Veterinary Assistant

Hollymead Veterinary Hospital offers General Practice and Urgent Care services to companion animals in Charlottesville, Virginia. Formerly known as VETSS (Veterinary Emergency Treatment and Specialty Services), our hospital has provided emergency services to the Charlottesville community for over 30 years. In 2018, as the landscape of veterinary care evolved, we began shifting towards urgent care and general practice services.

Our team is dedicated to both pets and their owners, and we pride ourselves on delivering medical excellence and patient-centered care in a comforting environment. We have several team members that are Fear-Free certified, led by a people-focused Practice Manager!

Veterinary Assistant

🐾 Love Animals? Love Being Part of a Team? We Want to Meet You! 🐾

Are you the person who can’t walk past a puppy without saying hello, thinks cleaning up after pets is just part of the job, and genuinely enjoys making a difference in the lives of animals and their people? Then you might be exactly who we’re looking for!

Hollymead Veterinary Hospital is looking for an enthusiastic, compassionate Veterinary Assistant to join our team! If you’re dependable, eager to learn, enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, and want to be part of a team that truly cares about our patients, clients, and each other—we’d love to hear from you! 🐶🐱❤️

Position Summary:

The Veterinary Assistant provides essential support to the veterinarian during outpatient exams and throughout the diagnosis and treatment of patients. They care for all patients, assist with medical procedures, and help ensure each patient receives high-quality, compassionate care. In this role, the Veterinary Assistant also serves as a key connection between the veterinarian and clients. Through exceptional service and communication, the Veterinary Assistant helps build trust and foster lasting relationships with clients and their pets.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provides compassionate, professional care to patients and clients at all times.

• Communicates clearly and respectfully with clients, doctors, and team members, including answering phones and routing inquiries as needed.

• Handles sensitive client situations with empathy and discretion, escalating medical questions appropriately.

• Assists the veterinarian during exams, diagnostics, treatments, and surgical procedures.

• Safely restrains animals of varying sizes and temperaments using low-stress handling techniques.

• Administers medications, draws up vaccines, collects lab samples, and performs basic lab tests as directed.

• Creates, reviews, and enters treatment plans accurately in the medical record system.

• Educates clients on common vaccinations, medications, and treatment protocols to ensure understanding of care plans and follow-up recommendations.

• Accurately records patient information and maintains organized, up-to-date medical records.

• Enters charges accurately and assists with the client check-out process, including processing payments when needed.

• Ensures exam rooms, treatment areas, and hospital spaces are clean, stocked, and well maintained.

• Demonstrates consistent reliability, punctuality, and commitment to supporting patients, clients, and hospital operations.

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

• Basic computer proficiency, including the ability to use practice management software and Microsoft Office applications.

• Previous experience working with animals preferred; veterinary or animal care background strongly valued.

• Able to work safely around cleaning chemicals, anesthetic gases, radiation, zoonotic diseases, and animal bodily fluids.

• Maintains composure and professionalism in emotionally challenging or high-stress situations.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and safely handle animals up to 130 pounds.

• Comfortable sitting, standing, walking, bending, and kneeling for extended periods throughout the workday.

• Professional, neat appearance consistent with hospital standards.

Hours:

• Must be able to work a flexible schedule and be available for scheduling during all hours the practice is open to support hospital operations.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation: $17-20/hour, commensurate with licensure and experience

• We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage. In addition, employees are eligible to participate in our 401(k) retirement plan. Other benefits include paid time off, paid holidays and access to employee assistance program.