Veterinary Assistant - Part Time

If you are a current associate, apply through the internal career site in Workday.

About the role

The Veterinary Assistant supports the veterinarians and veterinary technicians in ensuring quality veterinary care for all pets, advocates for pets, educates clients on all aspects of pet health, and ensures a safe and effective hospital environment.

Responsibilities

• Live and exemplify the Five Principles of Mars, Inc. within self and team.
• Act as the extra eyes, ears, and hands for the veterinarian and veterinary technician to ensure the best quality pet care and to maximize productivity. Communicate with veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and all other associates to maintain patient flow.
• Provide professional, efficient, and exceptional service at all times, including performing or preparing procedures that do not require veterinarian or veterinary technician assistance, completing preparatory work, ensuring client and pet comfort, and monitoring hospitalized or surgical pets as allowed by state practice acts.
• Educate clients about Optimum Wellness Plans, preventive care, pet health needs, hospital services, and other issues.
• Obtain relevant information and history from clients and maintain proper and complete medical charts.
• Ensure the safety of pets, clients, and associates by utilizing safe restraining techniques, following standard protocols, and maintaining clean, sterile, and organized treatment areas, exam rooms, and labs.
• Assist with surgery as applicable.
• Utilize technical skills to the fullest within state practice acts and as outlined in the NAVTA guidelines for veterinary assistant skills and duties.
• Mentor other paraprofessionals in the hospital.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The Five Principles

• Quality – The consumer is our boss, quality is our work, and value for money is our goal.
• Responsibility – As individuals, we demand total responsibility from ourselves; as associates, we support the responsibility of others.
• Mutuality – A mutual benefit is a shared benefit; a shared benefit will endure.
• Efficiency – We use resources to the full, waste nothing, and do only what we can do best.
• Freedom – We need freedom to shape our future; we need profit to remain free.

Requirements

• Certificate of completion from a NAVTA-approved Veterinary Assistant program or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Must be able to perform all required skills of NAVTA-approved veterinary assistant programs at a level that aids in the efficiency of the practice.
• Must be at least 18 years old to perform duties involving radiography (x-ray) and exposure to radioactive substances.
• One year of related experience required; customer service experience preferred.
• Ability to multi-task, managing multiple tasks at once under distracting conditions without loss of accuracy or frustration.
• Strong communication skills in English, including reading, writing, and speaking with appropriate grammar and style.
• Organizational ability, demonstrating a systematic approach to tasks and excelling at turning chaos into order.
• Problem-solving skills, with a strong ability to identify, analyze, and solve problems, translating them into practical solutions.
• Client service skills, consistently ensuring attentive, courteous, and informative service.
• Intellectual ability to follow instructions delivered orally, in writing, or via diagrams, and to provide directions.
• Mathematical ability to perform basic arithmetic and convert units of measurement.
• Computer skills, including comfort with specialized medical software, Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.

Skills & Attributes

• Leadership: Action Oriented, Customer Focus, Listening, Peer Relationships, Personal Learning.
• Functional: Ensure medical quality, Effective communication, Drive for results, Priority Setting.
• Attitudes (Will Do):
  • Initiative – Takes appropriate steps to find solutions and presents ideas to enhance processes.
  • Integrity – Adheres to the values and ethics of Banfield Pet Hospital with honesty and discretion.
  • Cooperativeness – Works well with others, collaborates, and shares information promptly.
  • Flexibility – Open to changing situations and willing to perform all assigned tasks.
  • Independence – Able to perform tasks without supervision when appropriate.
  • Tolerance for Stress / Resiliency – Maintains a positive outlook and rebounds quickly from frustrations.

Working Conditions

• Ability to work at a computer for long periods.
• Confidence around pets (e.g., dogs, cats, birds, reptiles).
• Client needs and work volume may require more than 40 hours per week, including weekends and evenings.
• Mental processes for reasoning, memory, mathematics, and language ability to perform duties proficiently.
• Moderately high noise levels in the work environment.
• Sufficient ambulatory skills to perform duties, including standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and climbing, as well as manipulating up to 50 pounds.
• Good hand-eye coordination, arm-hand-finger dexterity, and visual acuity for operating equipment.
• Specific vision abilities: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Routine exposure to pets that may bite or scratch, and occasional exposure to anesthesia, radiation, biological hazards, and medication/controlled substances.

Pay

The pay range for this role is $17.60 - $22.49 per hour. The specific rate is determined based on the candidate’s experience, skill level, education, and may vary depending on location or applicable minimum wage laws.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance – Coverage for essential health and wellness needs.
• Generous Retirement Plans (401(k) and Roth) – Company match to help build a secure financial future.
• Best-in-Class Student Debt Relief Program – For full-time DVMs to address student debt.
• Paid Time Off and Holidays – Time to recharge and celebrate personal days.
• Top-Tier Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources – Free coaching and counseling sessions.
• Associate Life Insurance – Company-paid life insurance with the option to purchase additional coverage.
• Company-Paid Short- and Long-Term Disability – Financial protection in case of disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) – Pre-tax savings for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) – Tax-advantaged savings for medical expenses.
• Paid Parental Leave – For both birth and adoption.
• Continuing Education Allowance – Financial assistance for eligible positions to pursue further education.
• Back-Up Child and Elder Care & Family Support Resources – Support for unpredictable family needs.
• Fertility and Family Building Support – Comprehensive support for fertility treatments and family-building options.
• Digital Exercise Therapy – Program designed to fit a busy lifestyle.
• Voluntary Protection Benefits – Coverage for hospital stays, critical illness, and accidents.
• Legal Plan – Affordable and accessible coverage for a wide range of legal needs.
• Identity Protection – Alerts for suspicious activity and support if personal information is stolen.
• Commuter Benefits – Convenient and cost-effective commuting options.
• Three Free Optimum Wellness Plans for Pets – Preventive and general care for your pets.
• Exclusive Discounts – Savings on a wide variety of products and services.

Benefits eligibility is based on employment status. Full-time associates are eligible for all benefit programs (Student Debt Program available for full-time DVMs only); part-time associates are eligible for benefits marked with an asterisk (*).