About this role
Veterinary Assistant – Emergency & Critical Care
Be part of our fast-paced Emergency & Critical Care team! You’ll support patient care by organizing and stocking treatment areas, assisting with restraint, walking patients, running lab work, and assisting nurses with treatments under direct supervision. We offer a $1,000 sign-on bonus, generous shift differentials (up to 30% extra), and the chance to work in a world-class Level One Trauma Facility alongside veterinary specialists, students, and a supportive team.
Job Description
A Day (or Night!) in the Life at Ryan Hospital It’s 6:45 PM, and you’re heading into Ryan Hospital, ready for another shift with our Emergency & Critical Care team. The night is quiet—or now you know that in a Level One Trauma Facility, that can change in an instant.
First stop: room checks. You make sure each area is organized, clean, and fully stocked so the team can work efficiently. Heparinized saline syringes? Ready for 24 hours. IV catheter kits? Prepped. Oxygen setups? Standing by.
The nurse on duty gives you your first priorities: help walk a stable patient, run a blood sample, and get the recovery area ready for a post-op bite wound patient.
A call comes in: an emergency patient is en route. The team springs into action. You set up for IV catheter placement, gather fluids, and ensure the crash cart is ready. During the arrest situation, you stay calm, stand back, and await direction—ready to assist with anything from handing over supplies to updating patient charts.
Between emergencies, you help with hands-on patient care under direct supervision:
- Performing TPRs and BP checks
- Setting up O2 and fluids
- Assisting with recoveries from anesthesia
- Monitoring blood transfusions
- Walking stable patients in designated areas
You also handle supportive duties that keep the hospital running smoothly—pharmacy and lab runs, restocking, and organizing the dog and cat treatment rooms.
The night moves quickly. You’ve helped stabilize patients, assisted in recoveries, and made sure every patient was comfortable and cared for. As you hand off to the morning crew, you’ve left knowing your work made a difference for your coworkers and patients.
You’ll Need to Succeed
Veterinary Nurse Assistant A
- High school diploma + 1 year experience in a veterinary setting
- Strong patient restraint skills (including difficult-to-handle animals)
- Proven ability to multitask and follow directions
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Veterinary Nurse Assistant B
- Same as above, plus 2 years experience
Your Schedule & Perks
Hours: Friday- Sunday, 7 PM- 7 AM Shift Differential Pay: 15% extra for hours worked between 8 PM and 7 AM (weeknights) 30% extra for Friday through Sunday overnight hours 20% extra for Sat/Sun daytime hours (inpatient areas) Sign-On Incentive: $1,000 (ask for details)
Why Ryan Hospital?
At Penn Vet’s Ryan Hospital, veterinary assistants are valued members of a compassionate, highly skilled team. You’ll work in a fast-paced, teaching hospital environment alongside board-certified specialists, nurses, and veterinary students—earning every day while making a real difference for patients and clients. This is more than a job — chance to grow, contribute, and be part of a team where every role matters.
Job Location - City, State Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Department / School School of Veterinary Medicine Pay Range $15.90 - $19.00 Hourly Rate Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered. Equal Opportunity Statement The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law. Special Requirements Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job. University Benefits Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions. Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard. Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—anything else you’d like to add here. Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting. Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance. Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally. University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free. Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you’ll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do