Veterinary Assistant in Radiation Oncology - Veterinary Referral Associates

PetVet Care Centers; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 26,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid Parental Leave

401(k)

Job summary

PetVet Care Centers’ Veterinary Referral Associates in Gaithersburg, MD seeks a Veterinary Assistant in Radiation Oncology to support veterinarians and technicians in daily tasks, equipment maintenance, and patient care. The role spans clinical and administrative duties in a busy, AAHA-accredited hospital.

The position offers opportunities to work with a wide team across anesthesia, internal medicine, radiology, and oncology, with a focus on compassionate care, safety, and client education.

Qualifications

• Must have prior experience in a veterinary hospital.
• Must have excellent phlebotomy skills.
• Excellent communication and client service skills.
• Ability to take initiative, follow direction and work in a team-oriented environment.
• Sound decision making skills and ability to multi-task under stress.
• Ability to safely and securely restrain animals using proper restraint techniques.

Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate care to all patients.
• Greet patients and owners, obtain weight and vital signs, and guide to examination rooms.
• Triage patients, perform exams, treatments, and administer medications as directed by licensed staff.
• Calm and soothe anxious patients.
• Assist doctors and technicians with medications and patient restraint.
• Perform laboratory tests and take radiographs.
• Operate and maintain hospital equipment including EKG, monitors, and scales.
• Maintain accurate medical records and proper documentation.

Skills

Veterinary experience

Phlebotomy skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Multitasking under stress

Animal restraint techniques

Job description

PetVet Care Centers' Veterinary Referral Associates is currently seeking a Veterinary Assistant in Radiation Oncology to join our 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 the veterinarians and technicians in their daily tasks by cleaning and maintaining equipment, feeding, exercising and grooming patients, preparing and sanitizing surgery suites, restraining and handling patients, and clerical and administrative work. They deliver quality care for all patients and provide exceptional service.

Veterinary Referral Associates in Gaithersburg, MD is one of the oldest and best-known specialty veterinary and 24/7 emergency hospitals in the country, with around-the-clock emergency care available every day of the year, no appointment required. The AAHA-accredited team includes board-certified specialists in Anesthesiology, Critical Care, Dermatology, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Surgery, Medical and Radiation Oncology, Physical Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine. We actively promote cross training in all departments.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate care to all patients
• Greet patients and their owners as they arrive and show them to an examining room, taking the patient's weight and other vital signs upon arrival
• Triage patients, perform physical exams, treatments, and administer medication as directed by the licensed veterinary technicians (LVT's).
• Calm and soothe anxious patients
• Assist doctors and technicians with the administration of medications or with patient restraint
• Perform laboratory tests and take radiographs
• Operate and maintain hospital equipment, including EKG, fluid pump, syringe pump, scales, anesthetic monitors, and machines, etc.
• Fill prescriptions, calculate and administer medications, maintain proper documentation, logging, and security of controlled drugs.
• Feed patients as prescribed by the attending doctor or as the client has requested; record appetites; recognize and report any unusual conditions or abnormal behaviors
• Communicate in a positive manner with clients and ensure that they feel comfortable leaving their pet(s)
• Educate clients about insurance, wellness, and medicinal plans
• Maintain the cleanliness of the hospital each day; clean equipment, kennels, and facilities using chemicals and supplies; ensure the safe use of chemicals; complete laundry
• Bath and care for patients who stay overnight; ensure that every animal released is clean and properly groomed prior to their release
• Adhere to the hospital's safety and wellness regulations
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Maintain accurate medical records
• Show up for work regularly; full-time presence at work is essential for every shift
• Promote hospital products and services and support the organization
• Respond respectfully with urgency to directions given by Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVT).
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Manager; may have other assigned duties if working in a specialty area (i.e., dentistry, surgery, emergency, radiology, cardiology, neurology, internal medicine, etc.)

Qualifications (Required)

• Must have prior experience in a veterinary hospital.
• Must have excellent phlebotomy skills
• Excellent communication and client service skills
• Ability to take initiative, follow direction and work in a team-oriented environment
• Must have sound decision making skills and be able to multi-task while working in an environment of stress
• Ability to safely and securely restrain animals using proper restraint techniques

Oncology Veterinary Technicians are responsible for, but not limited to:

• Placing Chemotherapy IV Catheters
• Drug calculations
• Safe Chemotherapy administration using the Phaseal system
• Hospitalized patient nursing care
• Advanced diagnostics: Ultrasounds and CTs
• Blood transfusions
• Client communication and education

Schedule

• Monday - Thursday, 8 AM - 6 PM.
• There will be an initial 30-day training period of various shift rotations which may include mornings, evenings, and weekends.
  24 hours of on-call required monthly.

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

$18.53 — $38.83 USD

At PetVet Care Centers, we’re committed to a Culture of Care — for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. With more than 400 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 dedicated professionals, including 1700+ veterinarians, we offer a unique blend of local leadership and national support that helps our hospitals thrive.

Our model is built on partnership, collaboration, and local medical autonomy, empowering each hospital to deliver high-quality care while benefiting from shared resources and a strong professional community. Whether you’re providing care in a hospital or supporting operations behind the scenes, PetVet is a place where you can grow your career, stay connected to your purpose, and make a meaningful impact.

You care for pets. We care for you.

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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