Veterinary Assistant - Surgery

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BluePearl in North Hills, Pittsburgh is seeking a knowledgeable and skilled Veterinary Assistant.


Pay: $18.45 - $25.50 / hour

This pay band is a starting point and is dependent on experience and advancement through our leveling system .
** Candidates with VTS credentialing are eligible for compensation commensurate with experience**

We also offer competitive shift differential pay for eligible hours worked for nights and weekends.

*Shift differentials are based on a 4-hour minimum.

For example:

• Mon - Fri: 6pm to 8am = $3.00 Shift Differential
• Sat & Sun: 6pm to 8am = $4.50 Shift Differential
• Sat & Sun: 8am to 6pm = $3.00 Shift Differential

Veterinary Assistants in the Surgery department work four ten-hour shifts during the week and participate in a Saturday rotation.

The Surgery Veterinary Assistant supports veterinarians and technicians throughout the surgical process from patient admission and preparation through recovery and discharge. This role assists with patient preparation and recovery, anesthesia support, surgical and diagnostic procedures, nursing care, laboratory testing, imaging, and medical record documentation.


The ideal candidate has prior veterinary experience and is compassionate, detail oriented, and able to thrive in a fast paced team environment. Successful applicants will demonstrate strong patient handling skills, a commitment to safety and sterile technique, and the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues while delivering outstanding care to patients and clients.


Key Responsibilities Include:

• Provide nursing care to patients according to hospital standards of care and core values
• Assist with surgical and diagnostic procedures
• Prepare and recover patients for anesthesia and surgery
• Support patient monitoring, nursing care, and treatment administration
• Perform laboratory and imaging related duties
• Maintain surgical equipment, instruments, and sterile environments
• Document patient care and communicate with clients and team members
• Support hospital operations and collaborate across services as needed
• Understand classification of commonly used medications, associated side effects and appropriately monitors therapeutic response.
• Administer medications via appropriate routes and duration.
• Perform physical exam; accurately count heart, pulse rate, capillary refill time, mucous membranes, temperature, respiratory rate and effort.
• Remain current on R.E.C.O.V.E.R CPR guidelines and demonstrates proficiency in designated role as assigned by attending clinician and/or supervisor.

Why BluePearl?

• Our passion is pets. We offer Trupanion pet insurance and discounts to our associates for pet treatments, procedures, and food.
• We encourage you to grow with us. Our technicians are leveled by their skillset and move up in level as they gain more skills and experience. We are focused on developing our associates into leaders through talent development programs and leadership workshops. As a member of Mars Veterinary Health, our associates have endless opportunities to advance in his/her career.
• In order to transform and lead the industry through innovative quality medicine and care, we understand the importance of continuous learning. We offer annual continuing education allowance, free continuing education sessions, our own BluePearl University for training, and our clinicians have access to over 2,000 medical journals.
• Lyra; Access to 12 mental health care sessions annually at no charge to you, and other well-being resources through Lyra- an online mental health support platform
• We promote a family-like culture in our hospitals. We are all in this together. We believe in working together to lead the industry by enriching lives through remarkable care for pets.

Our Continuing Education Plan includes $500/year reimbursement for CVT and $750/year for VTS. The Continuing Education allowance can roll over up to $1,500 for CVT associates. Full-time CVT associates also receive 8 hours of CE paid hours each year.Paid CE hours can be carried over year to year up to a maximum of 24 hours. Non-Credentialed, full-time Paraprofessionals are eligible for an annual CE stipend of $150. Newly hired associates will receive a pro-rated amount of any CE benefit for which they are eligible.

• Company-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Parental Leave Benefits
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance options
• Paid Time Off and Floating Holiday Plans
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Savings Account
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Annual Scrub Allowance: full-time associates receive $200/year in BluePearl store credit.
• Referral Bonus Program
• State licensure reimbursements
• VTNE reimbursements
• Additional VTS benefits - pursuing & established VTS technicians.

BluePearl is committed to a diverse work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity employer and each applicant will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, sexual or affectional preference, or gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace.