Veterinary Assistant, Surgery, Central Victoria Veterinary Hospital

VCA Animal Hospitals; Victoria; On-site; CAD 29,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RRSP Employer Match (5%)

Paid time off for CE, vacation, sick,

Annual CE allowance

Minimum 24 hours/week for benefits

Job summary

Central Victoria Animal Hospital is seeking a full-time Veterinary Assistant to join our surgery team. Central Victoria Veterinary Hospital is a 24-hour emergency and specialty hospital, dedicated to supporting pet owners and the veterinary community by delivering top emergency and referral care.

This role involves assisting staff with various tasks, preparing for surgery, maintaining asepsis, and creating a calm, client-friendly atmosphere.

Qualifications

• Experience in a surgery or specialty department is preferred but not required.
• A veterinary assistant certificate would be an asset.
• Strong communication skills are essential to thrive in a team-based environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinary staff with various tasks and treatments with keen attention to asepsis.
• Aid in preparation for surgery and other procedures
• Create a positive, low-stress atmosphere for clients and patients
• General housekeeping duties; cleanliness of work area, holding areas and common areas
• Perform thorough cleaning of surgery suites and sterilization of surgical instruments following protocols
• Willingness to learn more regarding veterinary services and assisting staff with tasks

Skills

Asepsis practices

Communication skills

multitasking

Education

Veterinary assistant certificate

Job description

Veterinary Assistant, Surgery

Location: Victoria, BC

Compensation: $21.00 to $24.00 per hour depending on skill and experience.

Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week with 10-hour shifts.

Central Victoria Animal Hospitalis looking for a full-time Veterinary Assistant to join our surgery team! Central Victoria Veterinary Hospital is a 24-hour emergency and specialty hospital. We are committed to supporting pet owners and the veterinary community by providing the highest level of emergency and referral care.

This opportunity includes a range of responsibilities that directly contribute to the efficient and effective daily operation of our surgery department. The ideal candidate will be energetic, self-motivated, outgoing, keen to learn new processes, and able to multitask. Strong communication skills are essential to thrive in this team-based environment. Experience working in a surgery or other specialty department is preferred but not required. A veterinary assistant certificate would be an asset.

• Assist veterinary staff with various tasks and treatments with keen attention to asepsis
• Aid in preparation for surgery and other procedures
• Create a positive, low-stress atmosphere for our clients and patients
• General housekeeping duties; cleanliness of work area, pet holding areas and common areas
• Perform thorough cleaning of surgery suites and sterilization of surgical instruments, following hospital protocols
• Willingness to learn more regarding veterinary services, updated medical office procedures and assisting the Veterinary staff with various tasks and treatments

Key attributes:

• Compassion and nurturing attitude
• Excellent attention to detail in task completion and communication
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• Ability to adapt in changing situations
• Efficient in carrying out assignments independently
• Takes initiative to complete tasks throughout the day

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.