Veterinary Assistant, Critical Care, Calgary Animal Referral and Emergency Centre

Pet Services of Washington, P.S.; Calgary; On-site; CAD 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation reflective of

RRSP Employer Group Match Program (5%)

Paid continuing education and vacation

Annual CE Allowance

Benefits: minimum 24 hours per week

Job summary

The Calgary Animal Referral and Emergency Centre (CARE Centre) is seeking a full-time Critical Care Veterinary Assistant to join our 24-hour emergency and referral specialty hospital in Calgary, AB. The role supports RVTs and veterinarians, caring for patients, communicating with clients, and maintaining a clean, organized ICU environment.

Ideal candidates are energetic, self-motivated and able to multitask in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• Previous or equivalent veterinary experience in a clinic setting is required.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced hospital environment and adapt to a 12-hour rotating shift pattern.

Responsibilities

• Perform proper restraint techniques when assisting RVTs and veterinarians in assessing and treating patients
• Assist veterinarians and RVTs while they collect samples, take radiographs and perform ultrasounds
• Client communication, including daily updates on how the pet is doing and giving financial updates
• Provide physical and emotional support for patients
• Help to maintain the hospital treatment areas and ensure general cleanliness
• Other duties as needed for general maintenance of the ICU and hospital

Skills

Restraint techniques

Client communication

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

Multitasking

Veterinary care

Job description

Veterinary Assistant

Department: Critical Care

Location: Calgary, AB

The Calgary Animal Referral and Emergency Centre (CARE Centre) is welcoming a full-time Critical Care Veterinary Assistant to join our dedicated and dynamic pet healthcare team. The CARE Centre is a 24-hour emergency and referral specialty hospital. We are committed to supporting pet owners and the veterinary community by providing the highest level of emergency and referral care.

The primary role of the Critical Care Tech Assistant is to assist the RVTs and veterinarians with daily tasks and patient care. They are also the hands-on caregivers for our patients in the hospital, including feeding, walking and general cleanliness of patients and their housing to make their stay most comfortable.

• Perform proper restraint techniques when assisting RVTs and veterinarians in assessing and treating patients
• Assist veterinarians and RVT's while they collect samples, take radiographs and perform ultrasounds
• Client communication, including daily updates on how the pet is doing and giving financial updates
• Provide physical and emotional support for patients
• Help to maintain the hospital treatment areas and ensure general cleanliness
• Other duties as needed for general maintenance of the ICU and hospital

Our team members are passionate about pets and their people. The ideal candidate will be energetic, self-motivated, outgoing and possess strong organizational skills. The CARE Centre is a fast-paced environment, so the ability to multitask is essential. Strong interpersonal skills are necessary to thrive in our strongly team-based environment, as well as to provide the exceptional client experience the CARE Centre is known to offer. An interest in continual learning is supported with a continuing education allowance. Previous or equivalent veterinary experience in a clinic setting is required.

Schedule: In this role, candidates must be available to work 40 hours per week on 12-hour rotating shifts, 7 days a week (including weekdays/weekends and overnights) to accommodate the C.A.R.E. Centre's 24-hour hospital. Rotation is typically 4 on, 4 off.

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.