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Veterinary Nurse Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$16 - $20/hr

Associate's degree in animal care/veterinary technology/veterinary assistant and at least one year of veterinary experience * OR three or more years of experience as a veterinary nurse or assistant ...

The Veterinary Nurse is responsible for the record keeping and medical treatment of adult dogs in ... Maintain medical equipment and assist Veterinary Services Manager in reaching out to vendors * for ...

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Veterinary Nurse Assistant information

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How much do veterinary nurse assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for veterinary nurse 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.

How to become a veterinary nurse assistant?

To become a veterinary nurse assistant, you need either a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree in veterinary science. Upon receiving this degree, you then need to practice as a student for a period determined by the state in which you intend to practice. There is no federally-mandated period of training or practice to become a vet aide. However, if you want to provide care to animals, you need to pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam. This exam, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, consists of multiple-choice questions in nine sections devoted to a specific area of animal care, such as anesthesia, emergency medicine, and pharmacology.

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

To thrive as a Veterinary Nurse Assistant, you need foundational knowledge of animal care, basic medical procedures, and a high school diploma or equivalent, with many employers preferring candidates with a veterinary assistant certification. Familiarity with veterinary practice management software, laboratory equipment, and animal restraint tools is typically required. Compassion, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for supporting both animals and veterinary teams. These competencies are essential for ensuring animal well-being, smooth clinic operations, and positive client experiences.

Is it hard to get a job as a veterinary nurse assistant?

Securing a position as a veterinary nurse assistant can be competitive, often requiring relevant experience, animal care knowledge, and sometimes certification. Entry-level roles are available, but candidates with strong communication skills and a willingness to learn tend to have better prospects.

What are some common challenges veterinary nurse assistants face when working in a busy animal clinic?

Veterinary Nurse Assistants often encounter fast-paced environments where they must juggle multiple responsibilities, such as assisting with patient care, managing anxious pet owners, and maintaining sterile conditions. Balancing these tasks while ensuring the well-being of both animals and clients can be demanding, especially during emergencies or peak hours. Effective communication and teamwork with veterinarians and fellow staff members are essential to provide high-quality care and manage workflow efficiently.

What is a veterinary nurse assistant?

Veterinary Nurse Assistants are support professionals who work alongside veterinarians and veterinary nurses to care for animals in clinics, hospitals, or shelters. Their duties include assisting with animal handling, preparing equipment, maintaining clean environments, and sometimes helping during procedures. They play a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of animals and supporting the veterinary team in day-to-day operations. While they do not perform medical procedures independently, their work is essential for efficient and compassionate animal care.

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

AspectVeterinary Nurse AssistantVeterinary Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingAssociate degree in veterinary technology; certification often required
Work EnvironmentAssist veterinarians and veterinary nurses in clinics, animal hospitals, sheltersPerform more advanced medical procedures, diagnostics, and patient care
Employer & Industry UsageVeterinary clinics, animal shelters, pet hospitalsVeterinary hospitals, specialty clinics, research facilities

Veterinary Nurse Assistants typically support veterinary teams with basic animal care and clerical tasks, requiring minimal formal education. Veterinary Technicians have more advanced training and perform diagnostic tests, administer medications, and assist in surgeries. Both roles are essential in veterinary settings, but Veterinary Technicians have a broader scope of practice and responsibilities.

What cities are hiring for Veterinary Nurse Assistant jobs? Cities with the most Veterinary Nurse Assistant job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Veterinary Nurse jobs? The most popular types of Veterinary Nurse jobs are:
What states have the most Veterinary Nurse Assistant jobs? States with the most job openings for Veterinary Nurse Assistant jobs include:
Infographic showing various Veterinary Nurse Assistant job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% 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 Nurse - Anesthesia and Surgery

Central Texas Veterinary Specialty & Emergency

Austin, TX

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

Central Texas Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital - South

  • Veterinary Nurse – Surgery/Anesthesia
  • Full-Time
  • Four 10-Hour Shifts (Monday–Thursday, 7:00 AM–6:00 pm)
  • On-Call Required

Please note: Department hours are subject to change based on the needs of the hospital.

 

About Us

Central Texas Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital- South Austin is a fast-paced, 24-hour emergency and specialty veterinary hospital providing advanced surgical care for both scheduled elective procedures and emergency cases. Our Surgery Department is committed to delivering exceptional patient care through advanced nursing, collaboration, and clinical excellence.

We are seeking an experienced, highly skilled Veterinary Nurse with a strong foundation in anesthesia and perioperative nursing. This is not an entry-level surgical position. The ideal candidate is an established veterinary nurse who thrives in a specialty environment, possesses advanced critical thinking skills, and is passionate about providing exceptional patient care.

 

About You

You are an experienced veterinary nurse who is confident managing anesthesia independently and understands the unique demands of specialty and emergency surgery. You possess excellent technical skills, remain composed in high-pressure situations, and recognize subtle patient changes before they become critical.

You enjoy working alongside surgeons, emergency clinicians, and fellow nurses in a collaborative environment where teamwork and communication are essential. You take pride in delivering high-quality patient care while maintaining a positive attitude and supporting those around you.

Because we are a collaborative hospital, you are also willing to assist other departments during slower surgical periods to ensure exceptional patient care throughout the hospital.

Required Experience & Qualifications

  • Minimum 3 years of recent veterinary nursing experience
  • Minimum 2 years of veterinary surgical/anesthesia experience in a specialty, emergency, or high-volume surgical setting preferred
  • Demonstrated experience independently managing anesthesia for ASA I–IV patients
  • Advanced understanding of anesthetic pharmacology, physiology, pain management, and patient monitoring
  • Strong knowledge of perioperative nursing from patient admission through recovery
  • Experience with emergency surgical procedures and critically ill patients preferred
  • Proficient in venipuncture, IV catheter placement, urinary catheter placement, and sample collection
  • Strong medical mathematics skills, including advanced drug calculations
  • Experience calculating, preparing, and managing Continuous Rate Infusions (CRIs), including vasoactive medications, analgesics, and anesthetic adjuncts
  • Comfortable interpreting patient trends and responding appropriately to anesthetic complications
  • Working knowledge of surgical instrumentation, aseptic technique, diagnostic imaging, and laboratory procedures
  • Excellent communication and documentation skills
  • Ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced emergency environment
  • Positive attitude with a strong commitment to teamwork and continuous learning
  • High School Diploma or GED required
  • Credentialed Veterinary Technician (LVT/RVT/CVT) preferred but not required

Essential Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Independently manage anesthesia for a wide range of elective, specialty, and emergency surgical procedures.
  • Creating anesthetic protocols for safe and effective anesthesia/analgesia
  • Safely anesthetize and monitor patients ranging from ASA Physical Status I through IV, recognizing and responding appropriately to anesthetic complications.
  • Calculate, prepare, administer, and monitor anesthetic agents, emergency medications, CRIs, blood products, and intravenous fluids.
  • Calculate and manage CRIs, including analgesic, anesthetic, cardiovascular, and critical care infusions.
  • Perform comprehensive pre-anesthetic assessments and ensure patients are properly prepared for surgery.
  • Place intravenous catheters, obtain diagnostic samples, and perform other advanced nursing procedures.
  • Continuously monitor ECG, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, capnography, temperature, ventilation, perfusion, and anesthetic depth throughout procedures.
  • Provide exceptional perioperative nursing care, including patient positioning, aseptic preparation, recovery, pain assessment, and post-operative monitoring.
  • Recognize patient deterioration early and communicate effectively with the surgical team.
  • Maintain accurate anesthetic records and complete medical documentation.
  • Prepare surgical suites, anesthesia equipment, and monitoring devices to specialty standards.
  • Maintain and troubleshoot anesthesia machines, ventilators, monitoring equipment, and surgical instrumentation.
  • Educate and communicate compassionately with pet owners regarding surgical procedures, anesthesia, recovery expectations, and discharge instructions as directed.
  • Maintain strict adherence to hospital safety, anesthesia, and infection-control protocols.
  • Foster a positive, collaborative work environment by supporting fellow team members and contributing to departmental success.
  • Assist other hospital departments during slower surgical periods as patient care demands require

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is someone who:

  • Demonstrates advanced nursing knowledge and sound clinical judgment.
  • Is confident in managing complex anesthesia cases with minimal supervision.
  • Maintains composure during emergency procedures and rapidly changing patient conditions.
  • Is energetic, dependable, and brings a positive attitude to the team every day.
  • Takes initiative and enjoys teaching, mentoring, and learning.
  • Values collaboration and understanding that excellent patient care is achieved through teamwork.
  • Is committed to maintaining the highest standards of specialty veterinary medicine.

Benefits

  • Complimentary Short-Term Disability
  • Complimentary Life Insurance; with options to purchase additional voluntary benefits for self or family 
  • Company Sponsored Employee Assistance Program (Headspace)
  • 401K with 100% company match up to 3% and 4% company match for your 5% of contributions, eligible after 6 months of employment
  • Florida Blue Insurance Plans with 3-tiered options; Kaiser for CA Residents
  • Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account or Health Reimbursement Account  options 
  • United Healthcare Dental Insurance; includes a 100% paid premium option for team members
  • United Healthcare Vision Insurance options
  • Long Term Disability option (paid for by employee)
  • Progyny-Fertility and Family Building Support
  • Team Member Discounts for Pet Care
  • Paid time off-inclusive of sick, personal, and vacation
  • Digital Musculoskeletal Support
  • Referral Bonus Program
  • DailyPay on Demand
  • Pay: up to $25/hr, depending on experience