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Veterinary Care Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Innovetive Petcare

Veterinary Assistant

Richmond, VA · On-site

$14 - $15/hr

This role is ideal for someone passionate about animal care, eager to learn, and motivated to support veterinarians and technicians in delivering exceptional patient care. * Assist veterinarians and ...

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.

5280 Veterinary Care

Veterinary Assistant

Denver, CO · On-site

$23 - $25/hr

. Veterinary Assistant 5280 Veterinary Care is hiring a full-time Vet Assistant to work alongside our team of experienced veterinarians, skilled technicians, and devoted support staff to ensure each ...

5280 Veterinary Care

Veterinary Assistant

Denver, CO · On-site

$23 - $25/hr

. Veterinary Assistant 5280 Veterinary Care is hiring a full-time Vet Assistant to work alongside our team of experienced veterinarians, skilled technicians, and devoted support staff to ensure each ...

NewDay Veterinary Care

Veterinarian

Fleming Island, FL · 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

Sharpsburg, GA · 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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$10

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$23

How much do veterinary care assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 3, 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 are Veterinary Care Assistants?

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 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Veterinary Care Assistant, and why are they important?

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 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.

More about Veterinary Care Assistant jobs
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:
What job categories do people searching Veterinary Care Assistant jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Veterinary Care Assistant jobs are:
Veterinary Care Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Veterinary Care Assistant job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,859 per year, or $17.2 per hour.

Veterinary Care Assistant

EverVet Partners

Portland, MI

$16 - $18/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Why You’ll Love this Veterinary Care Assistant Job!     
If you are passionate about animals and excited about the opportunity to interact with a variety of pets, then our Veterinary Care Assistant position is the one for you! 

When you become a part of Portland Veterinary Service, an EverVet Partner, you'll join a supportive community dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of pets and their owners.  As a Veterinary Care Assistant, you'll play a pivotal role in our veterinary team, ensuring exceptional service to our clients while maintaining the highest standards of care. Your responsibilities will include assisting doctors and technicians, managing patient restraint, aiding in radiology, communicating with clients, conducting medical procedures, maintaining equipment and inventory, and providing daily treatments to hospitalized patients. 

Don't miss out on this opportunity!  Apply for the Veterinary Care Assistant position today! 

Pay Range:  Insert Pay Range / hour
Benefits:  
  • Paid Time Off 
  • Medical, Dental, Vision with a Health Savings Account* 
  • Employee Assistant Program available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week* 
  • Supplemental Life Insurance & AD&D Insurance* 
  • 401K Plan with Generous Employer Match  
  • Maternity Leave * 
  • Bereavement Leave  
  • Life, Short Term, & Disability Insurance* 
  • Discount Programs  
  • Discounted Veterinary Care  
  • On-Demand Pay Options  
  • Referral Bonus  
Career Enhancement Benefits: 
  • The opportunity for full tuition payment to attend Penn Foster's veterinary technician program*  
  • Access to Zoetis Clinical & Professional Program and Events  
  • Access to a multitude of VMG resources  

*Indicates eligibility for Full-Time positions only 

Responsibilities
  • Restrain/hold animals of several species for examination and treatments 
  • Get weights on all patients prior to examination 
  • Use our radiology software for medical records and submission of studies for review 
  • Take digital photos of procedures/relevant lesions and save to patients' medical records 
  • Run in-house laboratory specimens and record results in patient medical records 
  • Prepare laboratory forms/specimens for out-of-office laboratories (Antech and others) 
  • Help administer treatments (oral/fluids/injections/baths) under direction of DVM/LVT 
  • Assist in monitoring anesthetized patients 
  • Shave animals for surgery and scrub surgical sites 
  • Manage post-op cleaning and preparation of packs 
  • Complete progress forms for in-hospital/anesthetic patients 
  • Keep patients comfortable, fed, watered and clean 
  • Log controlled drugs (when authorized to do so, under direction of an LVT/DVM) 
  • Setup medications/fill prescriptions (when authorized to do so) 
  • Monitor inventory, rotation and expiration dates and report needs 
  • Stock exam rooms/treatment/surgery/radiology rooms as necessary 
  • Assist in ordering of food/supplies/medications as requested 
  • Assist in maintenance of areas outside of hospital (walks, parking, runs) 
Required Skills
  • High School Diploma, GED, or suitable equivalent 
  • Veterinary Assistant Certification preferred 
  • At least one year experience preferred 
  • Experience handling a variety of animals 
  • Strong customer service skills 
  • Ability to communicate effectively 
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds 
  • Basic math and writing skills 
  • Ability to express compassion 
  • Basic understanding of diseases/medications/anesthesia 
  • Understanding of vaccinations, basic laboratory tests, common diseases and pet behavior 
  • Knowledge of computer software (Infinity and Office programs)