Pet Grooming Assistant / Bather

Position Summary
Hours - Part-time:  Monday - Wednesday, 8:00a - 12:00p - Some Thursdays, 8:00a - 12:00p. 
Compensation:  Minimum Wage Plus Tips

The Grooming Assistant provides support to professional groomers by assisting with pet handling, bathing, drying, brushing, and maintaining salon cleanliness. The ideal candidate is passionate about animal care, comfortable handling pets of various sizes and temperaments, and committed to providing exceptional customer service.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist groomers with bathing, drying, brushing, and basic coat preparation.
• Safely handle and restrain pets during grooming procedures.
• Clean ears, trim nails, and perform other basic grooming tasks as directed.
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of grooming stations, tools, kennels, and common areas.
• Monitor pets for signs of stress, illness, or discomfort and report concerns to groomers or management.
• Support the check-in and check-out process for grooming appointments.
• Communicate professionally and courteously with pet owners.
• Launder towels and replenish grooming supplies as needed.
• Ensure compliance with salon safety policies and animal welfare standards.
• Assist with scheduling, inventory, and other administrative duties when required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous experience working with animals is preferred but not required.
• Ability to safely handle dogs and cats of various breeds, sizes, and temperaments.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Reliable, punctual, and team-oriented.
• Willingness to learn grooming techniques and salon procedures.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand for extended periods.
• Frequent bending, lifting, and reaching.
• Ability to lift and carry pets weighing up to 50 pounds, with assistance for larger animals when necessary.
• Comfortable working in a wet environment with exposure to pet hair, shampoos, and cleaning products.

Preferred Skills

• Basic knowledge of animal behavior and handling.
• Experience in pet care, veterinary, kennel, daycare, or grooming settings.
• Attention to detail and commitment to pet safety.
• Ability to remain calm and patient with nervous or anxious animals.

National Veterinary Associates (NVA) is a leading North American pet health care company with nearly 1,300 locations spanning general practice veterinary hospitals, Ethos emergency and specialty hospitals, and pet resorts and equine veterinary care. With approximately 40,000 team members, we care for pets and support pet families in communities across the United States and Canada.  Our purpose is to give pets and the people who love them more quality years together, and our mission is to make care more personal, easy and accessible while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life. Across NVA, we support our teams with the resources, expertise and opportunities they need to deliver exceptional care and help shape the future of veterinary and pet care.

Purpose: Give pets and the people who love them more quality years together

Mission: Transform the pet family experience to be personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life. 

Values: Care Deeply, Do What’s Right, One Team, Own It, Shape What’s Next 

One NVA: Bringing General Practice & Ethos Together

NVA is built to make care personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine across every stage of a pet’s life. 

At National Veterinary Associates, we want to make sure your experience connecting with us is seamless and straightforward. Here’s what to expect when interacting with us: