Veterinary Assistant

At Paws & Claws Animal Hospital , we believe great veterinary medicine starts with a compassionate, collaborative team. Located in Wilmington, NC, our full-service hospital provides medical, surgical, and dental care for cats, dogs, exotic animals, and local injured wildlife. We're looking for an experienced Veterinary Assistant who enjoys working with a variety of patients and wants to be part of a team that truly cares about the animals and people we serve.

As a Veterinary Assistant , you'll work alongside our experienced veterinary team to provide hands-on patient care and help keep each visit running smoothly. Our doctors bring more than four decades of combined veterinary experience, creating an environment where you can continue learning, developing your skills, and growing your career.

To learn more about us visit Paws & Claws Animal Hospital and check out our Hospital Profile !

As a Veterinary Assistant , your responsibilities will include:

• Assisting with patient restraint and handling
• Triaging incoming patients and obtaining medical histories
• Collecting and processing laboratory samples
• Performing or assisting with diagnostic imaging and radiographs
• Providing nursing care and monitoring hospitalized patients with varying levels of stability
• Administering medications as directed by the veterinary team
• Preparing patients for surgery and assisting during procedures
• Supporting anesthetic monitoring and patient recovery
• Communicating treatment plans and recommendations clearly and compassionately with clients
• Maintaining a clean, organized, and safe treatment environment
• Helping provide a calm, positive experience for patients, clients, and teammates

Whether you're an experienced Veterinary Assistant looking to master your current skills or hoping to take the next step in your career, you'll have opportunities for hands-on learning, virtual training, and continued professional development.

We're seeking a Veterinary Assistant with at least one year of veterinary experience who is comfortable working in a busy clinical environment.

The ideal candidate is:

• Compassionate, dependable, and calm under pressure
• A strong communicator and collaborative team player
• Comfortable multitasking and prioritizing in a fast-paced setting
• Confident with safe and appropriate animal restraint
• A self-starter who takes initiative and enjoys learning
• Experienced with sample collection, laboratory testing, medical histories, and radiographs
• Familiar with anesthesia monitoring and surgical assistance, which is a plus

As a Veterinary Assistant, you may encounter unpleasant odors and noises and may be exposed to bites, scratches, animal waste, and potentially contagious diseases. A willingness to work safely and compassionately in these situations is essential.

If you're a Veterinary Assistant who wants to make a difference in the lives of pets, exotic animals, wildlife, and their families while continuing to grow professionally, we'd love to hear from you!

*We kindly request that applicants  do not contact the hospital directly  via phone or email regarding this position. All applications and inquiries should be submitted through the designated application portal. 

Pay Range: $15-$19/hr based on experience

Job type: Full-time 

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 Reimbursement Program Available to any AVMA Accredited Veterinary Technology Program
• 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 pre-employment screening.

*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 .

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