Veterinary Assistant | Chester, VA

A nervous terrier comes in for his vaccines. Before anyone reaches for him, the room is already set: calming pheromones on, soft music playing, a warm towel on the table, and high-value treats in your pocket. You read his body language, let him set the pace, and he leaves with his tail wagging. At Chester Animal Clinic, that’s the goal for every patient, because every visit should be a happy visit. We’re hiring a full-time Veterinary Assistant to join our team.

About the Practice
We’ve cared for the pets of Chesterfield County since 1968. We’re a full-service small animal hospital with many diagnostic tests on-site, and we partner with local specialists for advanced cases. Fear Free shapes everything about how we practice. Our goal is to take the fear, anxiety, and stress out of veterinary visits, with calming pheromones, calming music, warm towels, catnip, high-reward treats, and gentle handling from a team that knows how to read pet body language. Comprehensive care in a calm environment is our standard. West Chester Pet Resort is right next door, so you may see a few boarding and daycare guests, too.

What You’ll Help Make Possible

• Smooth exams and procedures, thanks to careful restraint and patient prep
• Accurate on-site lab work that gets clients answers faster
• Resort guests who get prompt medical attention whenever they need it
• Clean, well-stocked exam and treatment rooms that keep the day on schedule
• Clients who leave understanding their pet’s care and next steps

What We’re Looking For

Required:

• 1-2 years of experience in a veterinary setting
• Availability for 9-hour day shifts, Monday through Friday

Preferred:

• Experience with patient restraint, sample collection, lab testing, or surgery and dental prep
• Organized, dependable, and detail-oriented
• Clear, kind communication with clients and teammates
• Comfortable with dogs, cats, and other companion animals

Schedule

• Full-time, Day shift
• 9-hour shifts
• No weekends
• No holiday shifts required

Compensation
Compensation for this role ranges from $17.00 to $18.00 per hour, based on experience and role alignment.

Benefits

• Competitive pay, based on experience
• Free virtual mental health for your household (ages 13+)
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Generous CE allowance plus paid CE time
• Uniform allowance
• Pet care discounts for your personal pets
• PTO, floating holidays, parental leave, and military leave
• A robust Employee Assistance Program (from finances to wellness and everything in between)
• Access to Encore Vet Group’s library of training, CE, and career development resources
• A 401(k) with up to 5% company match

If you want a weekday schedule, a team that’s been part of this community for more than 55 years, and enough variety to keep every day interesting, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today.

Check us out: www.chesteranimalclinic.com