Veterinary Assistant - Surgery

Pet Services of Washington, P.S.; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Paid vacation for full-time employees

401(k)

Pet care discounts

Job summary

VCA Veterinary Care Animal Hospital & Referral Center in Albuquerque, NM is seeking a Veterinary Assistant for the Specialty Surgery department. This entry-level role offers hands-on training and opportunities for growth within a busy hospital.

You will support operating room setup, instrument handling, and coordination with Sterile Processing and Surgery Technicians. Full-time, 4x10-hour shifts, with competitive pay and benefits.

Qualifications

• Must be able to think critically and stay organized in a fast-paced environment.
• Detail-oriented with strong attention to accuracy and safety.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for teamwork and client interaction.

Responsibilities

• Set up Operating Rooms for surgeries.
• Break down Operating Rooms and perform thorough cleaning.
• Gather surgical instruments for upcoming surgeries.
• Return instruments to Sterile Processing for cleaning.
• Assist Specialty Surgery Technicians with tools and supplies during surgeries.
• Coordinate with Sterile Processing to sterilize equipment as needed.
• Manage department inventory and submit timely orders.

Skills

Critical thinking

Detail-oriented

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Multitasking

Independent worker

Motivated/positive attitude

Job description

VCA Veterinary Care Animal Hospital & Referral Center is seeking a Veterinary Assistant for our Specialty Surgery department. This department has a growing need for support, and we are excited to have you join our team! This position is a great entry-level opportunity to learn about veterinary medicine and specialty surgery for a highly organized and detail-oriented candidate! There are also opportunities for growth and advancement within our hospital to become a trained Veterinary Assistant.

Location: 8850 Holly Ave, Unit K, Albuquerque, NM 87122

Schedule: Full-Time, 4x10-hour schedule

Salary: $18 - $26 per hour

As a Specialty Surgery Assistant, you will be trained on and responsible for:

• Setting up Operating Rooms
• Breaking down Operating Rooms, including thorough cleaning
• Gathering surgical instruments for upcoming surgeries
• Returning surgical instruments to Sterile Processing for cleaning
• Being available to the Specialty Surgery Technicians to quickly obtain tools and supplies as needed during surgeries
• Working with Sterile Processing to clean and sterilize surgical equipment that is needed urgently
• Managing the department's inventory and submitting timely and complete orders to the Inventory Coordinator

The successful candidate must have the following skills/experience:

• Critical thinking
• Detail-oriented
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Possess the ability to multitask and handle stressful and emotional situations
• Must be able to work well independently and as part of a team
• Must be highly motivated, enthusiastic, and self-starting with a professional and positive attitude

Physical Demands:

• Required to stand, walk, and sit.
• Required to use hands to handle, feel, and manipulate.
• Required to reach with hands and arms
• Required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Requires vision and hearing corrected to normal ranges.
• Reasonable accommodations to enable disabled individuals to perform essential functions.

At VCA, your passion for medicine and compassion for pets and people is matched with a commitment to your professional growth. You will enjoy exposure to a diverse and stimulating caseload, employ the most advanced imaging and monitoring tools, and tap into the expertise of more than 3,000 doctors, including 360+ boarded specialists. You will sharpen your skills, learn some new techniques, and explore career options that only VCA can offer, such as continuing education, specialization, and leadership opportunities.

We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical/dental/vision and paid vacation (for full-time employees), 401(k), generous personal pet care discounts, and more.

The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development).

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement, please see our career page at vcacareers.com.