Veterinary Assistant, Medical Oncology, Western Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Centre

VCA Animal Hospitals, Inc; Calgary; On-site; CAD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RRSP Employer Match (5%)

Paid time off for CE, vacation, sick,

Annual CE Allowance

Benefits for ≥24 hrs/week

Uniform allowance

Mental health resources

Career development pathways

Pet care discounts

Wellness app access

Job summary

VCA Canada is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to join the Medical Oncology team in Calgary, AB. This position supports a fast-paced emergency and referral center with specialists across multiple areas, contributing to patient intake, restraint, and treatment routines.

The role involves daily client communication, lab work, and assistance with imaging and treatment planning. We value empathy, reliability, and a proactive approach to learning in a busy clinical environment.

Qualifications

• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills.
• Able to adapt to changing daily needs of a fast-paced department.
• Personable, upbeat and empathetic with clients.
• Motivated to learn new things and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Patient intake and discharge including questions and discharge directions.
• Restraint for examinations, catheter placement, blood draws.
• Basic patient husbandry: walking, feeding, comforting anxious pets.
• Use of lab equipment and general in-clinic procedures.
• Assist with CT and treatment patient positioning and care.
• Communicate with clients via daily updates and scheduling.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Strong communication

Adaptable

Motivated to learn

Tools

Lab equipment

Medical imaging prep

Job description

Veterinary Assistant

Department: Medical Oncology

Location: Calgary, AB

Western Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Centre are welcoming an Oncology Veterinary Assistant. We are a fast-paced 24-hour emergency and referral center with specialists in the following areas: Surgery, Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Radiology, and Radiation Oncology. Our Medical Oncology Department is looking to add a team member!

The successful candidate will have the following qualities and attributes:

• Highly detail-oriented with good organizational skills
• Adaptable to the changing needs of the department from day to day
• Personable/upbeat/empathetic
• Motivated to learn new things
• Comfortable taking the extra time that may be needed while interacting with exacting clients

Your daily tasks will include:

• Patient intake and discharge (including asking general info questions at intake and reviewing discharge/medication directions at discharge)
• Patient restraint for examinations, catheter placement, blood draws, etc.
• Basic patient husbandry (walks, feeding, snuggling the anxious ones)
• Using lab equipment
• Assistance with patient positioning in CT and treatment
• Client communication (daily update phone calls, arranging pickup times)
• Helping with collecting required forms and intake documents ahead of time
• Service email account management (directing questions to myself, Emily, etc.)
• Assisting with machine warm-up and plan quality assurance checks

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.