Veterinary Assistant - ER - 1st shift

Pieper Veterinary; Middletown (CT); On-site; USD 26,863 - 30,996; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive paid time off & holidays

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with strong employer match

Team Building

Mental Health Focused Services

Job summary

Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center in Middletown, CT is seeking an experienced Veterinary Assistant to join the ER team at a VECCS Level I Veterinary Hospital. You will work with a collaborative, highly skilled team that is passionate about delivering exceptional patient care and supporting one another's professional growth and success.

If you are looking for an environment where your contributions are valued, your development is encouraged, and you will work alongside dedicated veterinary

Qualifications

• Prior experience working in a veterinary setting, ideally in an ER.
• Experience in handling animals and basic animal care tasks.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with clients and team.
• Ability to stay calm and organized in a fast-paced emergency environment.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime.
• Ability to lift, restrain, and handle animals safely.

Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate patient care and support veterinarians and technicians in emergencies.
• Assist with restraining and handling animals as needed.
• Maintain calm, organized workflow in a fast-paced ER.
• Communicate effectively with clients and team.

Skills

ER experience

Animal handling

Communication

Work under pressure

Multitasking

Adaptability

Team collaboration

Compassion

Reliability

Positive attitude

Learning mindset

Lifting/restraint

Physical stamina

Flexibility

Animal temperament handling

Vet terminology

Basic animal care

Tools

EzyVet

SmartFlow

Job description

Overview

Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center in Middletown, CT is seeking an experienced Veterinary Assistant to join the ER team at a VECCS Level I Veterinary Hospital. You will work with a collaborative, highly skilled team that is passionate about delivering exceptional patient care and supporting one another's professional growth and success.

If you are looking for an environment where your contributions are valued, your development is encouraged, and you will work alongside dedicated veterinary professionals who share a commitment to excellence, we would love to hear from you.

Our vision is to make our community—and the animals and people in it—happier and healthier through outstanding veterinary medicine, compassion, and teamwork.

What to Expect

• Commitment to Continuing Education: We retain and develop our talent with numerous in-house CE opportunities and mentoring to support and achieve your goals.
• Career Advancement: We recognize top talent and strong work ethic; opportunities exist to be promoted from within.
• Environment of Belonging: A collaborative and inclusive environment where team members fit and feel welcome.
• Environment of Collaboration: The VECCS Level 1 Certified Hospital includes specialists in Emergency & Critical Care, Neurology, Internal Medicine, Oncology, Surgery, and Exotics, with experienced Emergency and Primary Care Veterinarians. Support from technicians, assistants, and liaisons ensures high-quality patient care.

About You

We believe veterinary medicine is a team sport. The Emergency Veterinary Assistant plays an essential role on the emergency team, providing compassionate patient care while supporting veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and fellow team members in a fast-paced clinical environment.

We are seeking a compassionate, dependable, and motivated Veterinary Assistant who thrives in a collaborative, team-oriented environment. The ideal candidate is eager to learn, remains calm under pressure, and is dedicated to providing exceptional care to patients and their families during emergency situations.

The Emergency Veterinary Assistant is a key member of the Emergency team, providing patient care and supporting veterinarians and veterinary technicians in a fast-paced emergency setting. This position requires strong organizational skills, the ability to multitask under pressure, and a commitment to delivering exceptional patient and client care. Experience with EzyVet and SmartFlow is a plus but not required. We are looking for someone with a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and a commitment to teamwork in a fast-paced emergency setting.

At Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center, we value the contributions of every team member. Your ideas, feedback, and clinical perspective matter, so we encourage you to speak up, collaborate, and be an active part of a team where your input can make a difference.

Anticipated Schedule

• This is a full-time position.
• Schedule A: Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday – 8am-6pm, Holidays are required.
• Schedule B: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday - 6am-4pm, Holidays are required.

Compensation

Starting at $19.50-$22.50/hour dependent upon experience.

What’s in it for you?

• Supportive culture with social events & team building
• Competitive paid time off & holidays
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Mental Health Focused Services
• 401(k) plan with strong employer match
• Team Building

Requirements

• Prior experience working in a veterinary setting, ideally in an ER
• Experience in handling animals and performing basic animal care tasks
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact professionally with clients and team members
• Ability to remain calm, organized, and efficient in a fast-paced, high-pressure emergency environment
• Strong multitasking and time management skills with careful attention to detail
• Ability to follow directions accurately while adapting to changing priorities and patient needs
• Willingness to work collaboratively with veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and support staff
• Compassion, patience, and professionalism when caring for patients and supporting clients during stressful situations
• Dependable, punctual, and committed to maintaining high standards of patient care and hospital operations
• Positive attitude with a strong work ethic and willingness to assist wherever needed
• Commitment to continued learning and staying current with veterinary medicine and emergency patient care practices
• Ability to lift, carry, and restrain animals safely with assistance when appropriate
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and perform physically demanding tasks throughout a scheduled shift
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime as required by the needs of the emergency service
• Experience safely handling and restraining animals of various sizes and temperaments
• Basic knowledge of animal behavior, veterinary medical terminology, and patient care
• Ability to perform basic animal care tasks while maintaining patient comfort and safety