Community Veterinary Assistant

The Community Veterinary Assistant supports patient care, client service, and clinical operations in a community veterinary clinic setting. This role assists veterinarians and Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) with patient preparation, Fear Free handling, recovery monitoring, basic nursing support, and maintaining a clean and organized clinical environment.

This position contributes to a respectful, collaborative, Fear Free, and spectrum-of-care practice culture focused on patient comfort, client support, and learning. It is ideal for individuals to develop foundational clinical skills and pursue growth in veterinary medicine.

• Safely transport and handle animals using Fear Free techniques. *
• Assist veterinarians and RVTs with patient preparation, exams, and treatments. *
• Support low-stress restraint and positioning for exams, imaging, and procedures. *
• Assist with sample collection processes (holding, labeling, documentation). *
• Maintain clean and organized exam and treatment areas. *
• Support surgical and dental patient flow and recovery.
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• Prepare surgical instruments, packs, drapes, equipment, and warming devices. *
• Assist with patient clipping and initial surgical site prep under supervision. *
• Perform full surgical site prep once trained, and competency verified. *
• Support anesthesia monitoring by recording parameters as directed (no independent adjustments). *
• Assist with patient positioning, induction support tasks, transport, and recovery. *
• Place IV catheters only after formal training and competency sign-off; otherwise support restraint and setup. *
• Assist with surgical suite setup, turnover, and sterilization.
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• Set up dental instruments, packs, equipment, and treatment area. *
• Assist with patient positioning and radiograph setup under direct supervision. *
• Record anesthesia monitoring parameters as directed. *
• Clean, pack, and sterilize dental instruments and equipment. *
• May assist with dental radiograph positioning and image capture only after training and competency sign-off, under direct RVT/DVM supervision.
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• Monitor animals for pre-operative, post-operative, and short-stay care. *
• Provide comfort care: hydration support, feeding per instruction, bedding changes, hygiene assistance, elimination support. *
• Take and document vitals when trained and delegated. *
• Administer oral medications and SQ/IM injections under veterinary supervision and administer IV medications and controlled substances only after formal training, VACSP credential (as applicable), and documented competency sign-off. *
• Promptly report changes in patient condition.
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• Draw up, manage, and administer medications including controlled substances under DVM/RVT supervision when holding a valid VACSP. *
• Assist with medication preparation and documentation while awaiting VACSP. *
• Follow DEA, state, and organizational controlled-substances procedures.
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• Assist with patient intake and discharge. *
• Provide calm, empathetic communication with clients. *
• Review go-home information as directed by RVT/DVM. *
• Support client access to resources respectfully and compassionately.
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• Maintain clean animal housing, exam rooms, treatment areas, laundry, and equipment. *
• Clean, pack, and sterilize instruments and equipment. *
• Follow OSHA, infection control, IIPP, and Fear Free protocols.
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• Support euthanasia workflows with compassion and professionalism. *
• May perform humane euthanasia with appropriate training and delegation, in accordance with state law and organizational protocol. *
• For client-present euthanasia assists RVT/DVM team only. *

* Essential functions of the job