Veterinary Assistant (ER & CC) - Veterinary Referral Associates

PetVet Care Centers; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Parental leave

401(k) plan

Pet discounts

Wellbeing support (Calm & EAP)

CE stipends

Relief fund (Grant Circle)

Local hospital culture

Job summary

PetVet Care Centers' Veterinary Referral Associates in Gaithersburg, MD is seeking an Emergency & Critical Care Registered Veterinary Assistant to join our team. This role supports hospital operations by delivering high-quality veterinary care and exceptional client service in a busy specialty and emergency hospital.

The successful candidate will assist during examinations and surgery, manage nursing care, and maintain patient records while working in a 24/7 emergency environment with

Qualifications

• Must provide patient care and nursing support for veterinary patients.
• Assist with examinations, procedures, and anesthesia as needed.
• Maintain medical records and communicate with clients.

Responsibilities

• Perform patient triage and prioritize care.
• Conduct vital sign assessments, IV placement, phlebotomy, and radiology.
• Administer medications, calculate dosages, and provide nursing care.
• Communicate with clients, educate them, and advocate for patients.
• Handle advanced procedures such as ventilator support, central line placement, chest tube maintenance, oxygen administration, CPR, blood transfusions, and ECG monitoring.

Skills

Vital signs

IV placement

Phlebotomy

Radiology

Medication administration

Nursing care

Client communication

Emergency procedures

Tools

Ventilator support

Central line placement

ECG monitoring

Job description

PetVet Care Centers' Veterinary Referral Associates is currently seeking an Emergency & Critical Care Registered Veterinary Assistant to join their team.

At PetVet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people — providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage — for all the moments that matter.

Because life is better with pets.

We deliver the Ultimate Care Experience — every pet, every client, every time. That starts with a Culture of Care that supports our team members as much as the pets and clients we serve.

With more than 420 locally led hospitals and over 11,000 team members nationwide, we offer:

• Local autonomy with national support
• Career mobility and development opportunities
• A collaborative, inclusive environment where your wellbeing comes first

You care for pets. We care for you.

Position Overview

Join our team as a Veterinary Assistant who supports hospital operations by providing dedicated quality veterinary care and exceptional service to our patients and clients. Responsibilities include providing patient care by determining animal requirements, conducting examinations and diagnostic procedures, assisting during surgery and operations, providing nursing care, assisting with feeding and caring for patients, maintaining medical supplies and equipment, overseeing triage and discharging patients, and maintaining patient medical records.

Veterinary Referral Associates in Gaithersburg, Maryland has earned national recognition as one of the most established and respected specialty veterinary and emergency hospitals in the country — seeing cases from across Maryland and as far as Pennsylvania, with 24/7 emergency care available without an appointment every day of the year including holidays. The hospital is AAHA-accredited and offers an extraordinary breadth of specialty services including dermatology, internal medicine, oncology, surgery, diagnostic imaging, feline radioactive iodine hyperthyroid therapy, and a board-certified veterinary criticalist for life‑threatening conditions.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform patient triage and prioritize care.
• Conduct vital sign assessments, IV placement, phlebotomy, and radiology.
• Administer medications, calculate dosages, and provide nursing care.
• Communicate with clients, educate them, and advocate for patients.
• Handle advanced procedures such as ventilator support, central line placement, chest tube maintenance, oxygen administration, CPR, blood transfusions, and ECG monitoring.

Schedule:

• 3, 13-hour shifts per week (Day, Swing & Overnight shifts available!)
• Monthly hospital-wide on‑call required

What We Offer

We care deeply about supporting our team members — professionally and personally. Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid Parental Leave (birth, adoption, foster)
• 401(k) with discretionary contribution
• Team Member Pet Discounts
• Emotional wellbeing support — including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP
• CE stipends and career development resources
• Grant Circle — a relief fund for team members facing personal hardship
• Local hospital culture backed by national resources

Pay Range

$23—$38 USD

PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V

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