Veterinary Assistant - ER - 1st shift

COVE Animal Health; Middletown (CT); On-site; USD 26,174 - 31,684; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive paid time off & holidays

Comprehensive medical, dental, and视ion

401(k) plan with strong employer match

Team Building

Job summary

Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center in Middletown, CT, is seeking a dedicated Veterinary Assistant for its ER, a VECCS Level I hospital. You will join a collaborative, highly skilled team delivering exceptional patient care while supporting colleagues in a fast-paced setting.

The position offers in-house CE opportunities, strong team support, and a culture of belonging and collaboration, with schedules that balance workload and professional growth.

Qualifications

• Prior experience in a veterinary setting, ideally ER.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with clients and team.
• Ability to work calmly and efficiently in a fast-paced emergency environment.
• Willingness to learn and collaborate with veterinarians and support staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate patient care and support veterinarians and veterinary technicians in a fast-paced emergency setting.
• Assist with triage, patient management, and client communication during emergencies.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality veterinary care.

Skills

Veterinary Assistant

Emergency care

Communication skills

Teamwork

Tools

EzyVet

SmartFlow

Job description

Description

Are you an experienced Veterinary Assistant ready to take your career to the next level in the ER at a VECCS Level I Veterinary Hospital? At in Middletown, CT, you\'ll join a collaborative, highly skilled team that is passionate about delivering exceptional patient care while supporting one another\'s professional growth and success.

If you\'re looking for an environment where your contributions are valued, your development is encouraged, and you\'ll work alongside dedicated veterinary professionals who share your commitment to excellence, we\'d love to hear from you.

Our vision is simple: 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 want to retain and develop our talent to the best of our ability. You can expect numerous in-house CE opportunities, and any mentoring available to support and achieve your VTS goals.
• Career Advancement: We pride ourselves on recognizing top talent and strong work ethic and if you demonstrate those things, you can expect to be promoted from within.
• Environment of Belonging: With so many specialties at your fingertips, it\'s easy to find where you fit. We also promote an environment of inclusivity so that everyone feels welcome.
• Environment of Collaboration: Our VECCS Level 1 Certified Hospital includes specialists in Emergency & Critical Care, Neurology, Internal Medicine, Oncology, Surgery, and Exotics and a full staff of experienced Emergency and Primary Care Veterinarians. With the support of their technicians, assistants, and liaisons the hospital teams work closely together to deliver the highest quality of care.

About You

We strongly believe that veterinary medicine is a team sport, and our ideal candidate is someone who shares that same mindset. The Emergency Veterinary Assistant plays an essential role on our emergency team, providing compassionate patient care while supporting veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and fellow team members in a fast-paced, ever-evolving 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 and focused under pressure, and is dedicated to providing exceptional care to both patients and their families during emergency situations.

The Emergency Veterinary Assistant is an essential member of the Emergency team, providing compassionate patient care and supporting veterinarians and veterinary technicians in a fast-paced emergency environment. 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 who brings 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 truly 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.

Benefits

• 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

We know it\'s not always easy to make a move. We treat all interviews as confidential and if a casual chat is more your style, we can do that too! We genuinely love what we do and the people we work with!

Requirements

• Prior experience working in a veterinary setting, ideally in an ER setting.
• 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.