Surgery Assistant

Veterinary Surgery Assistant

Buzzards Bay, MA
$18–$21 per hour

Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists is looking for a Surgery Assistant to join our Buzzards Bay team. This position offers hands-on involvement in surgical patient care and the opportunity to learn alongside experienced surgeons and veterinary nurses.

If you have veterinary hospital experience and enjoy preparing for procedures, keeping details organized, and helping colleagues, we’d welcome the chance to meet you.

About the Role

You’ll help prepare patients, instruments, and work areas for surgery and assist the team throughout the day. Your work helps ensure that supplies are ready, spaces are clean, and patients receive attentive care.

Surgery assistants are part of the daily coordination and care our patients depend on. You’ll work closely with colleagues who bring different skills and experience to the department, with opportunities to ask questions, contribute, and continue learning.

As you become familiar with the department, you’ll build practical skills and learn how each part of the surgical process supports patient safety.

What You’ll Do

• Assist surgeons and veterinary nurses with patient care and procedures.
• Run in-house pre-surgical blood work as directed.
• Prepare and clean surgical suites before and after procedures.
• Clean, pack, and sterilize surgical instruments.
• Assist with safe patient handling and restraint for treatments and diagnostics.
• Help with diagnostic imaging.
• Keep treatment areas, exam rooms, and laboratory spaces clean, stocked, and organized.
• Clean and disinfect patient housing.
• Launder and restock patient bedding according to hospital protocols.
• Cross-train and assist in other areas as needed.

What We’re Looking For

• Previous veterinary surgery experience or at least six months of experience in a veterinary hospital.
• Attention to detail when preparing equipment, following cleaning protocols, and assisting with patient care.
• Organization and the ability to adjust priorities as the day’s needs change.
• Clear, respectful communication with colleagues, clients, and referring veterinary teams.
• Willingness to ask questions, learn new skills, and help colleagues.
• Comfort learning veterinary software.
• Ability to perform essential duties, with or without reasonable accommodation, including working on your feet for extended periods and assisting with lifting, positioning, and safely handling patients weighing 50 pounds or more, using team assistance and equipment as appropriate.

An associate degree in veterinary technology or completion of a NAVTA-approved veterinary assistant program is helpful but not required.

Schedule and Compensation

This is a full-time, Monday–Friday position, with on-call responsibilities as required by the Surgery department. The initial training schedule may differ.

Compensation is $18–$21 per hour, based on relevant experience, skills, credentials, and internal equity. Most new hires can expect an offer between the minimum and midpoint of the range.

Benefits and Professional Development (including but not limited to)

• Paid time off and holiday pay
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options
• FSA or HSA options
• Short- and long-term disability options
• 401(k)
• Continuing education program
• Advanced Veterinary Nurse Training Program
• Uniform allowance
• Trupanion pet insurance with company-paid premiums for two team member pets
• On-site Veterinary Social Worker
• Employee Assistance Program

About CCVS

Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists is an emergency and specialty referral hospital with locations in Buzzards Bay and Dennis, serving Cape Cod and the Islands. Our team includes more than 20 specialists across eight specialties, with AAHA-accredited Surgery, Internal Medicine, and Emergency departments.

Our hospital expansion is planned for completion by early May 2027 and will include five surgery suites, MRI, fluoroscopy, and new Neurology, Ophthalmology, and Nephrology departments, bringing additional opportunities for anesthesia nurses to expand their experience.

You’ll join a department where your preparation, attention to detail, and patient care contribute to the team’s daily work, with opportunities to ask questions and build your skills.

If you’re interested in surgical nursing support and enjoy working as part of a veterinary team, we’d love to hear from you.

Learn more about CCVS.