Veterinary Assistant, Emergency
Bel Air, MD
Full Time
VA ER
Mid Level
Veterinary Assistant, Emergency
Location: Animal Emergency Hospital - Bel Air, MD
Schedule: Full- time or Part- time available | All shifts | Nights, weekends, and holidays required based on the needs of the hospital
Compensation: $23- 40/hr
Position Overview
Our Veterinary Assistant plays an integral role in supporting quality patient care and operational efficiency within our fast-paced emergency hospital. Working in close collaboration with attending veterinarians and veterinary technicians, this position delivers skilled hands-on patient assistance, helps execute medical treatments, and aids in diagnostic and surgical procedures. In addition to essential clinical nursing support, the Veterinary Assistant proactively anticipates department workflow, assists with patient organization, and fosters a collaborative, supportive team culture under the guidance of our veterinarians and technician leadership.
Responsibilities
Patient Care & Nursing
- Proactively perform treatments listed on both written and electronic charts as assigned by attending veterinarians.
- Proficiently perform venipuncture on canine and feline patients (cephalic, saphenous, and jugular veins) in accordance with hospital technique standards.
- Place intravenous (IV) catheters in large canine patients (>40 lbs) following hospital protocols.
- Calculate, reconstitute, and administer prescribed intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SQ) medications.
- Administer and properly handle blood and plasma products as directed by the veterinarian, including operating, monitoring, and maintaining infusion pumps.
- Perform basic life support (BLS), including CPR, airway maintenance, and oxygen therapy under veterinary direction.
- Provide specialized patient nutrition and care, including tube and bottle feeding neonates, and maintaining nasogastric (NG) and esophageal (E-tube) feeding tubes.
- Accurately handle, administer, and log controlled substances utilizing the Cubex automated dispensing system.
- Assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians with physical examinations, medical treatments, and surgical interventions.
- Assist with and monitor minor procedures on sedated or anesthetized patients.
- Obtain and evaluate vital diagnostic metrics—including blood pressure, pulse oximetry, and EKG-and promptly relay findings to the veterinary team.
- Operate high-tech, in-house laboratory analyzers to run blood and diagnostic tests, accurately reporting results to attending clinicians.
- Deliver compassionate, clear communication and excellent customer service to clients during stressful emergency visits.
- Educate clients on home care and post-discharge treatments, including specialized instructions for esophageal feeding tubes and neonate feeding.
- Answer incoming client calls, document medical communications proficiently, and accurately relay information to veterinarians.
- Anticipate the immediate procedural and workflow needs of veterinarians and veterinary technicians to keep emergency cases moving efficiently.
- Assist in training and mentoring incoming team members across earlier tier stages (Tier 0–2).
- Actively engage in team problem-solving, foster a positive departmental culture, and cross-assist team members in other hospital departments.
- Participate in continuous learning opportunities, including attending monthly staff meetings, tier classes, and surgery training modules.
- Maintain a clean, sterile, well-stocked, and safe clinical environment across all treatment areas.
- Support inventory control by monitoring supply levels and promptly alerting leadership to low-stock items.
- Adhere strictly to patient confidentiality, hospital safety standards, and incident reporting protocols.
- Assist in refining and developing internal workflow procedures and hospital forms.
- High school diploma or GED equivalent required; basic math, reading, and writing proficiency.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in general veterinary practice OR minimum of 2 years of experience in an emergency veterinary practice.
- Successfully signed off on Tier 0, 1, and 2 competencies (or demonstrated equivalent clinical capability).
- Working familiarity with common canine and feline breeds, emergency presentations, infectious and zoonotic diseases, pharmacology, and standard medical terminology/abbreviations.
- Strong organization, multitasking, composure under high-stress conditions, and a dedicated, compassionate approach to patient care.
- Full-time and part-time opportunities available.
- Candidates must have flexibility to work days, nights, weekends, and holidays, with the willingness to stay past shift end when patient care requires.
- Competitive hourly pay $23- 40/hr (based on experience and skill set).
- Shift differentials: Additional $3/hour for overnight shifts and $4/hour for weekend shifts.
- Pet bill discounts and employee pet wellness days.
- Extremely discounted employee pet bloodwork.
- Cell phone discounts.
- Vacation accrual starts right away, with the opportunity to accrue up to 160 hours.
- PTO and sick time.
- Insurance benefits and a 401(k) with employer match.
- Free short-term disability (STD) coverage for eligible employees.
- Free therapy and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Employee professional mentorship programs.
- Onsite classes, training, and continuing education opportunities.
- Veterinary Technician Education Support: Full scholarships for the Penn Foster Veterinary Technology associate degree program and scholarships for the CCBC Veterinary Technician program (eligible after six months of employment).
- Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) support groups, resources, webinar training, and mentorship opportunities.
- Rabies vaccinations.
- Employee referral bonuses.
- Coverage of licensing costs and professional fees, along with additional benefits.
Join Our Team!
Are you ready to take your emergency veterinary skills to the next level? If you thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and are passionate about delivering top-tier patient care alongside an exceptional clinical team, we would love to hear from you!
About Us
At Animal Emergency Hospital, we pride ourselves on providing compassionate, dedicated care to every animal and owner who walks through our doors. We are a busy, fast-paced, 24-hour emergency hospital located in Bel Air, Maryland, with a support staff of over 60 team members.
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.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
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