Overview
VETERINARY ASSISTANT – Animal Emergency Clinic Jobs in Bloomington, IL at Highland Pet Hospital
Veterinary Assistant (Full-Time or Part-Time)
Animal Emergency Clinic of McLean County – Bloomington, IL
Hourly Pay: $15.50 – $19.00
Shifts: Evenings, Overnights, Weekends, and Holidays
The Role
This isn’t a sit-back-and-scan-ID-tags kind of gig. It’s high-speed, full-contact (emotionally and physically), and absolutely essential to what we do. As a Veterinary Assistant (VA) at the Animal Emergency Clinic (AEC), you’ll be in the thick of it, helping stabilize patients, assisting techs and DVMs, and being the calm in someone’s worst night.
If you’ve got experience, awesome. If not, and you’re hungry to learn and built for this pace, we’ll train you. We don’t hand out stethoscopes on day one—but if you show up, show heart, and do the work, we’ll get you where you want to go.
Growth Paths: Because We Build Careers Here
Pre-CVT Program: Going to school to be a tech? We’ll mentor you, help you hit your requirements, and make sure you’re not just checking boxes, but actually learning the good stuff.
Master VA Program: Not planning on becoming a CVT but still want to grow? Our Master VA track gives you structure, added responsibilities, and real career momentum.
Who Thrives Here
Accepts feedback without taking it personally. We’re all learning every day, and your ability to be coached is your superpower.
Show up. Really. Lives depend on it. So does your training. Missing shifts sets the whole team back, and we feel it.
Stay cool under pressure. Or at least try to. (Fake it ‘til you make it works too.)
Refuse to bring drama to work. We keep it safe here—for pets and for people. Being unkind, unsafe, or toxic is a fast ticket out.
Are experienced and want to dig in deeper. Or brand new but ready to work your way up.
Can lift 40+ lbs and hustle through a 10-hour shift like it’s nothing.
What You’ll Actually Do
Client & Exam Room Support (This is where everyone starts)
No matter how far you want to go here, this is the foundation. If you can’t connect with a client, communicate with your doctor, and get a good patient history, you’re not ready for more. This is the launchpad.
Greet and guide clients (especially when they’re stressed or scared)
Get patient vitals and histories
Enter SOAPs, assist with samples, prep follow-up care
Set the tone for care with your presence and professionalism
Treatment & Inpatient Care
Walk, feed, medicate, and monitor hospitalized pets
Assist with restraint and basic procedures
Help DVMs and CVTs with treatments
Record and report patient changes
Lab, Pharmacy, & Radiology
Collect basic lab samples (ear, urine, fecal)
Run tests, fill meds, and assist with radiographs
Prep refills and help keep the shelves stocked and safe
Surgical Support (If Assigned)
Prep patients, packs, and equipment
Assist with anesthesia monitoring and recovery
Support surgical team throughout the procedure
Housekeeping & Cleanliness
Clean rooms, kennels, floors, and dishes
Keep public and staff areas stocked and safe
Everyone pitches in. No exceptions.
Pay & Perks
Hourly pay: $15.50 – $19.00 depending on experience
Schedule: Nights, weekends, holidays, and some on-call
Uniform allowance, real mentorship, no corporate nonsense
Pre-CVT and Master VA tracks
A team that will back you up and coach you up.
Ready to Apply?
Shoot your shot. We’re excited to meet the next person who wants to build a career here.
Quick questions we’ll ask:
Can you work evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call?
Are you in (or planning to start) a CVT program? Not a deal breaker but we’re interested!
Can you pass a background check?
Do you have reliable transportation?
Did someone refer you?
We’re not here to sugarcoat it: this job is hard, the pace is fast, and the stakes are high. But if you’re the right kind of person, and you know if you are, it might just be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
Title: VETERINARY ASSISTANT – Animal Emergency Clinic
Company: Highland Pet Hospital
Location: Bloomington, IL
