Veterinary Assistant, Surgery

Ethos Veterinary Health; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 19,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental/Vision

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Disability insurance

Life insurance

VetBloom CE

Continued Education

EAP

Pet benefits

Career growth

Job summary

Ethos Veterinary Health's Hawaii surgery team seeks an experienced Veterinary Assistant to support anesthesia, surgical procedures and patient care in a 24/7 Emergency & Specialty hospital in Honolulu, HI. You will assist with prep, recovery, and ongoing patient care while gaining exposure to advanced surgical cases.

The role emphasizes hands-on nursing skills, aseptic technique and teamwork in a fast-paced environment with opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Minimum hands-on veterinary experience in a clinical setting.
• Experience with surgical assisting and anesthesia is highly preferred.
• Strong restraint, venipuncture, IV catheterization and patient care skills.
• Knowledge of aseptic technique and surgical instrumentation is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Surgery team with preparation and care of surgical patients.
• Prepare treatment areas, suites, equipment and supplies for procedures.
• Support with patient restraint, venipuncture and IV catheter placement.
• Assist anesthesia prep, monitoring and recovery.
• Assist with surgeries while maintaining sterile technique.
• Sterilize and organize instruments and equipment.
• Provide nursing care for pre- and post-operative patients.
• Monitor patient comfort and communicate changes to the team.
• Assist with diagnostic imaging and case prep.

Skills

Vet experience

Surgical assisting

Anesthesia monitoring

Patient care skills

Aseptic technique

Surgical instruments

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Job description

Veterinary Assistant – Surgery

Veterinary Emergency + Referral Center of Hawaii (VERC) | Honolulu, HI
Full-Time | Surgery
Up to $23.00/hr DOE

VERC is seeking an experienced Veterinary Assistant to join our Surgery team in Honolulu.

If you enjoy anesthesia, surgical assisting, procedural patient care, and working with your hands, this is an opportunity to build advanced skills alongside experienced veterinary professionals in a 24/7 Emergency & Specialty hospital.

You'll support surgical patients throughout preparation, procedures, recovery, and post-operative care while gaining exposure to advanced soft tissue, orthopedic, and Specialty Surgery cases.

What You Bring

• Previous hands-on Veterinary Assistant, Vet Tech, or veterinary clinical experience.
• Surgical assisting or veterinary Surgery experience strongly preferred.
• Anesthesia and patient monitoring experience preferred.
• Strong animal restraint, venipuncture, IV catheter, medication, and patient care skills.
• Understanding of aseptic technique, sterile preparation, and surgical instrumentation is a plus.
• Surgery, Anesthesia, Specialty, Emergency, ER/ECC, ICU, or Critical Care experience is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail, communication, organization, and teamwork.
• Ability to work efficiently while maintaining a high standard of patient care.

Veterinary Technician or RVT credentialing is welcome but not required for this Veterinary Assistant position.

In Your Day-to-Day, You Will

• Assist the Surgery team with preparation and care of surgical patients.
• Prepare patients, treatment areas, surgical suites, equipment, and supplies for procedures.
• Assist with patient restraint, venipuncture, IV catheter placement, sample collection, and treatments within your permitted scope.
• Support anesthesia preparation, monitoring, patient positioning, and recovery.
• Assist with surgical procedures while maintaining sterile and aseptic technique.
• Clean, sterilize, organize, and maintain surgical instruments and equipment.
• Provide hands‑on nursing care for pre-operative and post-operative patients.
• Monitor patient comfort and recovery and communicate changes to the medical team.
• Assist with diagnostic imaging and other components of surgical case preparation.

Why Surgery at VERC

Working in Specialty Surgery provides exposure to advanced procedures, anesthesia, surgical nursing, and complex patient care that can significantly expand your veterinary technical skills.

You’ll work alongside an experienced surgical team while developing skills applicable to Surgery, Anesthesia, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, and other areas of Specialty Veterinary Medicine.

Benefits & Professional Growth

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible team members
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Disability and life insurance
• VetBloom continuing education
• Continuing Education and professional development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee pet benefits where eligible
• Career growth throughout VERC and Ethos Veterinary Health

Location Highlight

VERC is located in Honolulu and welcomes veterinary professionals from throughout Oahu, including Pearl City, Aiea, Waipahu, Mililani, Kapolei, Ewa Beach, Kailua, Kaneohe, Hawaii Kai, and surrounding communities.

About Ethos Veterinary Health

Ethos Veterinary Health, part of the NVA Group, is a network of Specialty and Emergency veterinary hospitals committed to advancing veterinary medicine through exceptional patient care, collaboration, education, and innovation.

Join Us

If you’re an experienced Veterinary Assistant or Vet Tech interested in Surgery, surgical assisting, anesthesia, Specialty Medicine, Emergency Medicine, or advanced patient care, we’d love to hear from you.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ethos Veterinary Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, competence, merit, and business need.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ethos Veterinary Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, competence, merit, and business need.