Operating Room Veterinary Assistant (ORVA)

animalmedicalcenter

510 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065 · 510 East 62nd Street · NY 10065

Posted Apr 10, 2026

Full-time
Veterinary Assistant

Job description

Veterinary assistants play a vital role at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. They work alongside our veterinarians and veterinary technicians to provide comfort and care for all our patients. Our veterinary assistants help during patient exams, blood sampling, catheter placement, and assist in running point of care laboratory tests. Our veterinary assistants also take radiographs, assist in ultrasound, and even help prepare surgical instruments and operating room set up. Veterinary assistants can take advantage of our career ladder to learn and grow into advanced positions like surgical instrument assistants and patient care assistants. We also offer tuition assistance to employees wanting to continue their educational goals and the ability to earn externship hours for accredited veterinary technology programs.

The OR Assistant is responsible for providing pre-, intra- and post- operative preparation, care, maintenance, and turnover of the Surgery ORs.

Minimum Qualifications

Strong knowledge of surgical instruments and equipment
Excellent communication skills
Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, multi-tasking while paying close attention to details
Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment, demonstrating a high level of initiative
High proficiency in patient handling
Knowledge of surgical procedures
Flexibility and the ability to accommodate shift
Ability to communicate professionally and effectively

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent, college degree preferred

Experience:

One to two years’ experience as a Surgical Instrument Veterinary Assistant

Duties and responsibilities

Pre-operative

Review cases scheduled in assigned OR
Ensure OR is cleaned and ready for cases
Ensure all instruments needed for the case are in the OR
Review the surgeon’s case preferences
Ensure all equipment is functional & OR supplies are stocked
Perform pre-op radiographs as needed
Properly drape patient for procedure

Intra-operative

Assist surgeons as needed
Retrieve instruments and supplies
Troubleshoot equipment
Assist in handling C-Arm to and from OR for intra-op use
Run insufflation for laparoscopic procedures
Manage flush for arthroscopy/cystoscopy
Mange and troubleshoot integration systems

Post-Operative

Perform post-op radiographs as needed and submit for review
Place instruments needing cleaning in appropriate location to be turned over
Clean and restock OR between cases

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

Competitive salary
Generous sign-on bonus $1,000
Generous paid time off
Tuition assistance
50% discount on veterinary care
403b matching
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
You may be eligible for The Public Loan Service Forgiveness Program as we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit employer

Pay Range

$17.30—$22 USD

Excellence in veterinary medicine since 1910. AMC Offers:

A Commitment to Lifelong Learning: Founded in 1910, the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center is the world’s largest veterinary teaching hospital, offering compassionate, collaborative, and cutting-edge veterinary care. Our commitment to innovation has led to the creation of one of the most advanced veterinary facilities in the world.

State-of-the-Art Facilities: AMC just completed a major expansion and renovation. This project transformed the hospital’s entire 83,000-square-foot space into a state-of-the-art facility unlike any other.

Highlights include: A brand-new full floor surgical center, 1.5 Tesla Philips MRI (the exclusive high field MRI for small animals in NYC), 64-slice spiral CT scanner, Electroencephalography (EEG), Elekta Versa HD Linear Accelerator, In-house Laboratory, Ultrasound, Echocardiogram, and Mobile Cone Beam CT

A multidisciplinary team of 140+ veterinarians across 20+ specialties: With over 20 specialties and services under one roof, our departments frequently work together to deliver the highest quality of patient care in the veterinary field. Our dynamic array of specialists means that we are the go-to place for complex cases.

A Hospital in the heart of NYC: AMC is located in Manhattan, surrounded by leading research and teaching institutions such as Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical School, and NYU. Collaborative research opportunities abound, and our strong focus on education ensures a rewarding career for those passionate about mentoring and advancing veterinary medicine.