Veterinary Technician Assistant, Ottawa Veterinary Hospital

VCA Animal Hospitals; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RRSP employer match

Paid time off

CE allowance

Education & certifications

Mental health support

Career development

Pet care discounts

Uniform allowance

Job summary

VCA Canada Ottawa Veterinary Hospital is seeking a Veterinary Technician Assistant to join our emergency care team in Ottawa, Ontario. You will provide hands-on support with patient care and collaborate with a compassionate team to maintain a high standard of service for pets and their families.

The role requires flexibility for variable shifts, including nights and weekends, and a caring, calm demeanor to help keep patients comfortable and staff supported.

Qualifications

• Warm, compassionate approach with strong client service mindset.
• VA certificate or equivalent clinical experience is a plus.
• Ability to stay calm and gentle in fast-paced medical settings.
• Genuine eagerness to learn and support the veterinary team daily.
• Flexibility to work variable shifts including nights, weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on support to the veterinary team with patient care and procedures.
• Create a welcoming client experience and support pet parents.

Skills

Client service

Empathy

Calm under pressure

Education

VA certificate

Job description

Veterinary Technician Assistant

Location: Ottawa, ON

Employment Type: Full-time

Schedules: Variable shifts, may include nights, overnights, weekends and holidays.

Job Status: Existing

Compensation: $18.00 to $25.00 per hour, depending on experience and skills

At Ottawa Veterinary Hospital, we welcome a Veterinary Technician Assistant to join our emergency care team in Ottawa, Ontario. This is an exciting opportunity for an organized, motivated, and empathetic professional to step into an important hospital support role.

What You Will Do

• Provide hands‑on support to our veterinary team, assisting with patient care, treatments, and clinical procedures.
• Create a welcoming haven for our clients, ensuring pet parents feel supported, heard, and valued.
• Nurture a gentle, low‑stress environment to help keep our patients' comfort a top priority.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized hospital, ensuring our reception, holding, and common areas are always pristine.
• Collaborate across departments to keep our daily hospital workflow running smoothly and efficiently.

What You Bring

• A warm, compassionate heart with exceptional client service skills and a nurturing approach to pet care.
• A Veterinary Assistant (VA) certificate or equivalent technical assistance clinical experience is an asset.
• The ability to stay calm, gentle, and adaptable under pressure and in fast‑paced medical situations.
• A genuine eagerness to learn, grow your clinical skills, and support our veterinary team with daily treatments.
• Must have flexibility to work a variety of shifts, which may include nights, overnights, weekends and holidays.

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 hospital:

For years, our team at VCA Canada Ottawa Veterinary Hospital has been proud to serve our local community around the clock as a trusted 24/7 destination for emergency pet care. What makes our hospital truly special is the culture we build together every day. We believe the best emergency care happens when our multidisciplinary team leans on one another, sharing knowledge, solving complex cases collaboratively, and celebrating the daily wins. Here, you’ll find an open, inclusive, supportive group that is passionate about learning, loves to mentor and be mentored, and genuinely has your back through every critical intake, complex case, and shared moments in between.

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.