Veterinary Assistant - Primary Care

COVE Animal Health; Middletown (CT); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k)

Paid Time Off

Holidays

Mental Health Services

Team Events

Job summary

COVE Animal Health in Middletown, CT is seeking a compassionate Veterinary Assistant to join our collaborative team. You’ll support Veterinary Technicians, assist with basic patient care, and help maintain a clean, efficient hospital environment.

This full-time role offers opportunities for hands-on learning, rotating between appointments and surgical prep, and access to continuing education to grow your veterinary skills within a supportive network.

Qualifications

• Must have prior experience in a veterinary setting.
• Ability to handle animals and perform basic animal care tasks.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with clients and team members.
• Ability to multi-task and stay organized in a fast-paced environment.
• Compassion and patience when handling animals.
• Basic knowledge of animal behavior and medical terminology.
• Ability to work under pressure and collaboratively with staff.

Responsibilities

• Assist Veterinary Technicians in clinical tasks and patient care.
• Support surgical pack and prep responsibilities.
• Rotate between patient appointments and surgical prep duties.
• Maintain clean, organized exam rooms and hospital areas.

Skills

Veterinary experience

Animal handling

Communication skills

Multitasking

Compassion

Medical terminology

Team collaboration

Job description

JOIN OUR TEAM OF PASSIONATE AND DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS!

Positions are available at all of the hospitals within the COVE Veterinary network. You’ll have the opportunity to practice the highest level of care, along with great benefits and a supportive work environment.

Explore many exciting opportunities with COVE!

COVE’s five respected regional brands offer positions for all veterinary professionals in Connecticut, Massachusetts/Rhode Island, Maine, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Description: Are you ready to be a part of something exciting and make a difference in the lives of animals?

We are looking for compassionate and motivated Veterinary Assistant to join our team at Pieper Veterinary Berlin Street located in Middletown, CT. If you have a love for animals and a passion for providing exceptional care, this is your chance to help shape the future of our practice and support our mission to deliver top-notch service to every pet and pet parent.

Our vision is a simple one, to make the community and the animals and people in it happier and healthier.

What to Expect:

• Environment of Collaboration: Our hospital locations work closely together with each other as well as the Specialty/ER location in Middletown to provide the best possible care for the pets we see.
• 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.
• 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 career goals!

About You: We strongly believe that veterinary medicine is a team sport, and our ideal candidate is someone who feels the same.

The ideal candidate is confident in animal handling and restraint, basic surgical preparation, and assisting Veterinary Technicians in a clinical setting. Experience with surgical pack and prep is preferred, as this role includes rotating between patient appointments and surgical pack and prep responsibilities. Familiarity with EzyVet and SmartFlow is also a plus but not required.

Communication is key in our industry, and we are looking for people who navigate both client and interpersonal communication with skill and ease. We highly value collaboration from all staff members, so please speak up as your input is not only valued but can make a difference.

Anticipated Schedule: This is a full‑time position: 4 days a week / 10‑hour shifts - 8am-6pm. Rotating Saturdays 8am-2pm are required.

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 a strong employer match

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

• Must have prior experience working in a veterinary setting.
• Experience in handling animals and performing basic animal care tasks.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact with clients and team members.
• Ability to multi‑task and remain organized in a fast‑paced environment.
• Compassion and patience when handling animals.
• Basic knowledge of animal behavior and medical terminology.
• Ability to work well under pressure and in stressful situations.
• Ability to work collaboratively with veterinarians, technicians, and other staff members.
• Willingness to take direction and adapt to new tasks and procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow instructions.
• Punctuality and reliability, with a commitment to maintaining a high standard of care.
• Positive attitude, professionalism, and a compassionate approach to client care.
• Willingness to continue learning and stay updated on veterinary practices.

Don’t see the right role just yet? Stay connected—we’ll keep you in mind as new opportunities open up.