Veterinary Assistant, Anesthesia

Veterinary Assistant (Anesthesia) – | $20/hr & up

Location: Virginia Veterinary Centers - Short Pump, VA
Full-Time | 5x8s | Monday - Friday | 9am - 5pm
$20/hr & up

The Veterinary Anesthesia Assistant supports the anesthesiologist and anesthesia LVTs with patient preparation, anesthesia procedures, equipment readiness, monitoring, recovery, and post-anesthetic care. Responsibilities are performed based on demonstrated competency, hospital policy, and applicable veterinary practice regulations.

Pay & Benefits for Veterinary Assistants

• $20/hr & up

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401(k)
• Paid Time Off 
• CE Allowance + Free VetBloom (RACE-approved CE) access
• Veterinary Technician scholarship opportunities
• VTNE and/or license reimbursement
• Uniform allowance
• Employee pet discount
• Disability & Life Insurance

• ​​​​​Monday - Friday 
• 9am - 5pm 

Anesthesia Equipment & Setup

• Set up, clean, inspect, and maintain anesthesia machines, monitoring gear, carts, and work areas between patients.
• Prepare circuits, bags, masks, warming devices, and positioning supplies.
• Maintain stock levels and promptly report damaged equipment, leaks, or supply needs.

• Provide safe, low-stress restraint for exams, catheterization, phlebotomy, medication delivery, and procedures.
• Obtain and document pre-anesthetic vitals and patient weight.
• Assist the veterinary team with IV catheter placement, surgical prep/clipping, positioning, transport, induction, and intubation.

• Place, troubleshoot, and record parameters from monitoring equipment (ECG, BP, SpO2, ETCO2, HR, RR, temp).
• Monitor stable anesthetized patients (following competency validation) under direct supervision.
• Immediately alert the veterinarian or LVT to abnormal trends or parameter changes.

• Prepare recovery areas, assist with transfer, and provide thermal support, padding, and positioning.
• Monitor stable recovering patients, tracking vital signs, pain score, mentation, and airway/extubation status.
• Deliver post-op nursing care as directed (medications, fluid therapy, IV catheter maintenance, walking).

• Maintain comprehensive, timely medical records and communicate patient status across departments.
• Adhere to hospital safety, infection control, and patient identification protocols.

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Veterinary clinical experience preferred.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced medical environment.
• Demonstrated reliability, professionalism, and attention to detail
• Patient-centered care focus.
• Strong clinical assistance skills.
• Clear and compassionate client communication.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Efficient time management and task prioritization.