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Animal Care Veterinary Assistant

Palm Beach County • Full-time • West Palm Beach, Florida, United States • USD $21 / hour • 3m ago

ISSUED: 12/08/2025

CLOSES: 12/22/2025

Position:

ANIMAL CARE VETERINARY ASSISTANT

Salary:

$21.73 Per Hour

Department:

Public Safety

Division:

Public Safety/Animal Care and Control

Hours:

40 Variable hours/week, including evenings, weekends, and holidays; will be required to work on-call and during emergencies.

Other:

Must be able to lift 75 pounds. Valid Florida Driver’s License and PBC Risk Management Department driving history approval prior to appointment. Will be required to complete a "Willingness to Work" Acknowledgment

with application.

Will be required to work at the Pahokee facility/other off-site events.

Use the Job ID based on the Position Location as follows

Location

Job ID

7100 Belvedere Road, WPB

32284

Must be able to collaborate as part of a dynamic veterinary team, upholding the highest standards of medical care, professionalism, and interpersonal communication. Responsible for reliable, high-quality work with exceptional standards of animal care and compassion illustrated through work performance. Maintains a strong work ethic, punctual attendance, and professionalism in all responsibilities. Committed to maintaining proper sanitation practices, with a strong emphasis on disease prevention, animal comfort, and overall well-being.

Works with a variety of animal species and temperaments, including but not limited to companion animals, livestock, horses, exotic and small mammals. Performs precursory assessment of newly impounded animals, which includes blood draw, the application of preventatives, administering vaccines, and performing any necessary grooming. Handles complex paperwork and precise data entry of medical records into a computerized system using shelter-specific software. Performs routine medical procedures and treatments (e.g., administering oral/injectable/topical medications, calculating medication dosages appropriately, performing blood draws, IV catheter placement and fluid therapy, bandaging, radiology, laboratory testing, and diagnostic testing). Provides triage and emergency care treatment to sick and injured animals and administers follow-up treatment as advised by a Veterinarian. Prepares surgery room for high-volume, high-quality surgeries; performs all pre- and post-operative procedures for spay/neuter surgery, including but not limited to precursory assessment, induction of anesthesia, placement of endotracheal tube, insertion of microchip, administration of vaccinations and other medications, bladder expression, preparation of surgical site using aseptic practices, monitoring anesthesia continuously for proper responses to intraoperative emergencies and to efficiently perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) efforts during emergencies; assists the Veterinarian during and throughout surgical procedures. Monitors patients during post-operative recovery to ensure safe and smooth recovery from anesthesia. Provides specialized care for neonate kittens, including feeding, warming, and monitoring. Performs humane and compassionate euthanasia for various animal species. Prepares specimens for rabies testing (includes decapitation). Supports the attending Veterinarian by safely restraining and assisting with bleeding horses for Coggins testing; prepares blood samples for Coggins testing using a centrifuge

Attends various training courses to enhance skills and professional development. Provides ongoing supportive mentoring, training, and explanations for newly hired staff and colleagues. Provides professional and compassionate customer service and public education to support community relations and animal welfare goals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from high school or an equivalent recognized certification; minimum of one (1) year of medical experience working with animals in a veterinary office, animal shelter medical clinic, or similar animal medical care facility.

Necessary Special Requirements:

1. Must successfully complete pre-exposure rabies treatment and vaccination.

2. Must obtain and maintain Florida Animal Protection and Advocacy Association (FAPAA) Euthanasia Technician Certification within six (6) months of hire.

3. Must successfully complete Fear Free Shelter Training within six (6) months of hire.

4. Must successfully complete RECOVER Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) Training within one (1) year of hire.

PREFERENCE FOR EXPERIENCE:Assisting a Veterinarian with examinations, treatments, and surgical procedures (e.g., drawing blood, administering injectable medications, anesthesia induction, tracheal intubation, etc.) (must specify on application); performing/assisting with humane euthanasia; performing veterinary lab testing/diagnostic testing procedures and using related equipment (must specify on application). Also desirable: Veterinary Technician Certification issued by the State of Florida; related Associate’s degree; two (2) years of medical experience working with animals as a Veterinary Assistant or Veterinary Technician in a veterinary office, animal shelter medical clinic, or similar animal medical care facility.

All employees of Palm Beach County may be required to work before, during and/or after a natural or man-made disaster or hurricane.

In accordance with Affirmative Action requirements of Sec. 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the County provides reasonable accommodation. If you need a reasonable accommodation for interviewing or initial employment, please notify the Palm Beach County BCC Human Resources Department. EO/AA Employer M/F/D/V; (Drug Free Work Place).