Veterinary Assistant Surgery (anesthesia capable)

Veterinary Healthcare of New Hampshire, P.C.; United States; On-site; USD 26,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Paid sick days

Paid parental leave

Fertility benefits

Paid bereavement days

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Pet discounts

Job summary

VCA Capital Area Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Animal Hospital is seeking a compassionate anesthesia experienced Veterinary Assistant to join our surgery team. You will assist from prep to recovery, restrain and comfort patients, and run anesthesia on surgical cases to keep procedures efficient in a fast-paced specialty setting.

Join a team of board-certified surgeons and skilled technicians, gaining hands-on experience with advanced veterinary procedures and career growth opportunities

Qualifications

• Has anesthesia experience in a surgical setting.
• Able to restrain and handle patients safely during pre-op, surgery, and recovery.
• Prepares patients for surgery including clipping and positioning, maintains a clean environment.
• Runs anesthesia on surgical cases and assists to keep cases running smoothly.
• Sterilizes and organizes surgical instruments and equipment, including autoclave operation.

Responsibilities

• Restrains and handles patients safely during pre-op, procedures, and recovery.
• Preps patients for surgery, including clipping and positioning, while maintaining a clean and organized environment.
• Runs anesthesia on surgical cases throughout assisting wherever needed to keep cases running smoothly.
• Sterilizes, packs, and organizes surgical instruments and equipment, including autoclave operation.
• Sets up and breaks down surgical suites, maintaining supplies and equipment readiness between cases.
• Assists with patient monitoring during recovery, observing comfort and status.
• Supports post-operative patient care, including bandaging and comfort care for recovering patients.
• Maintains accurate records and communicates with surgical team.
• Assists with client updates around surgical intake and discharge.

Skills

Anesthesia experience

Patient restraint

Surgical prep

Post-op monitoring

Sterilization & instruments

Patient care communication

Autoclave operation

Tools

Autoclave operation

Job description

VCA Capital Area Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Animal Hospital is seeking a compassionate and dedicated anesthesia experienced Veterinary Assistant to join our surgery team. Working as a veterinary assistant in a specialty surgery department means being part of the action from prep to recovery — restraining and comforting patients, run anesthesia on surgical cases throughout assisting wherever needed to keep cases running smoothly, so the team can focus on complex, often life-saving surgeries. You'll see advanced procedures most assistants never get exposed to, work shoulder-to-shoulder with board-certified surgeons and experienced technicians, and build hands-on skills that set you apart in the field. It's fast-paced, hugely rewarding, and every day gives you a front-row seat to some of the most advanced veterinary medicine out there.

Compensation: $20.00 - $32.00 / hour dependent on experience, and skill set. Potential Schedule: Full-time, (3) 12s Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Learn more about us here: https://vcahospitals.com/capital-area-emergency

Veterinary Assistant Skills - Surgery Department

• Restrains and handles patients safely and calmly during pre-op prep, procedures, and recovery
• Preps patients for surgery, including clipping and positioning, while maintaining a clean and organized environment
• Runs anesthesia on surgical cases throughout assisting wherever needed to keep cases running smoothly
• Sterilizes, packs, and organizes surgical instruments and equipment, including autoclave operation
• Sets up and breaks down surgical suites, maintaining supplies and equipment readiness between cases
• Assists with patient monitoring during recovery, observing comfort, wound sites, and overall status
• Supports post-operative patient care, including bandaging assistance, comfort care, and husbandry for recovering patients
• Maintains accurate records and communicates clearly with the surgical technician and veterinary team
• Assists with client updates and coordination around surgical patient intake and discharge
• Stays composed and efficient in a fast-paced, high-stakes surgical environment

VCA Total Rewards Benefits Package

Career Growth & Education

• VCA-sponsored Veterinary Technician National Exam + employer-paid test prep
• Paid yearly NAVTA membership & state credential renewal
• VCA-sponsored scholarships and generous discounts to Penn Foster's Veterinary Technician Program
• Woof University: free, RACE-approved CE, training and job support webinars on demand
• Free subscriptions to Vetfolio and Plumb's online formulary, plus substantial VETgirl savings
• Unlimited access to Mars Veterinary Health library (2,000+ journals, 600+ textbooks)
• Nationwide hospital transfer opportunities

Time Off & Family Support

• Paid vacation and paid sick days
• Paid parental leave & fertility benefits
• Paid bereavement days

Health & Wellness

• Free mental health support through the Cigna Life Assistance Program & Lyra
• Free Headspace subscription (meditation and sleep support)

Perks for You & Your Pets

• Generous hospital discounts for your personal pets, including free vaccines
• Discounted Hills or Royal Canin pet food delivered to your home
• 3 pairs of scrubs per year

Compensation & Financial Security

• 401(k) retirement savings with employer contribution
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with HSA/FSA options
• Multiple, flexible health insurance plans to fit your needs
• 100% employer-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Employer-paid basic life insurance ...and more!

Take a moment to watch what life as a veterinary technician at VCA looks like, straight from a technician's point of view: https://vimeo.com/684755121/10c909cb5

Why VCA

VCA is one of the largest networks of animal hospitals in the country — but you'd never know it from the way we operate. Every hospital keeps its own identity, its own team, and its own culture, while giving you access to the resources, mentorship, and career opportunities of a national organization behind you. You get the best of both: the tight-knit feel of a local practice and the backing, benefits, and growth potential of an industry leader.

We're genuinely invested in your career — not just your job. From continuing education to credential support to nationwide transfer opportunities if life takes you somewhere new, we build the kind of support system that helps technicians build real, lasting careers, not just punch a clock. This is a place where your work is seen, your growth is prioritized, and your future in this field matters to us.

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

Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!

A leader in veterinary care, VCA Animal Hospitals is committed to taking care of the future of veterinary medicine. We are a family of hometown animal hospitals determined to positively impact pets, people and our communities. From primary care to emergency, urgent and specialty care, VCA delivers world-class medicine and hometown care to more than four million pets each year. We invest in cutting-edge tools, training and technology that enable Associates across our national network of hospitals to lead the industry today and into tomorrow. Among our talented 35,000 Associates are nearly 7,000 veterinarians – including 500 who are board-certified specialists – nearly 4,000 credentialed technicians and over 10,000 veterinary assistants – all dedicated to giving pets the very best in medical care.

The future of veterinary medicine is in our hands. Join us.