Veterinary Assistant job description template

Veterinary assistants support the veterinarians and technicians: holding animals for exams and treatments, cleaning kennels and exam rooms, feeding and walking hospitalized patients, and helping clients. It's a common way into veterinary work, and the job usually doesn't require a credential. A good post says how much training you provide and which tasks assistants do at your clinic.

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Veterinary Assistant

Full-time
Your Company is hiring a veterinary assistant to help our team care for dogs, cats and the people who love them. You'll restrain patients for exams and treatments, keep exam rooms and kennels clean, feed and walk patients, and help our veterinarians and technicians wherever needed. We'll train you on safe handling and our procedures. If you're gentle with animals, steady under pressure and don't mind getting messy, we'd love to meet you.

What you’ll do

  • Hold and restrain dogs and cats gently and safely for exams, vaccines and blood draws
  • Clean and disinfect exam rooms, kennels and the surgery area between patients
  • Feed, water and walk hospitalized and boarding patients, and note appetite and behavior
  • Collect stool and urine samples and prepare them for the technician or lab as directed
  • Restock exam rooms, wash laundry and run the autoclave once you're trained
  • Carry pets between the lobby, exam rooms and treatment area, and help clients load them into cars
  • Prepare prescription labels and count medications when a veterinarian or technician directs you
  • Tell a technician or veterinarian right away if a patient seems to be in distress

What we’re looking for

  • Comfortable handling dogs and cats of all sizes and temperaments, with training provided
  • Able to lift and hold animals up to 50 lbs with help from a coworker
  • Okay with blood, bodily fluids, strong smells and sad moments, including euthanasia
  • Reliable, punctual and willing to help wherever the team needs you
  • Available for evening, weekend and holiday shifts as scheduled

Nice to have

  • Experience at a vet clinic, animal shelter, kennel or grooming salon
  • Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) designation or veterinary assistant coursework
  • Interest in becoming a credentialed veterinary technician

Schedule

Full-time, including some evening and weekend shifts. Holiday shifts for patient and boarding care are shared on a rotation.

What we offer

  • Discounted veterinary care for your own pets
  • Paid on-the-job training in handling and clinic procedures
  • Scrubs provided
  • Paid time off
  • Tuition help if you go on to veterinary technician school

Add your pay, location and schedule when you post. Jobs that show pay get noticeably more applicants.

Screening questions for a veterinary assistant

Ask these on the application form to sort applicants quickly. They’re added automatically when you post this template.

  • Are you comfortable restraining dogs and cats, including ones that are scared or aggressive?Yes / No · required
  • What experience do you have working with animals, paid or volunteer?Short answer · required
  • Why do you want to work in a veterinary clinic?Paragraph

Veterinary Assistant interview questions

  1. Tell me about your experience handling animals. Have you dealt with a fearful or aggressive one?
  2. How would you hold a cat that's struggling during a vaccine?
  3. A boarding dog hasn't eaten and seems much quieter than this morning. What do you do?
  4. How do you feel about being present for a euthanasia or a clinic emergency?
  5. Cleaning is a big part of this job. How do you keep up when the clinic is busy?
  6. A client in the lobby is upset about how long they've been waiting. How would you respond?
  7. Where would you like to be in veterinary medicine in a few years?

Tips for hiring a veterinary assistant

  • Hold a paid working interview where the candidate helps with a few appointments and kennel tasks. How they handle animals and pitch in tells you more than any answer.
  • Check your state's veterinary practice act for which tasks assistants may perform. The rules differ from state to state.
  • Shelter volunteers, kennel staff and bathers often make strong assistants. Animal handling is hard to teach, and clinic routines are not.
  • Be honest in the post about cleaning, weekends and emotional moments. People who know what to expect tend to stay.