Veterinary Assistant - SS Floater

AAVMP; Athens, Northern (GA, KY); Hybrid; USD 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

TRS Retirement Plan

Benefits Eligible

Job summary

University of Georgia's Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Athens seeks a Veterinary Assistant I to support senior technicians and staff in care of ill or injured animals. Primary duties include feeding, restraining, transporting, and assisting with medications, diagnostics, and patient care in a multi-service hospital.

This full-time position requires a high school diploma, strong animal handling skills, and good communication.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualification: high school diploma or equivalent.
• Knowledge of basic animal health terminology with the ability to recognize signs of medical needs.
• Effective communication skills and openness to teaching and providing consultation to stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide intermediate animal care to patients: water, feed, transport, restrain, groom.
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Administer medication and monitor vital signs; take samples as needed.

Skills

Animal restraint

Animal health terminology

Communication skills

Teaching and consultation

Animal anatomy knowledge

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Posting Details

Posting Number S15737P

Working Title Veterinary Assistant - SS Floater

Department VetMed-VTH Small Anim Spc Srvc

About the University of Georgia Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, founded in 1946, is dedicated to training future veterinarians, providing services to animal owners and veterinarians, and conducting investigations to improve the health of animals as well as people. The college benefits pets and their owners, food-producing animals, and wildlife by offering the highest quality hospital and diagnostic laboratory services. Equipped with the most technologically advanced facilities located on a university campus, the college is dedicated to safeguarding public health by studying emerging infectious diseases that affect both animal and human health.

College/Unit/Department website https://vet.uga.edu/hospital-and-primary-care/hospital/

Posting Type External

Retirement Plan TRS

Employment Type Employee

Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible

Full/Part time Full Time

Additional Schedule Information Monday-Friday Work hours ranging from 7:30a or 8a start time and 4:30pm or 5pm end

Advertised Salary $16.92 p/hour

Posting Date 09/10/2026

Open until filled Yes

Proposed Starting Date 10/11/2026

Location of Vacancy Athens Area

EEO Policy Statement The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR [e-mail].

USG Core Values Statement The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Position Information

Classification Title Veterinary Assistant I

FLSA Non-Exempt

FTE 1.00

Minimum Qualifications High school diploma or equivalent

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a multi-service animal care hospital/practice.
• Proven skills in handling canine and feline patients in stressful situations.

Position Summary

This position will give assistance to the senior veterinary technicians and veterinary staff in specialty service areas in the care of ill or injured client-owned animals brought to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in the hopes of recovery.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Properly handle and restrain various species of animals
• understanding of basic animal health terminology
• effective communication skills
• openness to teaching and providing consultation to a variety of stakeholders
• Knowledge of general animal anatomy and ability to recognize signs of medical needs in a patient.

Physical Demands

• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Sit, stoop, bend intermittently during the day on hard floor surfaces.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to accurately work with small, delicate pieces of equipment or large heavy objects/containers/machinery.
• Wear all protective gear including mask, gloves, gown, hairnet, safety goggles etc.
• Work for long periods of time with arms extended.
• Work within an environment that has high levels of animal sounds, bodily fluids that need disposal, and open wound management.

Is driving a responsibility of this position? No

Is this a Position of Trust? Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No

Does this position require a P-Card? No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? Yes

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) Yes

Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Provide intermediate animal care to patients: water, feed, transport, restrain, groom.
• Lifting up to 50 lbs. or above.
• Administer medication, monitor vital signs, take samples of bodily fluids, either blood or urine.
• Establish effective working relationships with senior veterinary staff and clinicians and assist senior veterinary staff with animal care.

Percentage of time 50

Duties/Responsibilities

• Individual assists with all aspects of the patient's treatment and care, has a clear knowledge of the patient's medical condition, treatment, prognosis and plan.
• Informs attending clinician on any change or decomposition of the patient's condition in an informed and timely manner.
• When appropriate, is self-motivated to use downtime to not only attend to in house but also to assist other sister units with patient care and treatment.

Percentage of time 30

Duties/Responsibilities

• Stock supplies of cleaning products and patient care equipment.
• Ensure facility cleanliness with the use of mop, broom, chemical cleaning supplies to sanitize cages and the floors.

Percentage of time 20

Contact Information

For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.

Recruitment Contact

Recruitment Contact Name Kris Mitchell

Recruitment Contact Email [e-mail]

Applicant Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter
3. List of References with Contact Information