Veterinary Assistant
Location: Olney, Illinois
Clinic Type: Small Animal General Practice
Employment Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Veterinarian and CVT
Position Summary
Mackenzie’s Veterinary Services is seeking a compassionate and dependable Veterinary Assistant to join our small animal practice in Illinois. Mackenzie’s Veterinary Services is a new small animal clinic located in Olney, IL. Our clinic provides high-quality preventive, medical, and surgical care for dogs and cats in a collaborative team environment. The Veterinary Assistant supports veterinarians and Certified Veterinary Technicians (CVTs) in patient care, client communication, and hospital operations.
This position is ideal for individuals pursuing a veterinary career or those with prior animal care experience.
Scope of Role (Illinois Compliance)
Under Illinois law and regulations overseen by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR):
- Veterinary Assistants are not licensed or certified professionals.
- Assistants may perform delegated tasks under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
- Assistants may not present themselves as Certified Veterinary Technicians (CVTs).
- Anesthesia monitoring and certain technical procedures may be limited to credentialed staff depending on clinic policy and state guidelines.
Key Responsibilities
Patient Care & Handling
- Safely restrain dogs and cats for exams and procedures
- Obtain patient weight and temperature
- Assist with sample collection (fecal, urine)
- Prepare patients for examinations and treatments
- Monitor hospitalized patients and report concerns to medical staff
Clinical Support
- Assist veterinarians and CVTs during exams and procedures
- Prepare vaccines and medications as directed
- Set up and clean treatment areas
- Clean, sterilize, and maintain surgical instruments
- Assist with radiographs (positioning under supervision)
- Prepare animals for surgery (clip and scrub as directed)
Facility & Sanitation
- Clean and disinfect kennels, exam rooms, and treatment areas
- Maintain OSHA compliance and proper medical waste disposal
- Stock supplies and maintain inventory
- Ensure a safe and organized clinic environment
Client Service Support
- Greet clients and assist with patient check-in
- Provide basic discharge instructions as directed
- Support client education initiatives (parasite prevention, nutrition, etc.)
- Maintain accurate and complete medical records
Community Involvement
- Attend and participate in elementary, middle, or high school discussions or labs in the form of lunch discussion, with local organizations (FFA, ILFB, 4H), or by attending a meeting.
- Attend a “2-day summer camp” for young people over a weekend
- Be an MVS representative at community events including Richland County Fair Auction and FFA Customer Appreciation Lunch during FFA Week.
- Assist the veterinary technician with the photo booth section in the clinic
- Attend the open house and “soft launch” for MVS
Qualifications
Required:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Comfortable working with dogs and cats of all sizes
- Ability to lift 40+ pounds
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Preferred:
- 6+ months of veterinary, kennel, or animal care experience
- Interest in pursuing veterinary technology or veterinary medicine
- Familiarity with basic medical terminology
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive hourly wage based on experience
- Paid time off (for eligible employees)
- Employee pet care discount
- Uniform allowance
- On-the-job training and career growth opportunities
- Annual Bonus Program
Work Environment
We are a supportive small animal practice seeing approximately 50 patients per week. Our team values compassion, efficiency, professionalism, and continued learning.
Pay: From $16.82 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
