Veterinary Assistant - Primary Care

Veterinary Assistant

Are you ready to be a part of something exciting and make a difference in the lives of animals? We are opening the doors at Elm City Vet – Primary Care located in New Haven, CT! We are looking for compassionate and motivated Veterinary Assistant to join our team! If you have a love for animals and a passion for providing exceptional care, this is your chance to help shape the future of our practice and support our mission to deliver top-notch service to every pet and pet parent.

At Elm City Vet, Veterinary Assistants play an essential role in supporting our doctors, technicians, clients, and patients by ensuring the hospital operates efficiently and compassionately each day. Veterinary Assistants are responsible for assisting with patient care, maintaining cleanliness and organization throughout the hospital, supporting medical procedures, and delivering excellent client service.

Our vision is a simple one, to make the community and the animals and people in it happier and healthier.

Elm City Vet is located right on vibrant Orange Street in the heart of New Haven. This brand-new build will feature a spacious lobby to give pets and their families ample space to comfortably relax. Our five exam rooms feature double entry to not only maximize efficiency but also promote a safe environment for all pets and their people.

Pieper Veterinary is a highly respected family of emergency, specialty, urgent care and primary care hospitals in CT, PA, MA, and ME.

What to Expect:

• Environment of Collaboration: Our hospital locations work closely together with each other as well as the Specialty/ER location in Middletown to provide the best possible care for the pets we see.
• Commitment to Continuing Education: We want to retain and develop our talent to the best of our ability. You can expect numerous in-house CE opportunities, and any mentoring available to support and achieve your goals.
• Career Advancement: We pride ourselves on recognizing top talent and strong work ethic and if you demonstrate those things, you can expect to be promoted from within.

About You:

We strongly believe that veterinary medicine is a team sport, and our ideal candidate is someone who feels the same. Communication is key in our industry, and we are looking for people who navigate both client and interpersonal communication with skill and ease.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assist with patient restraint during examinations, treatments, and procedures
• Obtain and record TPRs (Temperature, Pulse, Respiration)
• Assist technicians with technician appointments
• Assist technicians during procedures by helping set up, break down, and recording TPRs in SRX as needed (2nd assistant)
• Set up instruments and supplies for appointments based on doctor preference
• Prepare patients and treatment areas for procedures
• Take radiographs (X-rays) under supervision and hospital protocols Veterinary Assistants should always function as the second person in X-ray
• Physically refill medications as directed by the medical team

Animal Husbandry & Facility Care:

• Feed and walk hospitalized animals
• Clean cages and maintain kennel areas
• Perform laundry duties
• Maintain overall hospital cleanliness and sanitation
• Clean and prepare exam rooms between appointments
• Restock hospital and treatment supplies as needed

Client Service & Administrative Support:

• Answer incoming phone calls and appropriately route communications
• Schedule patient appointments
• Manage and complete VA communications/tasks in a timely manner
• Support smooth appointment flow and assist team members as needed

Compensation: Based on experience starting at $18.00-$21.00 an hour.

Anticipated Schedule: This is a full-time position: 4 days a week / 10-hour shifts Saturday rotation. Closed on holidays!

What's in it for you?

• Supportive culture with social events & team building
• Competitive paid time off & holidays
• Career Growth & Training Opportunities
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Mental Health Focused Services
• A Safe Harbor 401K with up to a 4% match and immediate vesting
• Up to 75% employee pet care discount
• Annual uniform allowance

We know it's not always easy to make a move. We treat all interviews as confidential and if a casual chat is more your style, we can do that too! We genuinely love what we do and the people we work with!

Requirements:

• Prior experience working in a veterinary setting.
• Experience in handling animals and performing basic animal care tasks.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact with clients and team members.
• Ability to multi-task and remain organized in a fast-paced environment.
• Compassion and patience when handling animals.
• Basic knowledge of animal behavior and medical terminology.
• Ability to work well under pressure and in stressful situations.
• Ability to work collaboratively with veterinarians, technicians, and other staff members.
• Willingness to take direction and adapt to new tasks and procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow instructions.
• Ability to lift and restrain animals safely
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time
• Ability to perform repetitive cleaning and stocking tasks
• Punctuality and reliability, with a commitment to maintaining a high standard of care.
• Positive attitude, professionalism, and a compassionate approach to client care.
• Willingness to continue learning and stay updated on veterinary practices.
• Must be 18 years or older to apply.