Veterinary Assistant Training Program

Lawrence, MA

Full Time

Veterinary Assistant Training Program

Entry Level

Veterinary Assistant | Starting at $15.75/hour
Location: Lawrence, Massachusetts
Schedule: Full-Time | Morning, afternoon, and evening shifts
Compensation: Starting at $15.75/hour + Increase after AVA Certification Completion

Bulger Veterinary Hospital is hiring full-time entry-level Veterinary Assistants to join our team in Lawrence, Massachusetts. This opportunity includes a paid 24-month veterinary training program designed for individuals looking to start a career in animal healthcare.

No previous veterinary hospital or animal experience is required. Through structured online learning, hands-on training, mentorship, and clinical experience, you’ll develop foundational veterinary skills while working toward becoming a Level 1 Veterinary Technician within Ethos Veterinary Health.

Compensation

Starting at $15.75/hour
Compensation will increase by $1/hour within 30 days of successfully passing the Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) exam

Full-Time Benefits:

Continuing Education & Uniform Allowance + Free VetBloom access (RACE-approved CE)
CVT/LVT/RVT license reimbursement
RECOVER Training for advanced CPR skills
Veterinary Technician Education Sponsorships + VTNE reimbursement + VTS Support
16-Week VTNE Study Group
Professional Development Assistance
Generous PTO + Paid Holidays
Employee Referral Bonuses + Employee Pet Discount
Access exclusive financial benefits to help you save on student loans, mortgages, and personal loans
NVA Pet Resort Discount + Pet Insurance Discount
Medical, Dental, Vision + HSA/FSA Options
Insurance Options: Life and AD&D + Short & Long-Term Disability + Critical Illness + Accident + Hospital Indemnity
401(k) with employer match
Employee Assistance Program

Schedule

Full-time schedule
Combination of morning, afternoon, and evening shifts required
Holiday coverage required up to 3 holidays annually

Responsibilities
As a Veterinary Assistant, you’ll support veterinarians, Veterinary Technicians, and hospital teams while learning foundational skills in patient care, animal handling, and veterinary medicine.

Maintain a safe and clean hospital environment, including laundry, floors, cages, and patient care areas
Assist with basic animal handling and restraint
Provide basic animal husbandry and patient hygiene support
Perform basic record-keeping procedures
Ensure proper stocking of medical supplies and hospital resources
Support veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians with daily patient care needs
Build strong communication skills while supporting clients, patients, and hospital teams
Maintain professionalism and compassion when caring for pets and interacting with clients

About the Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) Program

This position includes enrollment in VetBloom’s Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) program, a 6-month blended learning experience combining online education with hands-on veterinary training.
Through this program, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills needed to sit for the national credentialing exam administered by VetMedTeam and overseen by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA).
After successfully passing the exam, you’ll earn the credential of Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) and continue into the Next Step Veterinary Program.

About the Next Step Veterinary Program
The Next Step Veterinary Program is an 18-month advanced training program designed to help you progress from a Level 2 Veterinary Assistant to a Level 1 Veterinary Technician within Ethos Veterinary Health.
Training includes:

Patient Care & Medical Skills:
- Perform nail trims, suture removals, and subcutaneous fluid administration
- Administer oral, IM, SQ, and IV medications
- Place IV catheters and perform venipuncture
- Assist with surgical preparation and anesthesia machine setup
- Conduct basic patient assessments and monitor vital signs
Surgical Support:
- Clean and wrap surgical instruments
- Prepare surgical packs and surgical suites
- Maintain sterility using proper techniques
- Assist with surgical procedures and postoperative patient care
Diagnostic & Laboratory Skills:
- Perform ear cytology and basic diagnostic testing
- Operate blood analyzing equipment and perform routine bloodwork analysis
- Assist with ophthalmologic evaluations
- Learn radiation safety protocols for imaging procedures
Client & Hospital Skills:
- Communicate professionally with clients regarding patient care instructions
- Maintain accurate medical records
- Follow hospital safety and hygiene standards
- Support proper medical waste disposal practices
Veterinary Knowledge Development:
- Learn animal anatomy and common disease processes
- Build understanding of veterinary pharmacology
- Develop safe handling techniques for patients with various medical and behavioral needs

This comprehensive 24-month journey is designed to provide the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to grow as a veterinary professional.

Upon completing the 24-month training program at Bulger Veterinary Hospital, your employment will end. However, you will have the opportunity to apply for positions at any Ethos hospital, including Bulger, as a Level 1 Veterinary Technician, contingent upon successful completion of the program and passing all required assessments.

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent required; candidates from vocational co-op programs will also be considered
No previous veterinary experience required
Interest in building a long-term career in veterinary medicine
Ability to complete online and hands-on training requirements
Ability to perform physical job functions including walking, standing, bending, sitting, writing, hearing, seeing, speaking, and lifting up to 50 pounds
Knowledge and practical application of basic arithmetic, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division required
Positive attitude with self-awareness, authenticity, and compassion toward others
Strong teamwork skills and desire to support pets, clients, and colleagues
Fluent English speaking and reading skills required

About Bulger Veterinary Hospital
Bulger Veterinary Hospital is a multi-specialty and emergency veterinary hospital serving pets and families throughout Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. Our hospital offers advanced diagnostics, specialty medicine, surgery, emergency and critical care, and collaborative treatment planning across services.
We are committed to helping veterinary technicians continue growing their skills while practicing high-quality medicine in a supportive team environment.

Surrounding Areas
Bulger Veterinary Hospital attracts veterinary professionals from across northeastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire, including:

Lawrence, MA & Andover, MA
North Andover, MA & Methuen, MA
Haverhill, MA & Lowell, MA
Dracut, MA & Tewksbury, MA
Salem, NH & Windham, NH
Nashua, NH & Derry, NH
Manchester, NH & Boston North Shore communities

Many of our team members commute from surrounding areas throughout the Merrimack Valley, Greater Boston, and southern New Hampshire.

Considering Relocating?
Great talent can come from anywhere, and we welcome candidates who are considering a move. Whether you're relocating from another city, another state, or across the country, our Talent Acquisition team is here to support you throughout the hiring process and answer questions about the role, the hospital, and the surrounding community.

About Ethos Veterinary Health
Ethos Veterinary Health, part of the NVA Group, is where you come to practice world-class medicine, and help shape what veterinary care becomes next.
Across our network of 140 specialty and emergency hospitals, science moves forward, standards are elevated, and innovation is put into practice every day. You’ll work alongside respected veterinary leaders in academic-caliber hospitals designed for learning, teaching, and discovery.
Here, mentorship is a two-way street. You’ll share your expertise, learn from others, and continue to grow, clinically, professionally, and personally.
At Ethos, you inspire hope, deliver exceptional care, and pursue veterinary medicine at its highest level, together.

Join Us
At Ethos, this isn’t just a job, it’s an opportunity to practice medicine at the highest level and help shape the future of veterinary care.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Ethos is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Ethos does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, competence, merit, and business need.

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Due to the training for our VAs, this Program will include long shifts and varied schedules, do you have flexibility to work morning, afternoon and evenings?*

This program and future employment will also require regular weekend and holiday shifts, do you have the ability to work weekends and holidays for both during the program and future employment?*

Can you give an example of a time when being organized helped you and what organizational tools did you use?*

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Could you please provide an example of a time when you were in a high-pressure emotional situation and how you effectively managed it?*

I understand that this is a comprehensive 24-month program to help equip me with the skills and knowledge needed to excel as a veterinary professional.* I understand that this is a comprehensive 24-month program to help equip me with the skills and knowledge needed to excel as a veterinary professional.

Have you ever been employed by or are you currently employed by NVA or Ethos Veterinary Health? If "yes", please provide the name of your direct manager or Hospital Director, hospital name, and dates you were employed.*

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