Veterinary Assistant

At Bark Ave, we believe every visit should feel like the best day ever for pets and their people. Our team is dedicated to creating a calm, supportive, and compassionate experience for every furry BFF that walks through our doors. We are looking for an experienced Level 3 Veterinary Assistant who thrives in both general practice and urgent care medicine, and who is passionate about providing exceptional patient care while supporting our doctors and veterinary nurses. This is an advanced assistant role requiring strong clinical skills, excellent patient handling, and the ability to anticipate the needs of the medical team. Position Summary A Level 3 Veterinary Assistant provides high-level clinical support to doctors and veterinary nurses while helping maintain a smooth and efficient hospital workflow. This role requires confidence in technical skills, anesthesia monitoring, diagnostics, and client communication. The ideal candidate is calm under pressure, attentive to detail, and committed to making every visit at Bark Ave a positive and supportive experience for pets and their families. Required Experience & Qualifications Minimum 2-3+ years of veterinary assistant experience in a clinical setting. Experience working in general practice AND urgent care or emergency medicine. Strong knowledge of veterinary medical terminology, procedures, and medications. Excellent animal restraint and handling skills for dogs and cats of varying temperaments. Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced medical environment. Strong communication skills with both clients and team members. Ability to anticipate the needs of doctors and veterinary nurses during exams and procedures. Commitment to maintaining a clean, organized, and safe treatment environment. Clinical Skills & Responsibilities Patient Care & Restraint Safely and confidently restrain canine and feline patients for examinations, diagnostics, and procedures. Prepare patients for treatments, diagnostics, and surgery. Assist doctors and veterinary nurses during examinations and medical procedures. Maintain patient comfort and monitor for signs of stress or distress during handling. Emergency & Urgent Care Support Level 3 Veterinary Assistants play an important role in supporting urgent and emergency cases.

Responsibilities include:

Assisting with patient triage and intake. Supporting the medical team during urgent and emergency procedures. Performing venipuncture and blood collection (cephalic, jugular, and saphenous when appropriate). IV catheter placement. Preparing and organizing equipment and supplies for rapid patient stabilization. Laboratory & Diagnostic Skills Collect and process blood, urine, and fecal samples. Run in-house laboratory diagnostics, including: CBC and chemistry analyzers SNAP tests Urinalysis Cytology preparation Fecal testing Properly label, store, and submit samples to outside laboratories. Maintain cleanliness and quality control of laboratory equipment. Radiology Demonstrate proper radiographic positioning and technique for diagnostic imaging. Follow radiation safety protocols at all times. Ensure patients are positioned correctly to obtain high-quality diagnostic images. Assist with patient restraint or positioning aids during imaging when necessary. Anesthesia Monitoring & Surgical Support Level 3 assistants should be comfortable supporting procedures and monitoring anesthetized patients.

Responsibilities include:

Preparing patients and equipment for surgical or procedural anesthesia. Monitoring anesthesia, including: Heart rate Respiratory rate Blood pressure Oxygen saturation Temperature EtCO2 Accurately recording anesthetic parameters and trends. Recognizing abnormal or concerning parameters and immediately alerting a doctor or veterinary nurse. Assisting with patient recovery and post-procedure monitoring. Medication Knowledge Demonstrate strong familiarity with common veterinary medications and injectable drugs. Accurately draw up, label, and prepare medications for doctor or nurse administration. Understand proper medication handling, storage, and safety protocols. Aseptic & Clinical Technique Maintain proper aseptic technique during procedures and patient preparation. Assist with surgical prep and sterile field maintenance. Ensure all instruments and supplies are handled in accordance with hospital sanitation protocols. General Practice Medicine Level 3 Veterinary Assistants should have a strong understanding of preventive care and routine veterinary medicine.

Responsibilities include:

Supporting doctors during wellness exams and routine appointments. Knowledge of canine and feline vaccine schedules and preventive care. Assisting with vaccine appointments and routine diagnostics. Supporting doctors with domestic and interstate health certificate appointments. Preparing exam rooms and treatment plans to maintain efficient patient flow. Client Communication At Bark Ave, creating a supportive and positive client experience is just as important as providing excellent medical care.

Responsibilities include:

Communicating clearly and compassionately with pet owners. Helping clients feel comfortable and informed during visits. Assisting with basic discharge instructions and follow-up care guidance when appropriate. Supporting clients during stressful or emotional situations with empathy and professionalism. Team Collaboration Work collaboratively with doctors, veterinary nurses, and assistants. Maintain a positive and supportive team environment. Help ensure smooth patient flow and efficient hospital operations. Assist with training or mentoring junior assistants when appropriate. What Makes a Great Bark Ave Team Member Compassionate toward pets and their people Calm and confident in both routine and urgent situations Detail-oriented and proactive A supportive teammate who helps create the "best day ever" experience for every furry BFF who visits Bark Ave Expected hours: 25.0 - 35.0 per week

Experience:

Veterinary assistant: 3 years (Required)

Work Location:

In person