Veterinary Assistant Surgery

VCA Capital Area Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Animal Hospital is seeking a compassionate and dedicated experienced Veterinary Assistant to join our surgery team.

Working as a veterinary assistant in a specialty surgery department means being part of the action from prep to recovery — restraining and comforting patients, supporting the surgical and anesthesia team throughout each procedure, and keeping the whole surgical suite running smoothly so the team can focus on complex, often life-saving surgeries.

You'll see advanced procedures most assistants never get exposed to, work shoulder-to-shoulder with board-certified surgeons and experienced technicians, and build hands-on skills that set you apart in the field. It's fast-paced, hugely rewarding, and every day gives you a front-row seat to some of the most advanced veterinary medicine out there.

Compensation: $20.00 - $32.00 / hour dependent on experience, and skill set.

Potential Schedule: Full-time, (3) 12s Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Learn more about us here: https://vcahospitals.com/capital-area-emergency

Veterinary Assistant Skills - Surgery Department

• Restrains and handles patients safely and calmly during pre-op prep, procedures, and recovery
• Preps patients for surgery, including clipping and positioning, while maintaining a clean and organized environment
• Supports the anesthesia and surgical team throughout procedures, assisting wherever needed to keep cases running smoothly
• Sterilizes, packs, and organizes surgical instruments and equipment, including autoclave operation
• Sets up and breaks down surgical suites, maintaining supplies and equipment readiness between cases
• Assists with patient monitoring during recovery, observing comfort, wound sites, and overall status
• Supports post-operative patient care, including bandaging assistance, comfort care, and husbandry for recovering patients
• Maintains accurate records and communicates clearly with the surgical technician and veterinary team
• Assists with client updates and coordination around surgical patient intake and discharge
• Stays composed and efficient in a fast-paced, high-stakes surgical environment

We're looking for someone positive, motivated, and ready to bring ideas to the table — our team meets frequently, and your input genuinely shapes how we grow. We protect our culture fiercely, and that means hiring people with the determination to rise above obstacles, wear multiple hats, and show up for their team.

VCA Total Rewards Benefits Package:

Career Growth & Education

• VCA-sponsored Veterinary Technician National Exam + employer-paid test prep
• Paid yearly NAVTA membership & state credential renewal
• VCA-sponsored scholarships and generous discounts to Penn Foster's Veterinary Technician Program
• Woof University: free, RACE-approved CE, training and job support webinars on demand
• Free subscriptions to Vetfolio and Plumb's online formulary, plus substantial VETgirl savings
• Unlimited access to Mars Veterinary Health library (2,000+ journals, 600+ textbooks)
• Nationwide hospital transfer opportunities

Time Off & Family Support

• Paid vacation and paid sick days
• Paid parental leave & fertility benefits
• Paid bereavement days

Health & Wellness

• Free mental health support through the Cigna Life Assistance Program & Lyra
• Free Headspace subscription (meditation and sleep support)

Perks for You & Your Pets

• Generous hospital discounts for your personal pets, including free vaccines
• Discounted Hills or Royal Canin pet food delivered to your home
• 3 pairs of scrubs per year

Compensation & Financial Security

• 401(k) retirement savings with employer contribution
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with HSA/FSA options
• Multiple, flexible health insurance plans to fit your needs
• 100% employer-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Employer-paid basic life insurance

...and more!

Take a moment to watch what life as a veterinary technician at VCA looks like, straight from a technician's point of view: https://vimeo.com/684755121/10c909cbf5

Why VCA

VCA is one of the largest networks of animal hospitals in the country — but you'd never know it from the way we operate. Every hospital keeps its own identity, its own team, and its own culture, while giving you access to the resources, mentorship, and career opportunities of a national organization behind you. You get the best of both: the tight-knit feel of a local practice and the backing, benefits, and growth potential of an industry leader.

We're genuinely invested in your career — not just your job. From continuing education to credential support to nationwide transfer opportunities if life takes you somewhere new, we build the kind of support system that helps technicians build real, lasting careers, not just punch a clock. This is a place where your work is seen, your growth is prioritized, and your future in this field matters to us.

Interested in this opportunity?

Apply!

We look forward to hearing from you.

The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development)

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com

If you are a current associate, you need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs.

Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!

The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development).

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com.