Entry Level Veterinary Assistant Jobs in Washington, DC

Experienced Veterinary Assistant - Surgery & Anesthesia Monitoring Required
Compensation: The pay range for this position is $28.50-$22/hr
VCA Commonwealth Animal Hospital is seeking an experienced Veterinary Assistant to join our team. We are looking for a highly skilled assistant who is passionate about delivering exceptional patient care and has hands-on experience independently monitoring anesthesia for surgical procedures. This is not an entry-level position. Applicants must have prior experience monitoring anesthetized patients during routine and advanced surgical procedures, recognizing changes in patient status, and communicating effectively with the veterinarian to help ensure patient safety throughout anesthesia and recovery. The successful candidate will support our veterinarians and licensed technicians by providing exceptional patient care while helping create a positive, low-stress environment for our clients and patients.
Responsibilities include:

• Prepare surgical patients and the surgical suite.
• Assist with anesthesia induction and recovery under veterinarian direction.
• Independently monitor anesthesia during surgical procedures, including recording and interpreting vital signs, recognizing anesthetic complications, and immediately communicating concerns to the veterinarian.
• Maintain accurate anesthesia logs and medical records.
• Perform laboratory procedures and diagnostic imaging.
• Fill prescriptions and prepare medications as directed.
• Assist with patient treatments, nursing care, and restraint.
• Provide compassionate care for hospitalized and boarding patients.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe treatment and surgical environment.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 2 years of experience as a Veterinary Assistant in a general practice or specialty hospital.
• Previous experience independently monitoring anesthesia for veterinary surgical patients is required.
• Working knowledge of anesthetic monitoring equipment, anesthetic protocols, patient recovery, and surgical nursing.
• Strong technical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Experience assisting with dentistry and dental radiography is strongly preferred.

At VCA, your passion for veterinary medicine and compassion for pets and people are matched by our commitment to your professional growth.

• Work alongside an experienced team utilizing advanced surgical, imaging, and patient monitoring equipment.
• Gain exposure to a diverse and rewarding caseload.
• Learn from a network of more than 4,500 veterinarians, including 600+ boarded specialists.
• Take advantage of continuing education, career advancement, transfer opportunities, specialization, and leadership development.

We offer competitive compensation and an outstanding benefits package for eligible employees, including medical, dental, vision, generous personal pet care discounts, continuing education opportunities, paid time off, 401(k), and much more.
If you're an experienced Veterinary Assistant who enjoys surgery, anesthesia, and providing exceptional patient care, we'd love to hear from you!
If you are a current associate, you need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs.
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!
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.