Familiarity with CPR and rescue breathing preferred
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• English fluency (reading and speaking) required, additional languages a plus
• Ability to follow directions from multiple team members and accurately execute instructions
• Demonstrates initiative and anticipates the needs of veterinarians and nursing staff
• Ability to remain calm, think critically, and respond appropriately in emergency situations
• Professional demeanor, good hygiene, and strong client service skills with tact and empathy
• Team-oriented mindset with the ability to work independently or under supervision

Why Choose AERA?

• Work alongside a compassionate and talented team dedicated to excellence in veterinary care.
• Make a meaningful impact by being an advocate for pets and their families.
• Enjoy a dynamic, fast-paced environment that keeps you engaged and challenged.
• Be part of a workplace that values your contributions and supports your growth.
• Ongoing opportunities for continued education such as lunch and learns hosted by various vendors and entities.

About AERA

At Animal Emergency & Referral Associates (AERA), excellence isn’t just a goal—it’s who we are. As an AAHA-accredited hospital, AERA represents the gold standard in veterinary medicine and patient care. We are proud recipients of the 2024 Neighborhood Fave award, recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Best Animal Hospitals of 2025, and honored with the dvm360 Hospital Design Merit Award for our innovative, state-of-the-art facility. In addition, AERA has been recognized as a Distinguished Kindness Workplace, reflecting our deep commitment to a supportive, respectful, and people-first culture. With comprehensive services including 24/7 emergency care, advanced anesthesia, diagnostics and radiology, internal medicine, orthopedic and soft-tissue surgery, and radiation oncology, AERA stands at the forefront of specialty and emergency veterinary medicine—where advanced clinical expertise meets genuine compassion for patients, clients, and each other.

Nearby Communities

• West Orange, NJ
• Livingston, NJ
• Montclair, NJ
• Verona, NJ
• Caldwell, NJ
• Roseland, NJ
• Cedar Grove, NJ
• Parsippany, NJ
• Morristown, NJ
• East Hanover, NJ
• Jersey City, NJ
• Hoboken, NJ
• Newark, NJ
• Staten Island, NY
• Manhattan, NY
• Brooklyn, NY

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 need.