Job Description

Veterinary Assistant - Emergency
Summit Veterinary Referral Center

Hourly pay range: $20.00–$28.00 + Shift Differentials

Opportunity in Tacoma / South Puget Sound, WA

Schedule: Day Shift. 10-hour shifts 4 times per week or 12-hour shifts 3 times per week. On-call shift rotation required once trained.

We are currently seeking Veterinary Assistants to join our Emergency team. As a Veterinary Assistant, you will be responsible for providing high-quality medical care to both pets and their owners while working with your team. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills, be adaptable, have a positive attitude, and a passion for animal care.

Why Join Summit Veterinary Referral Center

At Summit Veterinary Referral Center, part of Ethos Veterinary Health, you'll be part of the largest Emergency and Specialty Center in the South Puget Sound. With specialists in Anesthesia, Cardiology, Emergency/Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Nutrition, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Surgery and Radiology, we work as a team to provide the most comprehensive patient and client care in our region, with daily grand rounds and 7 surgical suites, CT/MRI, endoscopy, and more. Our culture is all about collaboration and a thriving passion for best medicine, with a robust CE budget, VTS support, and multiple structures in place to help reduce burnout.

In your day-to-day, you will:

• Assist veterinarians in diagnosis and treatment of critically ill and injured animals
• Monitor the vital signs of patients and report any abnormalities to veterinarians
• Administer PO medications, fluids, treatments, and procedures as directed by veterinarians
• Perform in-house lab work
• Assist with advanced imaging (X-ray/Echocardiogram/Fluoroscopy/Ultrasound)
• Obtain and record patient histories, and maintain accurate medical records
• Prepare prescriptions and communicate discharge orders
• Work closely with veterinarians, technicians, and support teams
• Contribute to a positive, team-focused hospital culture

What You Bring

• Knowledge of veterinary medical terminology, anatomy, and pharmacology
• Prior veterinary experience required (minimum 2 years); experience working in ER/ICU or Specialty preferred, but will train the right person
• Current WA state medclerk license preferred, but not required
• Ability to work quickly and accurately in an often chaotic and stressful environment
• A collaborative mindset and commitment to exceptional patient care; team player, detail-oriented, reliable, dependable, and trustworthy

Perks & Benefits
Benefits for this role may include health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement benefits, paid time off (including sick leave and vacation), short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance

• Competitive compensation, including shift differentials ($3/hr Mon–Thurs, $5/hr Fri–Sun for hours worked within 6p–6a)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• CE allowance and professional development support
• Paid time off
• Retirement savings options (401k with employer match)
• Comprehensive benefits package

Location Highlight
Tacoma sits at the gateway to the South Puget Sound, offering easy access to Mount Rainier, Puget Sound waterways, and a revitalized downtown with a growing food and arts scene. With Seattle just 30–40 minutes north, you get small-city affordability and character alongside big-city amenities.

About Ethos Veterinary Health

Ethos Veterinary Health, part of the NVA Group, is where you come to practice world-class medicine, and help shape what veterinary care becomes next.

Across our network of 140 specialty and emergency hospitals, science moves forward, standards are elevated, and innovation is put into practice every day. You'll work alongside respected veterinary leaders in academic-caliber hospitals designed for learning, teaching, and discovery.

Here, mentorship is a two-way street. You'll share your expertise, learn from others, and continue to grow, clinically, professionally, and personally.

At Ethos, you inspire hope, deliver exceptional care, and pursue veterinary medicine at its highest level, together.

Join Us

At Ethos, this isn't just a job, it's an opportunity to practice medicine at the highest level and help shape the future of veterinary care.

Candidates can confidentially submit their CV to Talent Acquisition Partner Kira Wolff at kira.wolff@ethosvet.com

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ethos is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Ethos does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, competence, merit, and business need.

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