Fairfax Animal Hospital - Veterinary Surgical Assistant

Fairfax Animal Hospital - Veterinary Surgical Assistant Fairfax Animal Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia (a Washington D.C. suburb) was the first animal hospital in Fairfax County when Dr. Jerry Goldfarb opened the doors in 1945, and continues to be a repeat winner of Angie's List service awards. Our team provides full-service animal care for companion animals and recently added urgent care services to further assist the community. We offer mentorship from experienced veterinarians with special interests in exotics, soft tissue surgery, wellness care, and basic orthopedic surgery, and welcome both new and experienced veterinary professionals to join our team. Position Summary Fairfax Animal Hospital is seeking a Part-Time Veterinary Surgical Assistant to support our surgical and urgent care services. This role is ideal for an experienced veterinary assistant who thrives in a fast-paced clinical setting and is passionate about providing high-quality care to both patients and clients. The Surgical Assistant will work closely with veterinarians and licensed technicians during procedures and urgent care cases, ensuring efficient surgical prep, monitoring, and recovery, while also supporting the overall flow of patient care. Key Responsibilities Surgical & Procedural Support Assist with patient preparation for surgery, including pre-op exams, shaving, and aseptic scrub Set up and maintain sterile surgical fields and equipment Monitor patients during procedures and assist with anesthesia under supervision Support post-operative recovery, monitoring vitals and ensuring patient comfort Maintain surgical logs and proper documentation Urgent Care Assistance Safely restrain and triage patients in high-pressure situations Communicate effectively with team members to prioritize patient care Ensure exam rooms and treatment areas are prepped and restocked Hospital Operations Clean, sterilize, and maintain surgical instruments and equipment Maintain cleanliness and organization in surgical and treatment areas Assist with general patient care tasks as needed (e.g., blood draws, bandaging, IV catheter placement if trained) Client Communication & Support Communicate pre- and post-operative instructions to clients professionally Provide updates to clients during urgent care visits as directed Handle pets with compassion and professionalism, even in high-stress situations Qualifications Minimum 1–2 years of veterinary assistant experience , preferably in surgical or urgent care settings Strong understanding of sterile technique and surgical support procedures Comfortable handling urgent/emergency cases with calm and confidence Ability to multitask, prioritize, and stay organized under pressure Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and work on feet for extended periods Familiarity with ezyVet and SmartFlow is a plus Why Join Fairfax? At Fairfax Animal Hospital, you’ll join a dedicated and compassionate team committed to excellent patient care. We value collaboration, continued learning, and a supportive work environment. This part-time role is a great opportunity for experienced veterinary professionals looking to focus on surgical and urgent care services in a flexible schedule. Voluntary Self-Identification For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file. Fairfax Animal Hospital does not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under applicable law. If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to VEVRAA, we request this information to measure the effectiveness of outreach and positive recruitment efforts. Classification of protected categories is as follows: A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran entitled to compensation under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person discharged due to service-connected disability. A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of discharge or release from active duty. An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty during a war or campaign for which a badge has been authorized. An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty, participated in a U.S. military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded. Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form CC-305 (Omb control number 1250-0005) Expires 04/30/2026. Completion is voluntary and confidential. More information about how disability information is used can be found on the U.S. Department of Labor OFCCP website. #J-18808-Ljbffr