A veterinary assistant provides essential support to licensed veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and other animal health staff. They are often responsible for cleaning equipment, restraining animals, scheduling appointments, communicating with pet owners, and assisting with medical procedures and treatments of pets and livestock under the direction of the veterinarian.
Crafting an effective veterinary assistant job description is crucial to attract qualified applicants for this critical role. Continue reading for details on key sections to include, examples, frequently asked questions about the job, and tips on optimally presenting the veterinary assistant opportunity at your practice.
A complete veterinary assistant job posting includes:
Briefly summarize the role in a few concise sentences highlighting the core duties and purpose.
Example: Seeking an enthusiastic, animal-loving Veterinary Assistant to support our veterinary clinic by assisting with pet exams, treatments, medical procedures, kennel duties, client communications and general administrative tasks. Full or part-time roles available.
Use bullet points to break down the key tasks and level of involvement. Examples of veterinary assistant responsibilities:
List must-have baseline qualifications like:
As well as valuable skills that may be learned over time:
And specialized certifications or advanced skills like:
Set clear expectations around common scenarios within the role like:
Note any compelling benefits the role offers like health coverage, paid time off, wellness plans, pet care discounts, etc. to excite candidates.
For additional inspiration, review examples of full veterinary assistant job descriptions:
Our expanding veterinary clinic seeks an Entry-Level Veterinary Assistant to support our animal health team by feeding/walking animals, sterilizing equipment, restraining during exams and procedures, stocking supplies, and providing excellent client service. Prior experience in an animal care environment preferred but will train exceptional candidates passionate about animal wellbeing, learning veterinary care, and delivering compassionate service with a fast-paced supportive team. Requires ability to frequently lift 50 lbs., strong communication skills and detail orientation. Offering flexible scheduling across weekdays/weekends, employee pet care discounts and potential for quick advancement to Lead Veterinary Assistant role.
ABC Specialty & Emergency Animal Hospital seeks a Veterinary Assistant to join our skilled veterinary team managing critical and specialty cases. In this fast-paced hospital environment, you will work closely with doctors and technicians to monitor patients, explain treatment plans to clients, schedule surgeries and procedures, admit/discharge animals from hospitalization and triage according to symptoms and urgency. Previous veterinary hospital experience strongly preferred. Emergency medicine experience, CVA certification or veterinary technician credentials a plus. Exceptional opportunity to advance your animal care expertise and experience alongside board certified specialists and seasoned nursing staff at the leading hospital in the region.
When preparing to interview candidates for a veterinary assistant opening, asking the right questions provides insight into their experience, skills and fit. Below are commonly asked questions with examples of ideal responses:
A: I have a lifelong passion for animal welfare and caring for pets. I love being able to comfort distressed animals while supporting diagnostic and treatment processes to improve animal health outcomes. I am most driven to help educate pet owners on proper care so they can support treatment plans.
A: Safety is a top priority, so I would immediately clean and treat any wound before notifying the veterinarian on duty no matter how minor it may seem. I would attempt to identify factors that led to the bite so that I can avoid triggering similar situations in the future through improved approach techniques. I understand that scared, sick or injured animals instinctively lash out so I would never blame the pet.
A: I am eager to strengthen laboratory skills like collecting and preparing specimens, microscopy work and completing in-house lab testing. I also want to become certified on equipment like radiology machines plus continue advancing my knowledge of medications and treatment terminology. Administrative-wise I aim to provide excellent customer experiences so clients feel informed, confident in treatment plans which also supports follow up care and loyalty.
Use these tips to optimize your veterinary assistant job posting:
Highlight Growth Opportunities Emphasize if this role leads towards veterinary technician or office management paths. Ambitious assistants want upward mobility.
Showcase Company Culture & Values Spotlight what makes your clinic special – state-of-the-art technology, specialists on staff, community outreach initiatives, research opportunities etc.
Use Action Keywords
Prioritize action verbs like “educate”, “support”, "recommend" “advise” over soft skills terms like “understand” or “appreciate” pets.
List Urgent Hiring Needs Upfront
If you need to fill this role urgently due to being short-staffed, highlight this early in posting to court passionate assistants who can start rapidly.
Specify Exact Skills/Certifications Required
If certain credentials like a CVA certification are mandatory, bold this so only properly qualified candidates apply.
Describe Work Environment Detail high traffic lobby, frequent interruptions and fast-paced environment needing multitasking. Sets proper expectations.
Highlight Schedule/Hours Flexibility
If you offer shift flexibility, compressed schedules or ability to pick up extra shifts emphasize this work-life balance perk.
Showcase Employee Benefits & Discounts Veterinary care discounts attract animal lovers though also detail medical/dental insurance, retirement savings plans, pet bereavement services etc.
Beyond “veterinary assistant” other titles for these roles include:
Use the framework, examples and advice covered here to craft an optimal veterinary assistant job description that excites and converts passionate applicants with relevant interest or experience to apply. This allows you to hire top talent that will thrive supporting your clinic long term.