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Veterinary Care Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

NewDay Veterinary Care

Veterinarian

Greenville, SC · On-site

Practice in accordance with evidence-based medicine and the professional standards of care. * Assist in creation and implementation of continued enhancement of veterinary best practice guidelines.

NewDay Veterinary Care

Veterinarian

Greenville, SC · On-site

Practice in accordance with evidence-based medicine and the professional standards of care. * Assist in creation and implementation of continued enhancement of veterinary best practice guidelines.

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Veterinary Care Assistant information

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How much do veterinary care assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for veterinary care assistant in the United States is $17.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.14 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a veterinary care assistant?

Veterinary Care Assistants (VCAs) are support staff in veterinary practices who help veterinarians and veterinary nurses care for animals. Their duties typically include feeding and exercising animals, cleaning kennels, assisting with routine procedures, and maintaining equipment and supplies. VCAs play a vital role in ensuring the well-being of animal patients and the smooth operation of the clinic. They do not diagnose or prescribe treatments but are essential team members who assist with day-to-day animal care tasks.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a veterinary care assistant?

To thrive as a Veterinary Care Assistant, you need basic animal care knowledge, manual dexterity, and often a relevant qualification such as an animal care certificate. Familiarity with veterinary practice management software, animal restraint techniques, and sterilization equipment is commonly required. Compassion, patience, and strong communication skills help you support both animals and their owners effectively. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring animal welfare, smooth clinic operations, and positive client experiences.

What are some common challenges veterinary care assistants face, and how can they effectively manage them?

Veterinary Care Assistants often juggle multiple responsibilities, such as assisting with animal handling, maintaining cleanliness, and supporting veterinary staff during procedures. A common challenge is managing the emotional demands of caring for sick or injured animals while maintaining professionalism with clients. Effective time management, clear communication with team members, and developing coping strategies for emotional stress are key to success in this role. Many clinics also offer mentorship and training to help assistants build resilience and grow their skills.

What is the difference between Veterinary Care Assistant vs Veterinary Technician?

AspectVeterinary Care AssistantVeterinary Technician
CredentialsTypically no formal certification required, on-the-job trainingRequires certification or associate degree in veterinary technology
Work EnvironmentAssist with basic animal care, cleaning, and client communicationPerform diagnostic tests, administer medications, assist in surgeries
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly employed in clinics, animal hospitals, sheltersOften work alongside veterinarians in similar settings

The main difference between a Veterinary Care Assistant and a Veterinary Technician lies in their qualifications and responsibilities. Veterinary Care Assistants typically have less formal training and focus on basic animal care and support tasks. Veterinary Technicians have specialized training and perform more complex medical procedures. Both roles are essential in veterinary practices, but Veterinary Technicians usually have a broader scope of practice and responsibilities.

Can I be a veterinary care assistant with no experience?

Veterinary care assistants often do not need prior experience, as on-the-job training is common. Basic skills such as animal handling, communication, and a willingness to learn are important, and some employers may prefer candidates with related certifications or coursework. Entry-level positions typically focus on supporting veterinary staff and gaining practical experience.

How do you become a veterinary care assistant?

To become a veterinary care assistant, individuals typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and may pursue on-the-job training or certification programs. Relevant skills include animal handling, basic medical knowledge, and good communication, with some employers preferring prior experience or certification in animal care or veterinary assisting.

Where do veterinary care assistants make the most money?

Veterinary care assistants tend to earn higher salaries in regions with a higher cost of living and greater demand for veterinary services, such as urban areas or states with a strong pet care industry. Salary levels can also be influenced by experience, certifications, and the size of the veterinary practice or hospital.

What cities are hiring for Veterinary Care Assistant jobs?

Cities with the most Veterinary Care Assistant job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Veterinary Care jobs?

The most popular types of Veterinary Care jobs are:

What states have the most Veterinary Care Assistant jobs?

States with the most job openings for Veterinary Care Assistant jobs include:

Veterinary Care Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Veterinary Care Assistant job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,859 per year, or $17.2 per hour.

Veterinary Care Assistant 2

Ohio State University

Columbus, OH • On-site

$18 - $20.74/hr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Screen reader users may encounter difficulty with this site. For assistance with applying, please contact hr-accessibleapplication@osu.edu. If you have questions while submitting an application, please review these frequently asked questions.

Current Employees and Students:

If you are currently employed or enrolled as a student at The Ohio State University, please log in to Workday to use the internal application process.

Welcome to The Ohio State University's career site. We invite you to apply to positions of interest. In order to ensure your application is complete, you must complete the following:

  • Ensure you have all necessary documents available when starting the application process. You can review the additional job description section on postings for documents that may be required.

  • Prior to submitting your application, please review and update (if necessary) the information in your candidate profile as it will transfer to your application.

Job Title:Veterinary Care Assistant 2Department:Veterinary Medical Center | Large Animal Basic Service

The College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Medical Center seeks a Veterinary Assistant to join the Large Animal team. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to assist in the provision of care to ill and injured animals as well as providing assistance to clinicians, staff and professional students in the day to day operations of the Veterinary Medical Center. Work includes:

  • Provide basic patient care functions

  • Assist with patient assessment, restraint, and treatments

  • Comfort, groom, and care for hospitalized patients

  • Monitor patients and notify higher level technician or veterinarian of any unusual changes or symptoms

  • Transport patients within the Veterinary Medical Center

  • Stock supplies including feed, medical supplies and equipment

  • Clean and disinfect treatment areas, animals housing units, adjacent areas and supporting equipment following prescribed sanitation procedures and observing rules of epidemiology to prevent spread of disease

  • Carry out prescribed bedding

  • Walk patients and provide clean housing, food, and water at all times

  • Perform daily cleaning of outdoor areas and VMC entrances

  • Clean all animal areas including windows, floors, light covers, ledges, hallways, vents, receiving rooms etc.; notify supervisor of need for non-routine repairs

  • Assist with laundry

Hiring Range - $18.00 - $20.74 per hour

Additional Information:

Physical Requirements:

  • Standing for long periods of time
  • Pushing/pulling/lifting up to 75 pounds
  • Exposure to animal dander and/or zoonotic diseases
  • Exposure to needle sticks
  • Hazardous chemicals, and/or bio hazard waste

Desired Experience:

  • One year experience working in a veterinary hospital or veterinary practice
  • Large animal handling experience
Location:Veterinary Medical Center (0299)Position Type:RegularScheduled Hours:40Shift:Varying Shifts

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

Thank you for your interest in positions at The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by visiting the Candidate Home section of this site. Please view your submitted applications by logging in and reviewing your status. For answers to additional questions please review the frequently asked questions.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.

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