Veterinary Assistant
National Veterinary Associates (NVA)Group
Virginia Posted
- $19.00 to $23.00 per hour
- Full time
- Swings
- GP
Benefits mentioned: Health insurance, 401(k) or retirement, CE allowance, Paid time off, Pet care discount, Uniform allowance
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About this job
City: Herndon
State: Virginia
Hospital Name: Herndon Animal Medical Center
Job Type: Support Staff
Veterinary Assistant
Herndon Animal Medical Center — Herndon, VA
Full-time | $19–$23/hour based on experience | No nights or weekends
About Herndon Animal Medical Center
At Herndon Animal Medical Center, we believe great care starts with really knowing the pets and people we serve. Every pet is someone's family, not just a name on the schedule. Good medicine here depends on the whole team: our doctors, technicians, assistants, and client service crew work together, and we've built a culture around communication, respect, and speaking up for the patient in front of you.
What You'll Be Doing
This isn't a "stand around and hold the leash" job. You'll be in the thick of it:
- Working right alongside our doctors and LVTs during exams, treatments, and procedures.
- Handling and restraining dogs and cats with a calm, confident touch (the wiggly ones and the growly ones both need you to be the steady hand).
- Drawing blood, running in-house labs, and prepping samples for reference labs (or learning fast if you don't know how yet).
- Giving vaccines, meds, and treatments under vet supervision.
- Helping with surgical prep, keeping an eye on patients under anesthesia, and easing them through recovery.
- Taking radiographs and helping with other diagnostics.
- Talking to clients — real conversations about their pet's care, what to do at home, and what happens next. You're often the friendly, informed voice they remember.
- Keeping medical records accurate and charges entered (not the fun part, but it keeps the whole place running).
- Making sure exam rooms and treatment areas are clean, stocked, and ready to go — no scrambling mid-appointment.
- Helping out with kennel and general facility upkeep, because everyone pitches in here.
Who We're Looking For
- Veterinary experience is a plus, but if you're new and eager to learn, we want to talk to you — and we'd love to help you build a real career here.
- You're not squeamish about venipuncture, lab work, or the occasional less-glamorous clinical task.
- You can safely lift, handle, and restrain dogs and cats with compassion — even the ones having a rough day.
- You communicate clearly, whether it's with a nervous client, a busy doctor, or a teammate mid-shift.
- You stay organized and level-headed when things get hectic (and in a vet hospital, they will).
- You show up on time and own your work.
- You're comfortable with computers and practice management software (or ready to learn a new system).
What You Get in Return
- No nights or weekends. Your evenings and Saturdays are yours.
- $19–$24/hour based on experience.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance.
- 401(k) with company match.
- Paid time off and paid holidays.
- Uniform allowance.
- Employee pet care discounts (yes, for your own pets).
- Real training, CE support, and professional development — not just a binder you skim once.
- A team that's got your back, focused on the patients and on each other.
Location: In person — Herndon, VA
National Veterinary Associates (NVA), part of a hospital group
603 open jobs on VetTeamJobs. See all 603 jobs Careers site
Listed pay $19.00 to $23.00 per hour ($39,520 to $47,840 a year at 2,080 hours). That is 17% above the Virginia median of $18.01 an hour for veterinary assistants. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Vet assistant pay guide
Posted September 25, 2026. Last checked on NVA Careers. Interviewing here? 30 questions to ask a clinic
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