Veterinary Assistant - Emergency & Critical Care

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Veterinary Assistant – Emergency & Critical Care

Job Profile Title

Veterinary Nurse Assistant A

Job Description Summary

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—for now—but 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 leave knowing your work made a difference for your coworkers and patients.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

Veterinary Nurse Assistant A

• High school diploma + 1–2 years’ 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 2–3 years’ experience

Your Schedule & Perks

• Hours: Friday- Sunday, 7 PM- 7 AM

• Shift Differential Pay:

  • 15% extra for hours worked between 8 PM–8 AM (weeknights)

  • 30% extra for Friday–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—learning every day while making a real difference for patients and clients. This is more than a job—it’s a chance to grow, contribute, and be part of a team where every role matters.

Ready to join us? Apply today or contact Amy Shields, Talent Acquisition Specialist, at [email protected] with your questions.

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 protectedunder 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—whatever your personal needs may be.

• 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 Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours:Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay