Job Description

Now Hiring: Rockstar Veterinary Assistants!

Location: Colony Animal Hospital - Newport News, VA.

Are you passionate about pets and love working with people? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where every day brings something new (and maybe a few puppy kisses)? Come join the fun, hard-working crew at Colony Animal Hospital !

We’re on the hunt for experienced Veterinary Assistants who know their stuff and love what they do. You’ll work alongside our amazing LVT and veterinarian during appointments and surgeries - learning, growing, and helping pets feel their very best.

Why Colony?

• We’ve been AAHA-accredited for over 50 years - we don’t just meet standards; we set them.
• We’ve served our community with compassionate, skilled care for 60+ years .
• Our doctors believe in using your full skill set and helping you grow.
• Our team is smart, efficient, and fun - seriously, we actually like working together.
• Oh, and we’re just minutes from the beach!

Bonus points if you speak Spanish! ¡Algunos de nuestros clientes hablan español y nos encantaría tenerte en nuestro equipo!

What We’re Looking For:

• Experience counts! You’ve got at least 1-2 years working in a veterinary hospital OR you’re currently enrolled in a CVA or LVT program and ready to put your skills to work.
• People skills matter. Pets can’t tell us what’s wrong - so you’ll need to communicate clearly with clients and teammates to be their voice.
• Empathy is key. You’ll be gathering medical histories from pet parents, some of whom may be worried or emotional. You should be calm, compassionate, and a great listener.
• Tech savvy-ish. We use Cornerstone and electronic medical records , so being comfortable with Windows-based systems is a must.
• You think on your feet. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and good judgment are part of the daily routine.
• You’re reliable. Being on time and ready to jump in is essential to keeping our day running smoothly.

A Few More Things to Know:

• We’re not offering boarding right now , but we may reopen that service once we add another doctor - and when we do, you could be part of it!
• This position does include some weekends and holidays , especially when caring for boarding pets. We take pride in providing top-notch care every single day of the year.
• All team members help with daily husbandry duties - that means feeding, bathing, keeping accurate records, and ensuring every cage, run, ward, and exam room is squeaky clean and comfortable for our patients. (We don’t mind getting our hands dirty for the sake of clean pets!)

What You'll Be Doing (a.k.a. Your Superpowers):

• Provide compassionate, gentle care to every patient, every time - whether they’re here for a nail trim or major surgery.
• Stay cool under pressure. You know how to stay confident, focused, and professional — even on the busiest days.
• Be vaccine-savvy. You’re familiar with AAHA vaccine protocols and ready to put them into practice.
• Check patients in for exams - gathering histories, taking vitals, and making sure the doctor has everything they need to get started.
• Assist during outpatient exams. You’ll help restrain pets, take notes, prep medications, and support the doctor from start to finish.
• Check-in + Check-out pros. You’ll help admit patients, ensure proper ID and cage assignment, and release them looking clean, cozy, and well-loved.
• Be the friendly face. You can talk to owners, explain procedures, and help them feel good about leaving their pet in our care.
• Keep it clean. From litter boxes to kennels to the breakroom fridge (kidding... sort of), cleanliness matters - and you help us maintain a hospital we’re proud of.
• Feed and observe. You'll feed patients according to doctor or owner instructions, monitor their appetites, and document everything.
• Stay on schedule. You can prioritize tasks, stay productive, and jump in wherever needed.
• Tackle the laundry. Yep, it’s part of the job - and you know fresh towels make everything better.
• Handle with care. You’re skilled in general restraint and low-stress handling techniques , keeping pets calm and safe.
• Collect samples like urine and fecal specimens and know when something seems “off” with a patient.
• Support the team. Help administer medications and assist with patient restraint as needed.
• Clean smart. You know how to safely use hospital-grade cleaners and keep our equipment and environment spotless.
• Follow chore schedules (weekly and monthly) to keep the hospital in tip-top shape.
• Be a team player. You maintain positive, cooperative relationships with your coworkers and support each other like family.
• Jump in where needed. Other duties may be assigned, and you’re always willing to lend a paw!

Colony Animal Hospital has been providing high quality, compassionate care for pets in Newport News and surrounding areas for more than 60 years. We continue to grow and change with developments in veterinary care while never wavering from our dedication to preserving the bond between our clients and their pets. We treat each patient as if it were our own as we continue our work to prevent suffering through education, preventive care and the evaluation of all treatment options.

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