Veterinary Assistant / Veterinary Receptionist

Western Veterinary Partners; Portsmouth (VA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to $500 bonus

Health/dental/vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401k with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Churchland Animal Clinic in Portsmouth, VA seeks an experienced Veterinary Assistant / Veterinary Receptionist to support front desk, exam rooms, outpatient and surgical workflows with a focus on exceptional client and patient experiences. You will greet clients, assist veterinarians during procedures, maintain accurate medical records, educate owners, and keep exam rooms and treatment areas clean and ready.

This full-time role offers a flexible schedule and a competitive compensation package.

Qualifications

• 1+ years veterinary assistant or reception experience preferred.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong client communication and education skills.

Responsibilities

• Greet clients and support front desk operations.
• Assist veterinarians during outpatient procedures and surgery.
• Maintain accurate medical records and documentation.
• Educate clients and maintain exam rooms and treatment areas.
• Manage exam room and outpatient workflow.

Skills

Compassionate communication

Multitasking

Phone-line management

Dependable attendance

Safe animal handling

Exam room management

Medical records accuracy

Job description

Churchland Animal Clinic is seeking an experienced Veterinary Assistant / Veterinary Receptionist to join our team and help create exceptional experiences for clients and patients across exam room and surgical workflows.

We are seeking a skilled, confident assistant with a strong customer service mentality who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is equally comfortable at the front desk as they are in the exam room working hands on with patients and clients. In this position, you will play a critical role in greeting clients as they arrive and also supporting efficient hospital operations in appointments, delivering high-quality patient care and handling, and contributing meaningfully to a collaborative, energetic team.

In this position, you will take an active role in:

• Supporting efficient front desk, exam room, outpatient, and surgical workflows throughout the day
• Assisting veterinarians during outpatient procedures, treatments, and surgical cases
• Maintaining accurate, thorough medical records and treatment documentation
• Building positive client relationships through education, communication, and attentive service
• Maintaining clean, organized, and fully prepared exam rooms, treatment areas, and procedural spaces

Schedule and compensation:

• Compensation: $16.00 – $19.00 per hour, for each hour worked
• This is afull-time positionwith aflexible schedule (offering 4x10s, 5x8s, late starts, or even 3 late shifts each week), and availability needed Monday–Saturday.
  • Standard shifts run 7:30 AM–6:00 PM, with extended evening availability needed on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday until 9:00 PM.
  • Saturday coverage required the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month, 7:30 AM–2:00 PM.

Full-time Benefits Package:

• Bonus package: Up to $500 depending on prior veterinary assistant experience
• Health package: Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance and disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401k with company match
• Paid time off in accordance with site policy and applicable law

Part-time team members may be eligible for limited benefits in accordance with company policy and state law.

Minimum qualifications and skill set:

• 1+ years of veterinary assistant or related veterinary reception experience is preferred
• Proficiency in the following skills:
  • Compassionate, professional client communication and education
  • Ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced environment
  • Ability to manage a multi-phone line system while assisting in-person clients
  • Dependable attendance and strong work ethic
  • Safe, gentle animal handling and restraint for dogs and cats of varying sizes and temperament
  • Exam room management and outpatient workflow support
  • Accurate medical record keeping and treatment documentation
  • Physical ability to stand, bend, lift, and restrain patients safely throughout the workday

About Churchland Animal Clinic

Churchland Animal Clinic in Portsmouth, VA is a well-established small animal practice known for its strong team culture, loyal client base, and commitment to high-quality, personalized care. Our 2-doctor team is supported by an experienced and tenured staff, including skilled credentialed technicians who play an integral role in patient care and surgery. We offer a full range of services including wellness care, soft tissue surgery, dentistry, and in-house diagnostics — all within a structured and efficient workflow.

What truly sets us apart is our culture — our team is energetic, collaborative, and genuinely enjoys working together in a fast-paced, supportive environment. With no on-call or emergency hours and a strong emphasis on teamwork and communication, Churchland Animal Clinic is an ideal setting for a motivated assistant who thrives in a lively, community-focused practice where your contributions truly matter.

This is a good-faith estimate based on the role's requirements at the time of posting. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. The Company offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include medical, dental, and vision benefits, vacation, sick leave, 401(k), and other benefits depending on role and location. A complete description of benefits available for this position will be provided during the hiring process. Where required under applicable law, Company provides eligible employees with paid sick leave, health emergency leave, and other legally mandated benefits programs, all in accordance with the requirements of applicable state and local law depending on the location of the practice you support.

Pay Range

$16 - $19 USD

Western Veterinary Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Western Veterinary Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in the job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact [e-mail]. Hiring decisions will be based on merit, qualifications and the legitimate needs of the business.

Voluntary Self-Identification

As an equal opportunity employer, we invite applicants to voluntarily self-identify demographic information for compliance and reporting purposes. Completion of this form is entirely voluntary and refusal to provide this information will not subject you to any adverse treatment.

Any information provided will be kept confidential and maintained in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. This information will not be used in making hiring decisions.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.