Animal Rescue League Of Iowa·Des Moines, Iowa
Provide overnight veterinary medical care, monitor hospitalized animals, and administer treatments under the direction of veterinary staff. Responsibilities include conducting wellness rounds, caring for neonatal kittens, and preparing the medical department for day-shift operations.
Help keep compassionate care going around the clock.
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is seeking a compassionate and dependable Overnight Veterinary Assistant to join our Medical team. This position provides overnight monitoring, care, and support for animals receiving medical treatment at ARL Main and Clowder House.
This is a great opportunity for someone with a veterinary medical background who is comfortable working independently and wants to make a meaningful difference for animals during the hours when they may need extra attention most. This role provides overnight support for the animals current in care and is the first call an animal may need to be taken in after hours.
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is Iowa’s largest nonprofit animal welfare organization, helping animals and the people who love them through sheltering, adoption, veterinary care, animal services, community programs, and pet support resources. Across multiple locations and programs in the Des Moines metro, the ARL works every day to provide compassionate care, practical support, and trusted resources for animals and families in our community.
What you'll do
Provide overnight monitoring and medical care for animals at ARL Main and Clowder House.
Complete wellness rounds to ensure animals remain safe, comfortable, and receive timely attention.
Administer medications and treatments as directed by veterinary staff.
Monitor hospitalized patients and communicate changes to the on-call veterinarian.
Assist with after-hours animal intakes as needed.
Provide care for neonatal kittens, including feeding, cleaning, and monitoring.
Maintain accurate records and help prepare medical areas for the next day.
Follow safety, sanitation, medical, and low-stress animal handling procedures.
What we're looking for
High school diploma or GED, required.
At least one year of Veterinary Assistant or related veterinary medical experience.
Veterinary Technician certification or equivalent veterinary medical experience preferred but not required.
Ability to work independently overnight and use sound judgment.
Strong attention to detail, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Comfort working with animals of varying sizes, temperaments, and medical needs.
Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office.
Benefits: For full-Time employees
This position works in an active animal shelter and medical environment and may require prolonged standing, walking, bending, cleaning, handling animals, and lifting up to 50 pounds. The role may involve exposure to moderate noise, animal waste, cleaning chemicals, zoonotic diseases, and the possibility of bites or scratches while following established safety procedures.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Why join the arl?
As an Overnight Veterinary Assistant, your work helps ensure animals continue receiving attentive medical care, comfort, and support after hours. If you are dependable, compassionate, and comfortable working independently overnight, we would love to have you join our team.
Employment in this position is at-will, meaning either the employee or the ARL may end the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, as permitted by law.
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state law. Applicants and employees are encouraged to discuss potential accommodations as needed.
Market context
In Iowa, overnight veterinary assistant roles are often driven by clinics and emergency practices that need dependable coverage outside standard hours. These jobs can be competitive because employers look for hands-on animal care experience, physical stamina, and comfort with basic computer systems, while veterinary technician certification can strengthen an application. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then highlight your animal handling background and night-shift availability in your application.
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