Veterinary Assistant: Large Animal

Oregon State University; Corvallis (OR); On-site; USD 27,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Rabies vaccination available

Job summary

Oregon State University’s Lois Bates Acheson Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Corvallis is seeking a full-time Large Animal Veterinary Assistant for the Afterhours Emergency Department. The role supports student instruction, high-quality patient care, and excellent client service in a fast-paced, team-driven hospital.

The position requires handling and restraint of large and small animals, knowledge of veterinary medications, patient prep, and clinical assistance.

Qualifications

• Experience in large and/or small animal handling and restraint.
• Knowledge of drugs and medications used in veterinary care.
• Understanding of patient preparation and medical procedure assistance.
• Familiarity with medical terminology and animal anatomy.
• Basic mathematics (add, subtract, multiply, divide).

Responsibilities

• Receiving emergencies
• Assisting in surgery
• Patient care

Skills

Animal handling

Medication knowledge

Medical terminology

Veterinary care procedures

Patient care

Communication skills

Job description

• On-Campus Work

• Corvallis (Main Campus)

• Full time

• Posted 4 Days Ago

• JR0001034

• End Date: September 22, 2026

Department:

Lois Bates Acheson Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Job Summary:

This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time, Large Animal Veterinary Assistant position in the Lois Bates Acheson Veterinary Teaching Hospital within the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University (OSU).

Oregon State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital is adding talented veterinary assistants to the Afterhours Large Animal Emergency Department. We are looking for self‑motivated people with a passion for teaching. It is a fast paced, team‑oriented hospital that focuses on an optimal level of patient care while providing supportive instruction to our students, and excellent customer service to our clients.

Key Responsibilities:

• Receiving Emergencies

• Assisting in surgery

• Patient Care

Qualifications:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated experience in large and/or small animal handling and restraint AND one year of knowledge and experience or training in in a large and/or small animal facility.

• Demonstrated knowledge of:

• Drugs and medications typically used in veterinary care

• Patient preparation, medical procedure assistance

• Medical terminology

• Animal anatomy

• Veterinary care procedures

• Basic mathematics (add, subtract, multiply, divide)

• Animal restraint technique and devices

This position is designated as a critical or security‑sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self‑report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self‑report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 1 year of experience providing medical care for equines and other large animal species in a veterinary teaching hospital or veterinary clinic.

• Extensive knowledge and experience working with large animal and/or small animals in all aspects of veterinary assistance.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively instruct others in veterinary techniques.

• A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing inclusive excellence.

• Demonstrated high level of attention to detail.

• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills; must have the ability to communicate professionally with a variety of individuals.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment and collaborate effectively with students, staff, faculty, and clients.

Working Conditions/Schedule:

The VTH is a seven day per week, 24 hour per day hospital; therefore, weekend and holiday work may be required. Shift assignment may change based on operational needs and/or to maintain appropriate staffing levels.

This is a float position and work schedule will typically include at least one weekend day.

This position is located in an extremely busy Veterinary Teaching Hospital and works primarily with large animals.

This position may be exposed to noxious odors, infectious diseases, chemicals, gas anesthetics, radiation, loud noises, wet and slippery floors and machinery.

This position has access to controlled substances, is responsible for maintaining controlled drug logs, and witnessing the dispensing of drugs out of the cubex machine.

This position will often be required to move, which may include lifting and/or carrying, up to 50 pounds, as well as pushing or pulling objects weighing up to 200 pounds.

This position requires walking, standing, running, stooping, bending, squatting, kneeling, and crawling on hard or uneven surfaces as necessary to provide care to animals.

Working with and around large animals has certain inherent risks. Animal handling and restraining can lead to injury. To minimize risk to the employee in this positions, Oregon State University offers a rabies vaccination at the employer’s expense (acceptance/declination at the discretion of the appointee)

Overtime, evening, on‑call, and/or weekend hours required

This position is deemed essential. The employee in this position may be expected to report to work during inclement weather, emergency, and other University work curtailments or closures

Salary Range:

Min $19.36 - Max $28.75

Anticipated Start Date:

2026-10-05

Anticipated End Date:

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. If this position has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities and/or driving duties and you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job‑related pre‑employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks (https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/background-checks) website including the for candidates (https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/candidates) section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre‑employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at [e-mail] .