Veterinary Assistant, ER, Vancouver Animal Emergency & Referral Centre

AVC Clinics (British Columbia) Ltd.; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedules

Competitive wages

Pet care discounts

Career development

Job summary

VCA Canada in Vancouver, BC is seeking an enthusiastic Veterinary Assistant to support the emergency service. The role involves assisting staff with treatments, providing compassionate care, and maintaining clean areas. Shifts include daytime, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays, typically 12 hours, 3 shifts per week.

Candidates should have strong client service, communication, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. VA/VOA certificate is an asset.

Qualifications

• Must deliver compassionate client service and support within a fast-paced emergency setting.
• Ability to communicate clearly with clients and the medical team.
• Experience or training in patient care and restraint techniques is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinary staff with tasks and treatments.
• Provide compassionate care, including feeding and walking patients.
• Demonstrate knowledge of patient care and restraint techniques.
• Keep reception and holding areas clean and organized.
• Coordinate between clients and medical team to enhance client experience.

Skills

Exceptional client service

Strong communication

Compassionate attitude

Calm under pressure

Positive attitude/learning

Initiative/independence

Education

Veterinary VA or VOA certificate

Job description

Veterinary Assistant Department: Emergency Location: Vancouver, BC Compensation: $19.00 to $25.00 per hour, depending on experience The Vancouver Animal Emergency and Referral Centre is an established, cutting-edge, multidisciplinary facility located in the heart of Metro Vancouver. Our Emergency Service is welcoming enthusiastic, highly motivated veterinary assistants. This is an exceptional opportunity for an organized, motivated, and empathetic individual to join us in an important support role for the entire hospital.

Responsibilities

• Assist the veterinary staff with various tasks and treatments
• Providing compassionate care duties, including feeding and walking patients
• Technical skills should include knowledge of patient care and restraint techniques
• General housekeeping duties; cleanliness of reception area, pet holding areas, and common areas
• Enhance the client’s experience by coordinating between the clients and members of the medical team

Requirements

• Exceptional client service skills that build trust and loyalty with clients
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with a dynamic and diverse team
• Compassionate and nurturing attitude when providing care to clients and patients
• Ability to remain calm and efficient in stressful situations
• Positive outlook and enthusiasm for learning
• Initiative in carrying out assignments and working independently
• Veterinary Assistant (VA) or Veterinary Office Assistant (VOA) program certificate is an asset

Schedule: As the Emergency Service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, this position will include shifts in the daytime, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holiday shifts. Shifts are typically 12 hours in length, 3 shifts/week.

What VCA Canada Offers

• Flexible schedules!
• Competitive wages and benefits!
• VCA Canada Student Loan RRSP Program – Ask us more!
• Opportunity to apply for a Veterinary Technologist scholarship (annual process)
• Medical Library; 2000+ journals, 600+ textbooks, research, and more at your fingertips!
• Extensive online anytime-anywhere access to journals and textbooks
• Annual uniform allowance RRSP Employer 5 % Match Program – saving for your future just got easier!
• 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

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. #BC #Vancouverjobs #VeterinaryAssistant A leader in veterinary care, VCA Animal Hospitals is committed to taking care of the future of veterinary medicine. We are a family of hometown animal hospitals determined to positively impact pets, people and our communities. From primary care to emergency, urgent and specialty care, VCA delivers world-class medicine and hometown care to more than four million pets each year. We invest in cutting-edge tools, training and technology that enable Associates across our national network of hospitals to lead the industry today and into tomorrow. Among our talented 35,000 Associates are nearly 7,000 veterinarians – including 500 who are board-certified specialists – nearly 4,000 credentialed technicians and over 10,000 veterinary assistants – all dedicated to giving pets the very best in medical care. The future of veterinary medicine is in our hands. Join us.