Veterinary Assistant Jobs in Chicago, IL

A Veterinary Assistant plays an integral role in the veterinary industry by providing essential support to Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians. They are responsible for a wide range of tasks including maintaining medical records, cleaning and sanitizing animal cages, providing post-operative care, preparing samples for laboratory examinations, feeding and bathing animals, and assisting during patient examinations. Veterinarian Assistants often communicate with pet owners, so strong interpersonal and communication skills are paramount. Knowledge of animal behavior and medical terminology is also vital.

Before becoming a Veterinary Assistant, a person could have roles such as an Animal Caretaker, Pet Groomer, or Kennel Attendant. These roles provide valuable experience in handling and caring for animals. It's not mandatory, but advantageous to have a certificate or diploma in Veterinary Assistance. These programs usually cover anatomy, animal behavior, and veterinary office practices, and are typically completed in a year or less. A certification like the Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) designation is recognized by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), and can enhance employment prospects.

1-15 of 16 Jobs

Ambulatory Nursing Assistant - CVT Surgery Clinic - Silver Cross

  • Chicago, IL
  • 2 days ago
  • Chicago, IL
  • 2 days ago

Location: Joliet, Illinois Business Unit: Rush Medical Center Hospital: Rush University Medical Center Department: Cardiovasc-Thoracic Surg PBC - Silver Cross Work Type: Part Time (Total FTE...

Travel Cardiovascular Technologist (CVT) - 923499

  • Chicago, IL
  • 4 days ago
  • Chicago, IL
  • 4 days ago

Cardiovascular Technologist (CVT) Location: CHICAGO, IL Start Date: 08/04/2025 Shift: 4x10 Days Setting: Hospital Apply online or contact us ASAP for more information on this great opportunity!...

Veterinary Assistant - 001375

  • Countryside, IL (13 miles from Chicago, IL)
  • 8 days ago
  • Countryside, IL (13 miles from Chicago, IL)
  • 8 days ago

Veterinary Assistant Careers at Banfield Pet Hospital For those who want to put their love of pets into action, there are few jobs more rewarding than that of Vet Assistant....

Veterinary Assistant

  • Chicago, IL
  • 9 days ago
  • Chicago, IL
  • 9 days ago

Family Pet Animal Hospital-Veterinary Assistant Chicago, IL Full-time The ideal candidate: Has excellent verbal and written communication skills Has the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment...

Veterinary Assistant

  • Westmont, IL (17 miles from Chicago, IL)
  • 9 days ago
  • Westmont, IL (17 miles from Chicago, IL)
  • 9 days ago

Join VCA West Suburban Veterinary Hospital as a Veterinary Assistant and become part of a passionate team! Schedule: Full-time opportunity, (33 - 36 hours) with rotating Saturdays....

Pet Care Assistant (Chicago Brickyard)

  • Chicago, IL
  • 10 days ago
  • Chicago, IL
  • 10 days ago

If you are a current associate, you will need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs. The Pet Care Assistant...

Veterinary Assistant

  • Chicago, IL
  • 10 days ago
  • Chicago, IL
  • 10 days ago

Banfield Pet Hospital in Brickyard, Chicago needs Veterinary Assistants!...

Emergency Veterinary Assistant (Part-Time) - Oak Brook, IL

  • Oakbrook Terrace, IL (16 miles from Chicago, IL)
  • 15 days ago
  • Oakbrook Terrace, IL (16 miles from Chicago, IL)
  • 15 days ago

Veterinary Assistants can additionally (where permitted by law): Administer, monitor, and maintain patients under general anesthesia with or without mechanical ventilation for patients with varied levels...

Veterinary Assistant

  • Mount Prospect, IL (17 miles from Chicago, IL)
  • 22 days ago
  • Mount Prospect, IL (17 miles from Chicago, IL)
  • 22 days ago

Overview Companion Animal Hospital of Mount Prospect is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to join our team!...

Medical Oncology Veterinary Assistant

  • Chicago, IL
  • 30+ days ago
  • Chicago, IL
  • 30+ days ago

W e are looking for: Medical Oncology Veterinary Assistant This position has an initial hiring range of $23.00 - $27.00/hour based on experience....

Pet Care Assistant

  • Skokie, IL (9 miles from Chicago, IL)
  • 45+ days ago
  • Skokie, IL (9 miles from Chicago, IL)
  • 45+ days ago

If you are a current associate, you will need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs. S UMMARY OF J OB P URPOSE...

Manager of Operations (Nursing)-CVT Stepdown

  • Chicago, IL
  • 45+ days ago
  • Chicago, IL
  • 45+ days ago

Description The Manager, Operations reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organizations Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant...

Veterinary Assistant

  • Chicago, IL
  • 60+ days ago
  • Chicago, IL
  • 60+ days ago

Knowledge: Must have a MINIMUM of 1 year experience as a Veterinary Assistant-this includes surgery and anesthesia monitoring; CVT status is a BONUS The ability to maintain a positive work environment...

Veterinary Assistant - Glenview

  • Chicago, IL
  • 60+ days ago
  • Chicago, IL
  • 60+ days ago

The Opportunity: Our Veterinary Assistants partner with our Veterinarians and Vet Techs to deliver exceptional care to our pets and pet parents....

Veterinary Assistant_ Chicago South Loop 5275

  • Chicago, IL
  • 60+ days ago
  • Chicago, IL
  • 60+ days ago

Veterinary Assistant Careers at Banfield Pet Hospital For those who want to put their love of pets into action, there are few jobs more rewarding than that of Vet Assistant....

Demographic Data for Chicago, IL

Moving to Chicago, IL? Find some basic demographic data about Chicago, IL below.


Local
National
2,729,418
63,356
Large

Veterinary Assistant Online Courses and Training Opportunities

iHireVeterinary curates thousands of courses in order to recommend the best ones to help further your career. If you register for a course using the links on our site, we may receive a small commission.
Antimicrobial Stewardship in Veterinary Practice
Vets and human health professionals both have a responsibility to address the challenge of antimicrobial stewardship. Veterinary nurses, surgeons and pharmacists need the skills to prescribe...
Veterinary Support Assistant Training
As an essential member of the veterinary team, a veterinary support assistant (VSA) helps veterinarians and other veterinary professionals with their daily duties. They handle administrative...
Virtual Work Experience and Exploring the Veterinary Profession
The COVID-19 pandemic means that many potential vet students cannot undertake animal handling work experience. On this course, youll get insight into the reality of life as a vet so that you can...

Salary for Veterinary Assistant Jobs in Chicago, IL

Estimated salary range based on data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireVeterinary research efforts.

Licensing / Certification

Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Veterinary Assistant positions.



Highest Education Level

Veterinary Assistants in Chicago, IL offer the following education background
Bachelor's Degree
30.5%
High School or GED
25.9%
Associate's Degree
19.6%
Vocational Degree or Certification
12.5%
Master's Degree
3.4%
Some College
3.4%
Doctorate Degree
2.8%
Some High School
1.9%

Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Veterinary Assistants in Chicago, IL
Less than 1 year
43.4%
None
35.2%
4-6 years
9.7%
2-4 years
8.8%
1-2 years
2.9%


Other Career Titles

Here are some other career titles that require similar skills



Veterinary Assistant Related Career Advice Articles

Veterinary technician examining cat
Guide to Veterinary Technician Societies

A brief guide to veterinary technician societies approved by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA).

Read article »
How to become a veterinarian
How to Become a Veterinarian

Thinking about becoming a veterinarian? This rewarding career requires a lot of hard work, learn what is required here.

Read article »
woman with cat using veterinary telehealth services
How to Break into Veterinary Telehealth

Considering exploring a career in veterinary telemedicine? Here's what you need to know.

Read article »