Veterinary Assistant, ER, Alta Vista Specialty and Emergency Veterinary Center

Pet Services of Washington, P.S.; Ottawa; Sur place; CAD 25 000 - 34 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

VCA Canada in Ottawa, ON is seeking a Veterinary Emergency Assistant for full-time hours. You will triage emergencies, assist vets with treatment plans, monitor vitals, and support clients with clear explanations and compassionate care.

Qualifications include a Veterinary Assistant diploma and fluent English. The role involves lifting up to 50 kg, working in a fast-paced hospital setting and mentoring teammates.

Qualifications

• Preferred: Veterinary Assistant diploma; Fluent in English (Reading, Writing, and Oral)
• Able to support patients up to 50kg and lift up to 25kg.

Responsabilités

• Triage emergency cases and obtain vitals (temp, HR, RR, BP).
• Assist with creating and explaining treatment plans to owners.
• Understand normal vital sign ranges (HR, RR, Temp, BP, SpO2).
• Monitor vital signs and alert Vet to changes.
• Assist phlebotomy and IV catheters.
• Identify arrest risk and assist CPR.
• Mentor and train colleagues.
• Provide patient, empathetic client support.
• Caring for ill patients (walking, feeding, restraint).
• Provide client updates by phone or in person.
• Update clients on wait times and expectations.
• Stocking, cleaning, and maintenance of ER area.

Connaissances

Stellar client service

Composure under pressure

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Initiative & independence

Decision making

Professionalism & integrity

Courteous & diplomatic

Confidentiality

Formation

Veterinary Assistant diploma

Fluent English

Description du poste

Location: Ottawa, ON

Compensation: $17.85 to $25.00 per hour, depending on experience

Employment Type: Full-time

Position Type: Existing position

Responsibilities

• Triage emergency cases as they arrive at the hospital including obtaining vitals such as temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure.
• Assist the doctor with creating patient treatment plans and thoroughly explaining them to owners.
• Have a complete understanding of normal ranges of patient vital signs, including but not limited to heart and respiratory rate, temperature, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.
• Obtain and interpret blood pressure and other vital signs and alert the Veterinarian to changes and issues.
• Assist with phlebotomy and intravenous catheters.
• Identify patients at risk for arrest and assist with CPR.
• Have a passion for mentoring and training other co-workers.
• Have patience and empathy to address client concerns.
• Care of ill patients, including walking, feeding, and restraint
• Client updates over the phone or in person
• Keeping clients up to date with waiting times and setting appropriate expectations
• Stocking, cleaning, and, maintenance of Emergency treatment area and hospital as a whole

Qualifications

• Preferred: Veterinary Assistant diploma; Fluent in English (Reading, Writing, and Oral)
• Preferred: Able to support patients up to 50kg and lift up to 25kg.

Skills

• Stellar client service skills
• Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations
• Time management skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks/projects
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills
• Proven ability to organize, takes initiative, works independently, exercises good judgment
• Decision-making and critical thinking skills
• Ability to build and maintain internal and external relationships with professionalism and integrity
• Exhibits a positive attitude and uses courtesy, diplomacy and discretion
• Maintains professional ethics and confidentiality.

A little bit about us

We are Canada's largest network of companion animal hospitals, devoted to providing compassionate care for pets. Our team of over 2500 people operate specialty-referral, primary care, alternative therapy and emergency hospitals and are committed to providing superior patient care and client experience. At our core are our people - people we think of as family. Our different strengths and interests enrich and improve us with diversity, innovation and excellence. In support we are national leaders in career development and growth opportunities, continuing education, scholarships and awards. We are also passionate about giving back to the community through Paw It Forward, our national philanthropic program.

What VCA Canada Offers

• RRSP Employer 5 % Match Program - saving for your future just got easier!
• A caring culture of Wellness and Appreciation !
• Competitive wages and benefits!
• Opportunity to apply for a Veterinary Technician/Technologist scholarship (annual process)
• Annual uniform allowance
• Exceptional career development: there is room to grow here!
• Referral Bonus Rewards
• Opportunities to give back to your community through VCA initiatives
• Generous personal pet care discounts
• And extra perks like shopping discounts and cool wellness apps!

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