EXPERIENCED Veterinary Assistant

FRIDAYS OFF Enjoy a 3-day weekend

Join our small, mighty team as a Full-time VA, working a schedule of Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (with the potential to add Wednesday) 8am-6pm. Led by an experienced Practice Manager, your contribution truly matters at Aberdeen Veterinary Clinic. You'll work in a caring environment dedicated to helping pets live their healthiest lives—without the Friday grind. Join our team and make a real difference in our patients' care.

Position Overview

We are seeking a skilled and experienced Veterinary Assistant or Technician to join our dedicated team. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about animal care and has a strong background in veterinary surgery. We are specifically looking for a candidate who can confidently lead the surgical and dental element of our practice, including preparation, monitoring, and post-operative care. The ideal candidate will have:

• Proven experience in veterinary surgical and dental procedures
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with veterinarians
• Strong technical skills in anesthesia, surgical prep, and recovery
• Excellent communication and organizational abilities

This position will ensure quality care for pets and promote greater efficiency by relieving technicians and veterinarians of technical and administrative work. The Technician Assistant performs a variety of patient- and client-care duties and conducts patient assessments, oversees animals recovering from anesthesia, and performs procedures and treatments.

The Technician Assistant uses sound judgment when making decisions about patient care, responds quickly and calmly to emergencies, and maintains high standards of patient care. This person communicates clearly with the veterinarians, other practice personnel, and clients to ensure that patients receive the care they need. Technician Assistants are friendly and flexible in the face of varying expectations from clients and coworkers. They multi-task, prioritize tasks well, and think creatively. Technician Assistants strongly believe in the quality of care provided and communicate this sense of assurance to clients. The Technician Assistant provides patient and client comfort by keeping the hospital clean and presentable and may provide training to other members of the healthcare team.

Position reports to Practice Manager and receives direction from veterinarians. Works alongside the Technicians, who determine the scope and type of support services to be furnished and the procedures used to accomplish them.

Primary Responsibilities

Patient Care

• Provides compassionate patient care, keeping patients clean, dry, and comfortable.
• Alerts the veterinarian(s) to changes in patients' condition.
• Recognizes patients with contagious disease and follows relevant procedures.
• Provides safe and effective patient restraint.
• Medicates patients.
• Uses proper safety techniques and positioning for radiological procedures.
• Recovers patients from anesthesia.
• Assists veterinarians and technicians in surgery and dentistry.
• Performs basic emergency care, CPR, and intensive care as needed.
• Helps with and documents patient treatments.
• Walks, cleans, and feeds patients.
• Sets up and assists with procedures, such as IV catheterization and other common treatments.
• Bathes patients as needed.
• Assists with patient admits and releases as needed.
• Ensures patients leave in better condition than when they arrived (e.g., clean and with IV catheter removed).
• Maintains knowledge of drugs and their uses.
• Calculates drug dosages and fills prescriptions accurately; asks for guidance if necessary.
• Assists with lab tests as needed.
• Completes medical records accurately and efficiently.
• Performs procedures such as pedicures and fluid administration.

Equipment and Facility Maintenance

• Cleans, cares for, and packs surgical equipment properly.
• Keeps hospital clean and stocked.
• Removes trash from hospital and sweeps and mops floors daily.
• Launderers soiled blankets, towels, and other linens.
• Utilizes in-house inventory control procedures to ensure items are stocked appropriately.

OUR COMMUNITY

We're more than coworkers—we're a support network. From monthly team lunches to quarterly volunteer days at the local shelter, we invest in each other and our community. Aberdeen offers weekend farmers' markets, nearby hiking trails, and easy access to Baltimore and D.C., but it's our collaborative spirit—where every voice matters—that makes this team special.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Non-licensed VA: $20–$26 / hour (based on experience) and CVT/RVT: $22–$30 / hour (based on experience)
• Fridays Off every week
• 401k with 100% employer matching on 1st 3%
• Eligibility to participate in Employee Stock Option Program when launched
• Annual Continuing Education allowance for industry specific certifications
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (available after 30 days). Paid 100% for full-time employees. Buy-up medical plan available. Additional family member coverage available at the employee's expense
• Healthcare Reimbursement Arrangement benefits
• PTO: 2 weeks PTO year one, 4 weeks year two+6 flex/bereavement/sick days + 6 paid holidays (available after 90 days)
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Life Insurance and AD&D – Employer paid for the employee
• Additional voluntary benefits for Critical Illness, Additional Life and AD&D available
• EAP Wellness and access to
• Pet care discounts
• Scrub allowance

Requirements:

• Experienced in surgery (min 3 years) - including monitoring, knowledge of emergency drugs
• Education equivalent to the completion of the 12th grade.
• 2+ years of dental experience including use of dental x ray machine, charting teeth, scaling, and polishing
• Proficiency in jugular draws and IV catheter placement
• Hands-on experience with radiology positioning (X-ray)
• Previous emergency experience is a plus
• Strong multitasking, prioritization, and communication skills
• Empathy and professionalism with both patients and clients
• Demonstrated ability to accurately manage and record detailed information in medical records and other data-management systems.
• Ability to properly restrain patients.
• Knowledge of spelling and meaning of commonly used veterinary medical terminology and procedures.
• Ability to complete assigned tasks in the time allotted without direct supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to show empathy toward clients and treat animals with respect and compassion.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• A commitment to outstanding client service.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs unassisted (and heavier with help)
• Ability to stay on task and work energetically for entire shift, sometimes exceeding 10 hours per day.