Part-Time Veterinary Assistant - Highland Animal Hospital

Part-Time Veterinary Assistant

PetVet Care Centers' Highland Animal Hospital is currently seeking a Part-Time Veterinary Assistant to join their team! At PetVet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage for all the moments that matter. With more than 420 locally led hospitals and over 11,000 team members nationwide, we offer:

• Local autonomy with national support
• Career mobility and development opportunities
• A collaborative, inclusive environment where your wellbeing comes first

You care for pets. We care for you.

Position Overview

Join our team as a Veterinary Assistant who supports the veterinarians and technicians in their daily tasks by cleaning and maintaining equipment, feeding, exercising and grooming patients, preparing and sanitizing surgery suites, restraining and handling patients, and clerical and administrative work. They deliver quality care for all patients and provide exceptional service.

Highland Animal Hospital in Augusta, Georgia, is a full-service veterinary clinic providing comprehensive care, from preventive services to advanced medical treatment. At Highland Animal Hospital, you'll join a close-knit team with a family feelpeople who support one another and share a commitment to pets and the families who love them.

Why Join Us:

• Care that makes a difference: Help comfort an anxious patient, support recovery, and celebrate the moments when pets feel better.
• A team you can count on: Work alongside veterinarians, technicians, and support staff who value teamwork, compassion, and your contributions.
• Opportunities to grow: Build your skills through hands-on experience supporting examinations, diagnostics, surgery, dentistry, and everyday patient care.
• Variety in your day: Stay engaged with a mix of patient care, client communication, and clinical support responsibilities.
• Meaningful relationships: Get to know our patients and clients while helping them feel welcome, informed, and cared for.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate care to all patients
• Greet patients and their owners as they arrive and show them to an examining room, taking the patient's weight and other vital signs upon arrival
• Triage patients, perform physical exams, treatments, and administer medication as directed by the licensed veterinary technicians (LVT's).
• Calm and soothe anxious patients
• Assist doctors and technicians with the administration of medications or with patient restraint
• Perform laboratory tests and take radiographs
• Operate and maintain hospital equipment, including EKG, fluid pump, syringe pump, scales, anesthetic monitors, and machines, etc.
• Fill prescriptions, calculate and administer medications, maintain proper documentation, logging, and security of controlled drugs.
• Feed patients as prescribed by the attending doctor or as the client has requested; record appetites; recognize and report any unusual conditions or abnormal behaviors
• Communicate in a positive manner with clients and ensure that they feel comfortable leaving their pet(s)
• Educate clients about insurance, wellness, and medicinal plans
• Maintain the cleanliness of the hospital each day; clean equipment, kennels, and facilities using chemicals and supplies; ensure the safe use of chemicals; complete laundry
• Bath and care for patients who stay overnight; ensure that every animal released is clean and properly groomed prior to their release
• Adhere to the hospital's safety and wellness regulations
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Maintain accurate medical records
• Show up for work regularly; full-time presence at work is essential for every shift
• Promote hospital products and services and support the organization
• Respond respectfully with urgency to directions given by Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVT).
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Manager; may have other assigned duties if working in a specialty area (i.e., dentistry, surgery, emergency, radiology, cardiology, neurology, internal medicine, etc.)

Qualifications (Required)

• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to be considered for this position
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least one year of experience in a veterinary environment performing veterinary assistant duties; an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
• Compassionate approach to patient care and the ability to safely handle and restrain animals of varying sizes and temperaments.
• Knowledge of veterinary terminology, basic patient care, hospital procedures, and accurate medical recordkeeping.
• Ability to assist veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians with examinations, treatments, diagnostic procedures, and medication preparation as directed.
• Familiarity with hospital cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization procedures, including safe handling of equipment and cleaning chemicals.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to reassure clients and clearly explain veterinary team-approved care instructions.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions, prioritize tasks, and respond promptly in a busy environment.
• Dependable attendance, professional conduct, and a cooperative, team-focused attitude.
• Basic computer proficiency and the ability to learn hospital practice management software.
• Commitment to continuing education and improving technical skills.
• Scheduling flexibility, including availability for some weekends and holidays.
• Ability to perform essential duties with or without reasonable accommodation, including extended periods of standing and walking, frequent bending and cleaning, and lifting or carrying animals up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to follow safety protocols when working around sick animals, anesthetic gases, cleaning chemicals, and other workplace hazards.

Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)

• Completion of a veterinary assistant training program or relevant veterinary technology education or credentials.
• Experience assisting with surgery, preparing patients and surgical suites, and monitoring patients during sedation, -anesthesia, and recovery under supervision.
• Experience assisting with dental procedures and obtaining dental radiographs.
• Experience with diagnostic imaging, laboratory testing, sample collection, and cytology preparation.
• Familiarity with equipment such as anesthetic monitors, fluid pumps, syringe pumps, and EKG machines.
• Experience preparing prescriptions, performing medication calculations, and maintaining medication records under veterinary supervision.
• Experience supporting emergency or critical care patients.
• Experience educating clients about preventive care, medications, wellness plans, and hospital services.
• Familiarity with IDEXX Cornerstone or similar veterinary practice management software.

Schedule

• Part-Time; Wednesdays, Fridays, and rotating Saturdays.
• Additional weekday shifts may vary based on hospital needs and staff availability.

What We Offer

We care deeply about supporting our team members professionally and personally. Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid Parental Leave (birth, adoption, foster)
• 401(k) with discretionary contribution
• Team Member Pet Discounts
• Emotional wellbeing support including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP
• CE stipends and career development resources
• Grant Circle a relief fund for team members facing personal hardship
• Local hospital culture backed by national resources

At PetVet Care Centers, we're committed to a Culture of Care for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. With more than 400 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 dedicated professionals, including 1700+ veterinarians, we offer a unique blend of local leadership and national support that helps our hospitals thrive.

Our model is built on partnership, collaboration, and local medical autonomy, empowering each hospital to deliver high-quality care while benefiting from shared resources and a strong professional community. Whether you're providing care in a hospital or supporting operations behind the scenes, PetVet is a place where you can grow your career, stay connected to your purpose, and make a meaningful impact.

You care for pets. We care for you.

PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status,