Veterinary Assistant - Shelter Medicine

Montgomery County Maryland; Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 26,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

The Veterinary Health Center in Manhattan, Kansas is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to support student instruction and mobile service delivery through the Mobile Shelter Surgery and Community Outreach programs. You will assist with patient intake, surgical prep, anesthesia monitoring, intraoperative support, and post-operative care.

You will also maintain medical records and assist with scheduling and data reporting.

Qualifications

• Requires a high school diploma (or equivalent).
• One year of relevant experience.
• Valid driver's license.
• Preferred: one year of Vet Asst. experience in a shelter setting or small animal primary care practice.
• A working knowledge of sterile technique and general anesthesia.
• Ability to perform word processing and data entry procedures on a personal computer.
• Experience in a teaching veterinary hospital environment.
• Have excellent communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Support patient intake and clinical workflow.
• Assist with surgical preparation and anesthetic induction and monitoring.
• Provide intraoperative assistance and immediate postoperative care.
• Complete and maintain medical and program records for both programs.
• Coordinate activities with community partner organizations and assist with scheduling.
• Compile and provide program data for evaluation, reporting, and grant administration.

Skills

Driver's license

Communication skills

Data entry

Animal handling

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

About This Role

This position provides veterinary technical, administrative, and data-management support for student instruction and service delivery within the Mobile Shelter Surgery and Community Outreach programs. The Mobile Shelter Surgery rotation provides spay/neuter services and basic veterinary care for animals housed by regional shelters and community organizations with limited access to veterinary services. Approximately 96 senior veterinary students participate annually, and approximately 5,000 animals undergo surgery each year. The Community Outreach program provides accessible veterinary services to individuals and communities experiencing barriers to care through mobile and community-based clinics conducted in partnership with local organizations.

The veterinary assistant supports patient intake and clinical workflow; surgical preparation; anesthetic induction and monitoring; intraoperative assistance; immediate postoperative care; and client check-out, including providing approved documentation and reviewing discharge instructions. The position is also responsible for maintaining complete and accurate medical and program records for both programs, coordinating activities with community partner organizations, assisting with clinic and patient scheduling, and helping ensure that mobile units and clinic sites are adequately stocked. The position compiles and provides program data for internal evaluation, partner reporting, grant administration, and approved research activities.

About Us

The Veterinary Health Center is located in Manhattan, Kansas which is a vibrant college community with a population of over 55,000 in the Flint Hills. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes 24 vacation days plus other paid time off (holidays, sick, and discretionary), health insurance, life insurance, and retirement plans. To see what benefits are available, please visit: www.ksvhc.org/about/employment/recruitment.html

Worksite Description

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a high school diploma (or equivalent)
• One year of relevant experience.
• Valid driver's license.
• Requirements may be met through a combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One year of Vet Asst. experience in a shelter setting or small animal primary care practice.
• A working knowledge of sterile technique and general anesthesia.
• Ability to perform word processing and data entry procedures on a personal computer.
• Experience in a teaching veterinary hospital environment.
• Have excellent communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.

Additional Role Information:

• Position frequently involves light work. It is occasionally necessary to perform medium to heavy work associated with transporting, or moving animals and/or equipment. Must be physically able to handle, restrain, and provide medical treatment to small animals. Must be able to monitor heart sounds (hearing) through a stethoscope, monitor patient vital signs on a TV screen and/or medical monitor (sight), insert catheters, manage syringes and needles (digital dexterity) as prescribed, and express instructions quickly (talking) in emergency situations.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Applications close: October 6, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$ 19.00 - 21.00 per hour