The Veterinary Assistant is responsible for providing daily patient care, including animal handling, medical treatments, and surgical support. They also manage client interactions, maintain hospital cleanliness, and ensure accurate documentation of patient health records.
Requirements overview
Candidates must possess demonstrable animal care skills and the ability to obtain a Washington State Medical Clerk License. Strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented, fast-paced hospital environment are required.
Cara veterinary is a Pacific Northwest network of veterinary practices built around a simple belief: Cara is care — reimagined. We’re here to deliver exceptional medicine for pets and create meaningful, supportive careers for the people who care for them.
Homegrown in the PNW, and shaped by the communities we grew up in, we are a connected group of hospitals. We bring the strength of shared resources while keeping the heart of a neighborhood veterinarian. Every practice is empowered to stay deeply local, building trust with clients, strengthening community connections, and delivering care that feels personal.
Cara is compassion. Cara is expertise. Cara is partnership. Cara is community. Cara is growth. These values guide how we show up for pet parents and how we invest in our teams. We reinvest our success into the people, pets, and places we serve, ensuring that care is always human‑centered and grounded in doing what’s right.
With a long‑term commitment to the Pacific Northwest, we provide individualized support to each hospital, from mentorship and professional development to operational resources and leadership guidance. Success at Cara is measured through team wellbeing, exceptional patient outcomes, and the trust we earn every day.
Our partner practices also benefit from decades of experience building organizations at national and international scale, along with close relationships with respected healthcare institutions. At Cara, we strive to be a different kind of partner, one that helps veterinary professionals thrive and gives clients a better, more compassionate veterinary experience.
HealthcareCustomer Service & SupportAdministrative
Description
Description
Veterinary Assistant: We can help you have a job you love and the life you want.
Redmond Veterinary is a brand-new hospital opening in late Fall 2026 in downtown Redmond, WA, and part of the Cara Veterinary network of neighborhood veterinary practices. As one of the first Team Members at our newest hospital, you’ll have the unique opportunity to help shape the culture, standards, and patient experience from day one.
As part of Cara Veterinary, you’ll also have the support and resources of an established veterinary network behind you.
In real world talk, that means you’ll get the training and support you need to do your job well. Plenty of opportunities to learn, grow, and advance. Acknowledgement and rewards for those who go the extra mile for our clients and their pets.
Here’s how:
Great compensation & benefits
Flexible schedules
A verifiable commitment to putting pets and our people first
Clear expectations and a path to advancement
The opportunity to help build and shape a brand-new hospital
Our Location:
Redmond Veterinary is an exciting new hospital opening in late Fall 2026, located in the heart of downtown Redmond.
Vibrant, walkable downtown setting
Local shops and restaurants nearby
Easy access to Sound Transit light rail
Convenient commute from Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, and surrounding Eastside communities
Minutes from Redmond Town Center, the Sammamish River Trail, and Downtown Park
Unique opportunity to join an opening team and help shape the hospital’s culture and care standards from the very start
If you want to help build a hospital from the ground up and leave your mark on its culture, Redmond Veterinary could be the perfect fit.
Our Offer:
Competitive salary ranging from $22-$26
Medical, vision, & dental insurance premium with 4 options for all full-time employees
Employee Assistance Program
Paid Time Off (PTO), up to 80 hours + 10 hours for Personal Celebration Day
Up to six paid floating holidays per calendar year
401k + employer match
Team Member pet care discount for up to four personal pets
Uniform allowance
Professional Development (CE) reimbursement, up to $500 each year
Veterinary Medical Clerk License application and renewal covered
Regular reviews and feedback
What We’re Looking For:
We want to provide clients and their pets with the kind of exceptional care and service they cannot get anywhere else—so it’s important that you’re as good with people as you are with pets. This means you should be someone who:
enjoys educating and connecting with people
communicates effectively
advocates for patients
is reliable and trustworthy
has some demonstrable animal care skills
shows adaptability and resilience
is excited about helping build and shape a new hospital team
Is That You?
Then please apply with a fully updated resume as well as a cover letter expressing why you think you’d be a good fit for us!
Cara Veterinary is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all Team Members.
Requirements
Summary of Job Purpose and Functions: As Veterinary Assistant your role is essential to maintaining the health and well-being of our animal patients and upholding the highest standards of care at Cara Veterinary. You will be responsible for the day-to-day patient care, ensuring a clean and safe environment, and assisting with various medical and client-related tasks. ] Your work is guided by the principles and values outlined in Cara Veterinary's pillars and core competencies, ensuring that our patients always come first.
Essential Responsibilities and Tasks: Veterinary Assistant
Cleaning, disinfection, manage and care for: cat room, kennel room, inside runs and outside area
Cage card interpretation (diagnosis, food/water intake, stool/urine samples needed, medications, etc.)
Laundry (including disinfection of regular and the Isolation Ward linens)
Husbandry and Husbandry Standards (feeding, water, walking and litter pans- frequency)
Obtain body weights, temperature, heart rates and respiratory rates and DOCUMENT
Safe and effective animal restraint and muzzle application for canines and felines.
Disposal of waste and sharps
Proper care and use of clippers and blades
Isolation Protocol
Care and handling of neonates
Perform ear flushes (Direct DVM/LVT Supervision)
Nail trims
Fecal Set Up and Preparation to outgoing lab (Direct DVM/LVT Supervision)
Perform all SNAP tests (Direct DVM/LVT Supervision)
Telephone etiquette including appointment scheduling
Add new Client & Patient and schedule an appointment
Check –in & Checkout a patient with receiving (Practice Management Software)
Open, complete and get signatures for Admit Form (s)
CareCredit application and setup
Ability to obtain and maintain a Washington State Medical Clerk License
Admit & discharge patients
Biological injections (vaccines) (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Biological vaccines for rabies (Direct DVM Supervision)
Intramuscular and subcutaneous injections (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Intravenous injections into catheterized veins (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Anal gland expression
Lab sample collection and test preparation (direct DVM supervision)
Venipuncture (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Skin Scrapping (exfoliative) (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Imaging procedures: produce radiographs and transfer images (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Removal of sutures, drains and staples (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Use and maintenance of ultrasonic cleaner and instrument milk
Bandage applications (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Removal of exposed foreign bodies (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Knowledge and understanding of the Cara Surgical Sterility Protocol
Knowledge of surgical instruments- their use and names
Maintenance and use of autoclave/gas sterilizer (including proper instrument selection)
Assembly of surgical packs and autoclave
Proper procedure for opening sterile instruments, suture material, and scalpel blades
Patient preparation of surgery (clipping, positioning, surgical scrub, urinary bladder expression)
Client Engagement: Embrace your role in enhancing the client experience by fostering meaningful connections with clients. Listen empathetically, answer questions, and provide support and guidance.
Challenging Client Situations: Develop the skill to defuse difficult client interactions gracefully. Your ability to remain patient, empathetic, and professional in challenging situations is key.
Microchip implantation (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Perform enema (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Massage, except when otherwise regulated (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Dispense non-controlled pharmaceuticals (Requires Veterinary Medical Clerk License)
Removal of exposed foreign bodies (i.e., Ticks or PPQ’s) (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Perform ECG & blood pressure readings (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Set up for all surgery types
Change oxygen tank
Know how to care for an intravenous catheter
Knowledge of IDEXX equipment and how to run samples
Knowledge of IDEXX maintenance procedures and frequency of care as well as documentation
Know locations of drugs for emergency use
Client Engagement: Cultivate a welcoming, empathetic, and memorable client experience. Embrace a hospitality mindset to elevate service.
Client education (admit, discharge & present estimates)
Ability to be assigned to a doctor and assist them in handling their cases.
How to prepare an estimate for a client
Know how to invoice a client
Ultrasound set up including client/patient information input
Bandage application (Direct DVM/LVT Supervision)
Know proper technique to scrubbing, gowning, and gloving
Monitor anesthetized patients’ vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration) (IMMEDIATE DVM/LVT Supervision)
Set up and Maintenance of Suction Equipment
IV Catheterization - peripheral (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Know the names of dental instruments and care/maintenance of dental equipment
Routine Dental Prophy (direct DVM/LVT supervision)
Perform non-invasive CPR and basic first aid
Client Education: Provide comprehensive client education during admissions, discharges, and while presenting treatment estimates. Serve as a resource for clients, offering detailed information and guidance on their pets' health and treatment options.
Anticipate Veterinarian's Needs: Proactively anticipate the needs of the veterinarian during appointments, procedures, and surgeries. Prepare necessary equipment, supplies, and treatment plans to streamline the care process.
Patient Flow Director: Efficiently manage patient flow, ensuring timely appointments and procedures, which contributes to a seamless and positive client experience.
Client Partnership: Act as a partner with clients in their pets' healthcare journey, fostering a relationship-based approach to veterinary care.
Experiential Client Interactions: Create experiential, not transactional, client interactions by actively engaging with clients, answering their questions, addressing concerns, and making them feel heard and valued.
May assist in training of other team members as directed by hospital leaders