Veterinary Assistant

Vancouver Veterinary Hospital - WellHaven Pet Health; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A veterinary clinic in Vancouver is seeking an experienced Veterinary Assistant to support veterinarians and ensure high standards of care for pets. Responsibilities include assisting in procedures, client education, and maintaining medical records. The ideal candidate has a high school diploma, some veterinary experience, and excellent communication skills. This role offers competitive pay of $20.00 - $26.00 per hour, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive work environment promoting professional growth.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits

401k

Paid continuing education

Predictable scheduling

Qualifications

• 6+ months of experience in the veterinary industry.
• Ability to remain calm and resilient in a fast-paced environment.
• Maintain a high level of accuracy while managing constant interruptions.

Responsibilities

• Support veterinarians in surgeries and patient care.
• Maintain accurate medical charting for all patients.
• Educate clients on pet care and wellness plans.

Skills

Customer service focus

Excellent communication skills

Technical veterinary skills

Ability to handle animals

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Completion of NAVTA-approved veterinary assistant program

Job description

Vancouver Veterinary Hospital is seeking an experienced Veterinary Assistant to help support our continued growth. Our hospital provides a robust range of services, including General Practice, Internal Medicine, Urgent Care, and Exotic Medicine, plus a strong culture rooted in teamwork, compassion, and professional growth.

We believe great medicine starts with supporting the people who deliver it. Our team enjoys predictable scheduling, protected lunch hours, no overnights, and a culture that prioritizes patient care, education, and work life balance.

Your expertise deserves to be rewarded—and respected. Vancouver Veterinary Hospital offers exceptional compensation, comprehensive benefits, paid CE, PTO, uniform allowance, and 401k.

Our team operates with a clear and meaningful mission: to care for our clients, our patients, our community, and each other. We believe in collaborative medicine, supportive teamwork, and recognizing each individual’s contributions to create a truly fulfilling work environment.

WellHaven Pet Health is built on a foundation of "Well People, Well Pets, Well Practice, and Well Community" it's the heart of everything we do. With over 40 hospitals and growing, we are committed to supporting our teams with a positive culture, strong mentorship, and opportunities for growth. Our collaborative, team-centered approach ensures that both pets and people receive the care and support they deserve.

Job Summary

The Veterinary Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting veterinarians and veterinary technicians, ensuring the well-being of pets, educating clients, and maintaining the highest standards of veterinary care.

Key Responsibilities

• Demonstrate proficiency in applying technical skills acquired through education and experience, which includes expertise in surgery, dentistry, laboratory procedures, venipuncture, proper restraint techniques, and strict adherence to established protocols for maintaining a sterile and safe environment
• Contribute to the day-to-day efficiency and smooth operation of the hospital
• Utilize exceptional communication skills to engage with team members and clients effectively
• Maintain thorough and accurate medical charting for all patients, consistently meeting hospital quality control standards
• Educate clients about Wellness Plans, offering guidance on pet care and overall health as appropriate
• Assume responsibility for select reception duties, such as answering phone calls, scheduling appointments, and facilitating patient intake and discharge
• Obtain pertinent medical history and patient information
• Assist in managing hospital supplies, including inventory tracking and restocking as necessary
• Ensure the completion of all assigned hospital duties before the end of each shift
• Act as an advocate for the overall success and performance of the hospital

Customer Service Delivery

• Consistently provide professional, efficient, and exceptional service
• Demonstrate excellent communication and organizational skills when interacting with the veterinary team and clients
• Effectively adapt to individual clients and their needs
• Effectively resolve customer complaints as appropriate

Other

• Adhere to OSHA standards and regulations as outlined in company policies
• Ability to perform other job duties as assigned

Required Skills and Knowledge

Ability to:

• Enhance and acquire new veterinary technical skills such as proficiency in anesthesia, surgical assistance, and dentistry
• Work independently and exercise good judgment
• Remain action-oriented and effectively set priorities
• Work well in an extremely fast-paced work environment, remaining calm and resilient
• Exhibit proactive initiative in addressing tasks and challenges as they arise
• Complete work, maintaining a high level of accuracy while managing constant interruptionsLearn new computer software systems (EMR, Scheduling, etc.)
• Provide a high level of accountability

Experience / Knowledge In

• Handling dogs, cats, and exotic animals
• Providing basic animal care, such as feeding, bathing, grooming, and monitoring for signs of distress or illness
• Common medical procedures, including administering medications, wound care, and assisting with diagnostic tests

Demonstrates

• Strong customer service focus while effectively adapting to individual clients and their needs
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to manage a variety of emotional situations – remaining empathetic, compassionate, and approachable

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• 6+ months of experience in the veterinary industry
• Completion of an NAVTA-approved veterinary assistant program or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities (preferred)

Work Location, Environment, and Physical Requirements

• The Vet Assistant position is performed onsite at our hospital or at an approved offsite event location. Remote work is not available for this position
• Hospital environment includes limited space, smells from pet waste, and noise (barking, etc.)
• Schedules may include 10+ hour shifts, Saturdays, evenings, and holidays
• Good hand-eye coordination, arm-hand-finger dexterity with the ability to reach and grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard, operate equipment, and read information
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus
• Ability to lift 50+ pounds
• Able to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb
• May routinely be exposed to pets that may bite or scratch, biological hazards, anesthesia medications (smells), radiation if near an X-ray machine, prescription medications, including controlled substances

Additional Information

Our hospital is part of the WellHaven Pet Health ("WellHaven") network of hospitals. This allows us to have a more extensive and stronger support system, connecting with other hospitals in the area while remaining autonomous.

WellHaven helps veterinarians, and their teams succeed both personally and professionally. We value our medical teams and strive to support each team member each and every day. Our focus on personal growth, practice support, and life balance frame the relationship we want to have with our hospital teams. This people-first approach has made a considerable difference in the lives of our teams, clients, pets, our communities, and the health of our hospitals.

We’ve been recognized in Inc. Magazine for making a difference in our community and in Forbes for being named one of America's Best Startup Employers. It is an exciting time to be part of the WellHaven team and an excellent time for you to consider joining us!

WellHaven Benefits

WellHaven offers competitive pay and a great benefits package.

Please review our benefits package at: https://wellhaven.com/wellhaven-employment-benefits/

Salary Range

Salary Range: $20.00 - $26.00 per hour

Commitment to Diversity

WellHaven is an Equal Opportunity Employer. WellHaven is committed to complying with all applicable federal, state, and/or local laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including transgender status), marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, age, military or veteran status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other status protected by law.

In accordance with federal, state, and local law, WellHaven may provide reasonable accommodation to known physical or mental limitations of applicants during the hiring process unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on WellHaven. For more information, please contact WellHaven HR at [e-mail].

Pay Transparency Disclaimer

WellHaven Pet Health provides wage range information in accordance with applicable pay transparency laws. Third-party job boards and recruiting platforms may omit or misrepresent this information when reposting our job requisitions. WellHaven Pet Health is not responsible for any discrepancies in such postings. For the authoritative and most up-to-date wage range information for all positions and locations, please refer exclusively to our official careers page: https://wellhaven.com/join-the-team/.