Veterinary Assistant

Veterinary Assistant

Salary

$54,600.00 - $58,500.00 Annually

Location

2255 Manchester Rd., Wheaton, IL, IL

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

26-00132

Department

Animal Services Department

Opening Date

10/30/2026

Closing Date

11/8/2026 4:30 PM Central

Hours

Every Saturday 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; Tuesday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Schedule may including weekends, holidays, evenings, or participation in rotating schedules based on the operational needs of DuPage County Animal Services.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

POSITION SUMMARY

We are pleased to offer the current job opportunity for a Veterinary Assistant position in the Animal Services Department. DuPage County Animal Services (DCAS) is an immediate open admission shelter caring for more than 2,300 animals of varying species annually.

This position is eligible for our complete benefit package including medical, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, pension, deferred compensation plan, tuition reimbursement, pre-paid legal and credit union. As a team member at DuPage County, you will also have access to time off with pay on Designated Holidays or holiday pay if required to work, Vacation time, Sick time and Paid Leave. To learn more about the cost and coverage of the benefits plan, visit Employees Benefit Information.

For detailed information on paid time off, visit Employee Policy Manual, Section 5

DuPage County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities Include:

• Provides daily medical care, treatment, and monitoring for dogs, cats, and other animals in the shelter (including daily medication administration and supportive care to critical animals).
• Observes shelter animals and communicates medical and behavioral observations to the shelter veterinarian including monitoring Daily Observation logs for all animals.
• Assists the shelter veterinarian and veterinary technician with examinations, diagnostics, treatments, and medical procedures.
• Administers medications (e.g. as injections, oral medication, topical treatments, etc.), vaccinations, microchip implantation, and other treatments as prescribed.
• Cleans/Disinfects clinic areas, including cages, surgical equipment, animal transport devices, etc.
• Performs and assists with laboratory testing, including collection and processing of blood, urine, fecal, and other diagnostic samples. Prepares samples for outside laboratory analysis including accurate preparation and coordinating pickup.
• Assists with spay/neuter and all other surgical procedures, including anesthetic induction, aseptic patient preparation, and post-operative recovery.
• Monitors patients during anesthesia and surgical procedures and recognizes potential complications.
• Cleans instruments, wraps surgical packs, and operates autoclave to sanitize surgical equipment.
• Performs routine treatments such as wound care, bandage changes, ear cleaning, nail trims, and other veterinary procedures within the scope of practice.
• Monitors animals for signs of illness, injury, pain, behavioral changes, or other medical concerns and promptly communicates findings to the veterinarian.
• Assists with animal intake examinations, health assessments, vaccinations, and preparation for adoption.
• Maintains accurate and timely medical records, treatment notes, medication records, and surgical documentation.
• Follows established protocols for infectious-disease prevention, isolation, sanitation, and shelter biosecurity.
• Safely and humanely handles and restrains animals using appropriate, low-stress handling techniques.
• Maintains clean, organized, and sanitary treatment, surgical, isolation, clinic, and animal-care areas.
• Maintains stock of medical supplies in surgery room, prep room, clinic, and clinic support areas (Euthanasia room, Intake, Cat Holding, Flex Spaces, etc.)
• Provides basic medical-care guidance to shelter staff, volunteers, foster caregivers, and adopters as appropriate.
• Provides medical support for fosters including performing routine vaccinations/weight checks, maintaining foster surgical schedule, and advising fosters on medical concerns, treatments, and course of action.
• Collaborates with animal-care, behavior, foster, adoption, and administrative teams to support positive outcomes for shelter animals.
• Assists with emergency and urgent medical cases as needed. Including providing critical care such as fluid administration, CPR, etc. for critically ill or injured patients.
• Participates in continuing education and remains current with shelter medicine and veterinary-care practices.
• Maintains accurate records including Labeling Drugs/chemicals and SDS Binder, Controlled substance logs, etc.
• Places appropriate communicative signage when applicable- i.e. NPO, Caution, Special Diet, Contagious, etc.
• Participates in maintaining medical inventory by communicating inventory shortages/surplus' with technician and veterinarian.
• Completes adoption packets for animals going up for adoption (rabies certificate, state medical disclosure, medical record, microchip info, booster info etc.)
• Transports animals to/from off-site veterinary hospitals/locations for diagnostics, medical, or surgical care.
• Maintains regular attendance and punctuality.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Adjusts work assignments and schedules in the event of an emergency to participate in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities as assigned.
• Depending on assignment may maintain required emergency management training, licensure and/or certifications.
• Performs related duties as required or assigned within job classification.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None.

REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Completion of a High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• One (1) year of experience as a Veterinary Assistant or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Must possess and maintain in good standing a valid Illinois Driver's License.

Veterinary Assistant Certification from an accredited program is preferred.

A pre-employment background check is required.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Heavy Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Use of arm and /or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than for medium work.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This is a hands-on position in an animal shelter and veterinary-care environment. The role involves working with animals with a wide range of medical and behavioral needs and may include exposure to animal waste, loud noises, unfavorable odors, infectious (including zoonotic) diseases, injured/distressed/fractious animals, and emotionally challenging situations. They may be subject to animal bites/scratches and sharp objects. Employees will be exposed to supplies commonly used in a veterinary setting including, but not limited to anesthetic gases, X-Ray Irradiation (within appropriate OSHA standards.)

DuPage County offers a complete benefit package to full-time employees including medical insurance, dental insurance, vision, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, pension, holidays, vacation, sick leave, deferred compensation plan, tuition reimbursement, pre-paid legal and credit union. Limited benefits are also offered for eligible part-time positions.

To learn more details, visit our Benefits page.

01

Select the response below that represents your highest completed level of education.

• Masters Degree from an Accredited Institution
• Bachelors Degree from an Accredited Institution
• Associates Degree from an Accredited Institution
• Some college level courses completed but no degree awarded from an Accredited Institution
• High School Graduate or GED Equivalent
• None of the above

02

If you have a degree, what is it in?

03

How many years of experience do you have working as a Veterinary Assistant?

• 5 or more years
• 4 years of experience
• 3 years of experience
• 2 years of experience
• 1 year of experience
• Less than 1 year of experience
• No experience

04

Please indicate your experience in the following categories. Select all that apply:

• Shelter Medicine
• Emergency Veterinary Medicine
• Exotics Veterinary Practice
• Specialty Veterinary Practice
• No Experience

05

Please describe your experience for each selection in the above question. Include your job title and name of employer. This information must be supported by your application or resume. If you do not have this experience, indicate N/A.

06

Do you have experience assisting during surgery? (e.g. preparing animals, instruments and equipment for surgery, monitoring animals under anesthesia and during recovery, autoclaving surgical packs, etc.)?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have experience administering emergency drugs as well as the ability to administer IV fluids, medications and intubation of both dogs and cats?

• Yes
• No

08

Are you proficient in the use of Veterinary medical terminology and have previous experience entering medical information into a computer database?

• Yes
• No

09

Are you currently certified to administer euthanasia by injection?

• Yes
• No

10

This position requires that you possess and maintain in good standing a valid Illinois Drivers License. Do you possess this requirement?

• Yes
• No
• No, but I possess a valid drivers license within another State and am able to obtain a valid Illinois Drivers License within 90 days of employment.

11

Are you able to perform the following, with or without an accommodation? Heavy Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Use of arm and /or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than for medium work.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer County of DuPage

Address 421 N. County Farm Road

Wheaton, Illinois, 60187

Phone (630) 407-6300

Website https://www.dupagecounty.gov