Veterinary Assistant - Specialty Float

BluePearl Pet Hospital; Lakewood (WA); On-site; USD 28,929 - 42,705; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pet insurance

Continuing education allowance

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Dental coverage

Life insurance

Job summary

BluePearl Pet Hospital in Tacoma, WA seeks a knowledgeable Veterinary Assistant to join our team. You will work with Specialty Teams, perform venipuncture, IV catheter placement, and assist with diagnostic imaging and in-house diagnostics.

The role emphasizes accurate record-keeping and client communication. We offer competitive pay ($21.26–$31.45/hr), growth opportunities, CE allowances, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years experience in a hands-on veterinary assistant role.
• Ability to communicate professionally and objectively.
• Ability to adapt duties with short-notice changes.
• Identify animal body language and handle patients with low-stress techniques.
• Perform venipuncture and IV catheter placement at associate level.
• Support diagnostic imaging and in-house lab workflows.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Specialty Teams across the hospital per caseload.
• Perform venipuncture and IV catheter placement.
• Assist with diagnostic imaging (radiographs, ultrasound, CT) with LVTs and DVMs.
• Maintain patient records, treatment notes, and client communications; assist with estimates.
• Carry out in-house diagnostics and prep samples for outside labs.
• Support all technical staff to ensure optimal patient care.

Skills

Professional communication

Adaptability

Low-stress patient handling

Venipuncture and IV placement

Diagnostic imaging support

Laboratory sample prep

Job description

Our BluePearl Pet Hospital in Tacoma, WA is seeking a knowledgeable and skilled Veterinary Assistant to join our Team!

VA Pay: $21.26 - $31.45 / hour (dependent on experience and advancement through the Kahuna leveling system)

Role Overview

• Work with a variety of Specialty Teams across the hospital depending on case load.
• Perform venipuncture and intravenous catheter placement at associate level.
• Assist with and perform diagnostic imaging procedures with LVTs and DVMs, including radiographs, ultrasound, CT, CBCT, and digital dental radiographs.
• Maintain accurate records including patient history, treatment details, and client communication; assist with cost estimates.
• Perform in‑house diagnostics (CBC, Chem, Epoch, UA, etc.) and prepare lab samples for send‑out to multiple labs.
• Work in conjunction with all technical staff across the hospital to ensure hospitalized patients receive optimal care.

Requirements

• Communicate professionally and objectively to ensure efficient patient care and case hand‑off.
• Adapt duties with short notice depending on departmental needs.
• Identify animal body language and handle patients with low‑stress techniques.
• Minimum of 2 years experience with progressive clinical skills in a hands‑on veterinary assistant role.

Why BluePearl?

• Our passion is pets. We offer Trupanion pet insurance and associate discounts on pet treatments, procedures, and food.
• We encourage growth. Assistants and technicians are leveled by skill set and move up in level as they gain experience. We provide talent‑development programs, leadership workshops, and opportunities within Mars Veterinary Health.
• Continuous learning is integral. We offer an annual continuing‑education allowance, free CE sessions, our own BluePearl University, and access to over 2,000 medical journals.
• Health and well‑being resources support stress management, mental health awareness, compassion fatigue, burnout prevention, and conflict‑management skills.
• Access to 12 mental‑health care sessions annually at no charge through the Lyra platform.

Continuing Education Plan

Includes $500/year reimbursement for CVT and $750/year for VTS. The allowance can roll over up to $1,500 for CVT and VTS associates. Non‑credentialed, full‑time paraprofessionals receive a $150 yearly stipend; full‑time CVT associates receive 8 paid CE hours each year; full‑time VTS associates receive 12 paid CE hours each year. Paid CE hours may be carried over up to a maximum of 24 hours. Newly hired associates receive a pro‑rated amount of any eligible CE benefit.

Benefits

• Company‑paid short‑term and long‑term disability
• Parental leave benefits
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance options
• Paid time off and floating holiday plans
• Health savings account
• Flexible savings account
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Annual scrub allowance: $200/year in BluePearl store credit for full‑time associates
• Referral bonus program
• State licensure reimbursements
• VTNE reimbursements
• Additional VTS benefits for pursuing and established VTS technicians

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or sponsorship transfer. Applicants must possess unrestricted, current authorization to work in the U.S. and not require future sponsorship for an employment‑based green card.

BluePearl is committed to a diverse work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We are an equal‑opportunity employer and each applicant will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, sexual or affectional preference, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace.