ECC Veterinary Assistant

Job Details

Job Location: Walpole, MA 02081Position Type: Full-Time/Part-TimeSalary Range: $20.00 - $24.00 HourlyJob Shift: Any

Tufts V.E.T.S. is a multispecialty emergency and critical care VECCS level 1 certified facility in New England. We are an affiliate of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, at Tufts University, providing a unique environment that integrates learning into a busy private practice setting.  We are committed to providing the highest standard of patient care from a wide range of specialty services including emergency and critical care, anesthesia, surgery, internal medicine, oncology, radiology and diagnostic imaging, ophthalmology, dermatology, cardiology, and urgent care.  We are continually seeking to unite highly skilled professionals in veterinary medicine to provide a collaborative environment that strives to promote and strengthen the human-animal bond.    

 

Tufts V.E.T.S. strives to be a community where diversity and inclusion are a priority. 

 

REPORTS TO:  ECC Technician Supervisor

 

POSITION OVERVIEW

Veterinary Assistants play an essential role in supporting the ECC team by providing compassionate patient care, assisting with medical procedures, and maintaining a clean and organized hospital environment. In this role, Veterinary Assistants work closely with technicians and doctors to support treatments, procedures, and client communication while also handling daily responsibilities such as patient husbandry, feeding, cleaning, and stocking. Each Veterinary Assistant level has defined skills that may be performed once successfully signed off, ensuring a structured path for professional development and advancement through Levels 1–3.

This position requires flexibility, teamwork, and strong communication skills, as responsibilities range from patient handling and basic laboratory work to assisting with surgical preparation and client interactions. Veterinary Assistants are expected to remain proactive, organized, and professional in a fast-paced environment while prioritizing tasks effectively. Opportunities for growth are built into the role, with ongoing training and skills sign-offs that expand the scope of responsibilities as each level is achieved.

 

POSITION RESPONSBILITIES

Veterinary Assistants in this role are expected to actively work toward and complete Level 1 and Level 2 Veterinary Assistant skill sign-offs as part of their professional development. Veterinary Assistants will have the opportunity to also work towards Level 3. See Veterinary Assistant Skills List for detailed requirements.

• Each VA Level has specific skills that can only be performed once the Veterinary Assistant has successfully passed that level outside of the responsibilities listed below.

• Provide compassionate care to all patients and clients.

• Conduct oneself in a confident, professional manner—even under stress or while focused on individual tasks.

• Assist veterinary technicians with patient treatments, procedures, and triage.

• Perform general husbandry of all inpatients.

• Follow a consistent schedule for cleaning and sanitizing cages, runs, wards, and related areas, including changing litter boxes and refreshing food/water bowls.

• Take direction from the Supervisor or Lead on prioritizing responsibilities during shifts.

• Assist with general department cleaning and stocking; understand and complete daily, weekly, and monthly checklists to maintain ECC cleanliness, equipment, and overall appearance.

• Feed patients according to attending doctor’s orders or owner’s requests and record appetite.

• Demonstrate proficiency with basic functions of the EMR (StringSoft), including: printing patient labels, entering patient history, looking up patients/clients, recording client communications, checking appointments, reviewing invoices/estimates, and completing patient treatments (with technician/doctor oversight).

• Collect and enter basic patient history into EMR.

• Obtain and document patient vitals (TPRW) in EMR.

• Safely and effectively restrain patients for exams, blood draws, catheter placement, procedures, or treatments.

• Set up for ECC procedures (e.g., laceration repairs, urinary blockages, tracheal washes).

• Perform basic i