Veterinary Assistant, Bayview Animal Hospital

VCA Animal Hospitals; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RRSP Employer Group Match (5%)

Paid time off for continuing education

Annual CE Allowance

Benefits: 24 hours/week eligibility

Paid annual certification memberships

Uniform allowance

Mental health support tools

Career development pathways

Pet care discounts

Job summary

Bayview Animal Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario is seeking an experienced Veterinary Assistant to join our hospital team. You will provide hands-on support to our veterinary team, assist with patient care, treatments and procedures, and help maintain a welcoming, low-stress environment for pets and their families.

The ideal candidate has a Veterinary Assistant (VA) certificate or equivalent experience, stays calm under pressure, and works well both independently and in a team.

Qualifications

• Veterinary Assistant (VA) certificate or equivalent clinical experience.
• Ability to stay calm, gentle and adaptable under pressure in fast-paced medical situations.
• Warm, compassionate demeanor with exceptional client service skills.
• Self-motivated team player who can work independently or collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on support to the veterinary team, assisting with patient care, treatments, and clinical procedures.
• Create a welcoming haven for clients, ensuring pet parents feel supported, heard, and valued.
• Nurture a gentle, low-stress environment to keep patients comfortable.
• Maintain a clean, safe, organized hospital, including reception, holding, and common areas.
• Collaborate across departments to keep daily workflow running smoothly.

Skills

Client service

Calm under pressure

Team player

Adaptability

Initiative

Education

Veterinary Assistant (VA) certificate

Job description

Veterinary Assistant

Employment Type: Full-time

Level: Experience, 2-year minimum

Job Status: Existing

Compensation: $18.00 to $25.00 per hour, depending on experience and skills

At Bayview Animal Hospital, we welcome an experienced Veterinary Assistant to join our team in Ottawa, Ontario. This is an exciting opportunity for an organized, motivated, and empathetic professional to step into an important hospital support role.

What You Will Do

• Provide hands-on support to our veterinary team, assisting with patient care, treatments, and clinical procedures.
• Create a welcoming haven for our clients, ensuring pet parents feel supported, heard, and valued.
• Nurture a gentle, low-stress environment to help keep our patients' comfort a top priority.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized hospital, ensuring our reception, holding, and common areas are always pristine.
• Collaborate across departments to keep our daily hospital workflow running smoothly and efficiently.

What You Bring

• A warm, compassionate heart with exceptional client service skills and a nurturing approach to pet care.
• A Veterinary Assistant (VA) certificate or equivalent clinical experience.
• The ability to stay calm, gentle, and adaptable under pressure and in fast-paced medical situations.
• A genuine eagerness to learn, grow your clinical skills, and support our veterinary team with daily treatments.
• A self-motivated team player who confidently takes initiative and works well both independently and collaboratively.

What We Can Offer You

• Competitive compensation that reflects your skills, experience, and the role.
• RRSP Employer Group Match Program (5%) to help you save for the future.
• Paid time off for continuing education, vacation, sick days, and personal wellness days.
• Annual CE Allowance.
• Benefits: Minimum 24 hours per week for eligibility, with flexible options.
• Paid annual certification memberships and uniform allowance.
• Mental health support tools and resources: Virtual health care (telemedicine), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and digital wellness tools supporting mindfulness, sleep, and physical fitness.
• Various career development pathways.
• Generous personal pet care discounts and lifestyle perks, including exclusive shopping discounts and access to a wellness app.

Our Story

VCA Canada is a network of veterinary hospitals, with our head office in Calgary, Alberta, committed to positively impacting pets, people, and local communities for nearly 45 years. We have compassion for the neighbourhoods we serve and every pet within them, not just those we see in our hospitals. Every VCA Canada hospital location takes pride in its legacy of excellence, earning the trust of pet owners by delivering the highest quality of medicine to keep pets happy and healthy.

In 2017, VCA Canada became part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of brands, solidifying an even stronger commitment to ensuring the strength and stability of the veterinary profession and our commitment to pet parents nationwide. VCA Canada is also passionate about providing an industry-leading Associate experience to over 4,000 Canadians employed across the country. In 2026, for the third year in a row, we were named one of Alberta's Top Employers, which recognizes organizations whose head offices are located within the province and lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work. Additionally,we were selected as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People 2026, which recognizes employers across Canada that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work and programs for young people starting their careers.Most recently, we received 2026 Great Place to Work® Certification™ Canada.