Experienced Veterinary Assistant - Urgent Care

Lakeside Veterinary Hospital is a progressive practice providing primary, urgent, and emergency care to Carbondale and communities across Southern Illinois. The pace can move quickly, but compassion, integrity, service, and teamwork keep us grounded. Veterinarians, technicians, assistants, and client-service teammates share information, step in for one another, and keep every decision focused on the patient. You won’t be expected to carry a difficult case alone; experienced teammates are close by to collaborate, teach, and help you build confidence.

When an urgent case comes through the door, you want to know the people beside you communicate clearly, trust your skills, and move as one. That’s the team you’ll find at Lakeside. Here, you’ll steady worried pet owners, turn diagnostics into answers, and deliver hands-on nursing care that can change the course of a patient’s night-all while working alongside colleagues who genuinely look out for one another.

That team-first approach is backed by advanced medicine you can use every day. CT, ultrasound, X-ray, and in-house chemistry, hematology, and blood-gas testing help you move from questions to informed decisions while a patient is still in your care. Lakeside’s impact also extends beyond the hospital through partnerships with nearby humane societies, community events, and lasting connections with clients who remember how we showed up when their pet needed us most.

Check our more about us by visiting our website !

Job Description

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Triage patients, gather accurate histories, and help the medical team recognize urgent needs.
• Use confident, low-stress restraint techniques for examinations, diagnostics, and treatments.
• Prepare exam rooms, treatment areas, surgical spaces, instruments, and supplies for the next case.
• Support sample collection, in-house laboratory workflows, and diagnostic imaging.
• Assist veterinarians and credentialed technicians during procedures.
• Observe hospitalized patients closely and promptly communicate changes to the medical team.
• Maintain clean, organized patient-care areas and follow infection-control and safety protocols.
• Reinforce discharge and home-care instructions with patience, empathy, and attention to detail.
• Share your experience by supporting newer assistants, improving workflows, and strengthening team consistency.

Whether you’re looking to just be a master of your role or trying to grow into that next career move, you’ll have opportunities through a variety of virtual and hands on, interactive training and continuing development.

Qualifications

We're Looking For:

• A minimum of 2-years professional veterinary experience preferred , ideally in an ER or Urgent Care setting.
• Weekend availability is required .
• A strong foundation in animal handling, restraint, patient comfort, and veterinary terminology.
• Experience supporting appointments, hospitalized patients, surgery, and urgent-care cases.
• Familiarity with laboratory procedures, radiology safety, pharmacy protocols, and medical records.
• The judgment to recognize changes, ask questions, and communicate concerns promptly.
• Clear, respectful communication with clients and colleagues, especially when emotions run high.
• Attention to detail and the ability to organize competing priorities without losing compassion.
• A team-first mindset and the ability to work well with others.
• Interest in mentorship, professional development, process improvement, or future leadership.

Additional Information

Pay Range: $16/hr+ depending on level of experience

We offer our staff:

• Comprehensive Benefits (health, dental, vision, liability, 401k & 401K matching program, life & supplemental insurance, HSA, & FSA) 
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time for ALL Employees 
• Paid Bereavement Program 
• Paid Parental Leave Program
• Competitive Compensation
• Continuing Education Allowance (applies to licensed/registered/certified roles)
• Tuition Assistance Program 
• Access to a CVA/CVT/CVPM Partnership through Penn Foster 
• Career Development Opportunities 
• Referral Bonus Program for most positions! 
• Additional Benefits May Also Be Available (i.e. Personal Pet Discounts, Holiday Pay, Uniform Allowance, Bonuses etc.) 

Hiring eligibility may be contingent to a candidate authorizing and completing a satisfactory background check. 

*Note – some benefits may only be available to or vary slightly for full time employment status vs part time status.

For additional details including our full equal opportunity statement, texting/outreach communication authorization, physical requirements of the job and more, please visit: