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Experienced Veterinary Assistant
Career Insights for Veterinary Assistant
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Scorecard
Based on Pennsylvania data
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What they do
A Veterinary Assistant assists with animals under veterinary care or in laboratories. Feeds animals, cleans cages, and administers medical treatment under the supervision of a veterinarian or veterinary technician. Works in a veterinary clinic, animal hospital, or laboratory.
$37,423 / year median in Pennsylvania
+29% projected growth
Job Description
Experienced Veterinary Assistant River Valley Veterinary Hospital Pittsburgh, PA Job Details Part-time | Full-time $16 - $21 an hour 3 hours ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance Paid time off Uniform allowance Employee assistance program Vision insurance 401(k) matching Flexible schedule Life insurance Qualifications Pet care Vascular access Companion animal handling Direct patient care Customer communication Vital signs Pre-examination patient preparation Intake Veterinary client education Patient safety Initial patient assessment Collecting samples for laboratory testing Patient family and caregiver education Communication with pet owners Medical assisting Patient treatment Safety standard operating procedures Patient immobilization Subcutaneous (SubQ) medication administration Veterinary radiology Veterinary physical examination assistance experience Full Job Description River Valley Veterinary Hospital is seeking an Experienced Veterinary Assistant to join our team and support both outpatient care and procedural services. We are seeking a versatile, client-focused assistant who thrives in a dynamic general practice environment — balancing exam room care, client communication, and hands-on procedural support. We value experienced assistants for the clinical skills, dependability, and genuine care they bring across all areas of the hospital, helping elevate the quality of medicine, client experience, and patient care. At River Valley, assistants are cross-trained across all hospital functions and trusted to build genuine, lasting relationships with the clients and patients they serve. This is a practice where clients request team members by name — that's the standard we hold ourselves to, and the kind of environment you'd be joining. In this position, you will play a key role in both outpatient and procedural workflows, contributing to a consistent, high standard of care throughout the patient visit.
Responsibilities include:
Building strong, lasting relationships with clients by leading clear, compassionate communication and patient care education during every visit. Supporting efficient exam room, outpatient, surgical, and dental workflows Assisting in surgery, including patient prep, setup, and recovery Maintaining accurate, detailed medical records and treatment documentation Reviewing treatment plans, medications, and discharge instructions with clients clearly and compassionately Identifying patient concerns and supporting efficient case management across the hospital Building strong client relationships through education, communication, and attentive service This role is ideal for assistants who enjoy variety in their day, are confident moving between exam room and procedure support, and want to fully utilize their clinical knowledge, technical skillset, and client communication abilities in a collaborative general practice environment.
Schedule and compensation:
Compensation:
$16 - 21 per hour, for each hour worked
Schedule:
This is a full-time or part-time position offering a flexible schedule , Monday-Friday and rotating Saturday shifts. No on-call requirements. Everyone on the team rotates to cover evening shifts 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM - you'd typically work an evening shift twice a week. Full-time Benefits Package
•: Bonus package: $500 based on skills and experience Health package: Medical, dental, and vision insurance Life insurance and disability Employee Assistance Program 401k with company match Paid time off in accordance with site policy and applicable law Personal pet discount Uniform allowance Part-time team members may be eligible for limited benefits in accordance with company policy and state law Minimum qualifications and skill set: 2+ years of veterinary assistant experience Proficiency in the following skills: Client education and communication Proficiency in conducting patient intake, obtaining medical histories, and obtaining vital signs accurately Safe & effective patient handling & restraint Venipuncture and SQ injections Radiology positioning and safety protocols Ability to prioritize tasks and multitask in a fast-paced environment Commitment to high-quality patient care and continuous learning Why choose River Valley Veterinary Hospital? River Valley Veterinary Hospital is a well-established, fast-paced, 3-doctor small animal general practice just outside Pittsburgh, offering a comprehensive range of services including wellness and preventive care, soft tissue surgery, dentistry with digital dental radiographs, digital radiography, ultrasound, in-house diagnostics, and a full in-house pharmacy. Known for strong medicine, exceptional client relationships, and a very stable, long-tenured team, the hospital emphasizes personalized care, continuity of service, and efficiency — with dedicated doctor-technician teams and diagnostic capabilities including Heska and IDEXX analyzers. Clients frequently request technicians by name, reflecting the trust and long-term relationships built within the practice — and that's not an accident. It's the result of a team that genuinely shows up with care and consistency every single day. River Valley offers a collaborative, team-driven environment with structured training, and clear expectations that support both growth and retention. Located just north of Pittsburgh in Springdale, PA — with easy highway access and an affordable, community-oriented lifestyle — this is an ideal practice for individuals who thrive in a busy setting, value teamwork and communication, and are ready to practice high-quality medicine in a supportive, well-organized hospital. Apply today — we look forward to hearing from you! #LI-KG1 River Valley VH is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in the job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us. Hiring decisions will be based on merit, qualifications and the legitimate needs of the business. Candidate Privacy Notice