Veterinary Assistant, Surgery, Summit Veterinary Referral Center

Veterinary Assistant, Surgery, Summit Veterinary Referral Center

Summit Veterinary Referral Center is hiring Veterinary Assistants for our Surgery Department!

The Veterinary Assistant plays a critical role within the Surgery department at Summit Veterinary Referral Center. This position supports the veterinary team by assisting with surgical procedures and ensuring excellent perioperative care for patients. The Veterinary Assistant will be responsible for tasks ranging from preparing patients for surgery, assisting with recovery, and ensuring a smooth workflow in the operating room. The ideal candidate will be adaptable, demonstrate excellent communication skills, and possess a passion for animal care.

• Assist with the preparation of patients in the surgery department efficiently and effectively.
• Perform perioperative patient care, including but not limited to:
  • Obtaining vitals.
  • Patient restraint (canine/feline).
  • Blood collection and IV catheter placement.
  • Setting up the OR for surgical procedures.
  • Appropriate shaving and aseptic prep of the surgery site.
  • Safely move sedated or anesthetized patients to/from the OR.
  • Opening sterile instruments and equipment.
  • Assist with recovery and OR daily/weekly/monthly maintenance.
• Maintain and prepare sterile fields as needed.
• Be familiar with the instruments and equipment used in the surgery department.
• Perform in-house lab work as required.
• Assist with advanced imaging (X-ray, Ultrasound, CT), including:
  • Radiograph positioning for orthopedic procedures (e.g., TPLO), chest radiographs, chest tube placements, urethral catheterization, etc.
• Prepare prescriptions and communicate discharge orders to clients clearly and compassionately.
• Communicate effectively with doctors about patient care and any problems or concerns.
• Engage in client communication when necessary for the department.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

• Knowledge of veterinary medical terminology, anatomy, and pharmacology preferred.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast‑paced, often chaotic, and stressful environment.
• Team player with strong attention to detail, reliability, dependability, and trustworthiness.
• Excellent communication skills within the team and with clients.
• Prior veterinary experience preferred, especially in a specialty hospital, but willing to train the right candidate.
• Current WA state medical clerk license preferred; must be willing to obtain within 3 months of hire.

• Ability to sit, walk, stand, kneel, and climb stairs during shifts.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds and work on feet for extended periods.
• Exposure to low to moderate noise levels, including animal sounds.
• Exposure to hospital supplies, including anesthetic gases and X‑ray irradiation, within OSHA standards.
• Risk of injury from handling animals.
• Flexibility with scheduled working hours.

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Veterinary Assistant certification preferred.

• Prior experience in veterinary medicine preferred.
• Experience working in a specialty hospital is preferred, but we will train the right candidate.

• Must be available for either 3 twelve‑hour shifts or 4 ten‑hour shifts.
• Surgery hours:
  Monday‑Friday 7am‑7pm
• On‑call rotation required once fully trained.
• Flexibility is required, as surgery times may extend beyond scheduled hours.

• Hourly pay range- $20‑26 depending on experience
• Comprehensive benefits package!

Summit Veterinary Referral Center is the largest Emergency and Specialty Center in the South Puget Sound. With specialists in Anesthesia, Cardiology, Emergency/Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Nutrition, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Surgery and Radiology, we work as a team to provide the most comprehensive patient and client care in our region. Grand rounds occur daily and our specialists are regularly available to consult on cases (even in the middle of the night).

We have 7 surgical suites, CT/MRI, endoscopy, telemetry, digital radiography, echocardiography, ultrasound, fluoroscopy and more.

Our culture is all about collaboration, and a thriving passion for best medicine. We embrace your learning…