Cardiology Veterinary Assistant (VA)

Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) matching

Paid sick time

Paid vacation time

Scrub allowance

Clinical growth program

Collaborative workplace

Job summary

Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital in San Luis Obispo is seeking an experienced Cardiology Veterinary Assistant to work with board-certified cardiologists on complex cardiac cases. You will gain hands-on specialty medicine experience while supporting the cardiology and broader teams.

This role emphasizes growth, strong clinical skills, and the ability to multitask in a busy 24/7 setting, with competitive hourly compensation and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2-3 years of veterinary assistant experience.
• Experience in specialty and/or emergency hospital preferred.
• Strong clinical skills incl. IVC placement, monitoring, restraint, phlebotomy.
• Excellent communication and ability to multitask under pressure.
• Commitment to growth and reliable attendance.

Responsibilities

• Assist with patient intake, histories, and presentation to cardiologist.
• Coordinate diagnostics, labs, and imaging.
• Monitor patients post-anesthesia or sedation.
• Communicate updates and discharge instructions to clients.
• Prepare and fill prescribed medications in collaboration with cardiologist.
• Collaborate with other specialty teams for coordinated care.
• Mentor junior staff and assist other hospital assistants.
• Float to other departments as needed.

Skills

Veterinary assistant experience

IVC placement

Patient monitoring

Restraint techniques

Phlebotomy

Communication skills

Multitasking

Reliability

Education

2-3 years veterinary assistant experience

Tools

EMR / clinic software

Job description

Position Overview : Cardiology Veterinary Assistant (VA)

As a member of our cardiology team, you will work alongside our board-certified cardiologists to support the care of complex cardiac patients. You’ll gain hands-on experience in specialty medicine while working closely with our cardiology and broader specialty teams. This position is ideal for an experienced Veterinary Assistant interested in developing their clinical skills and learning more about specialty care.

Employment decisions are made without regard to protected characteristics under federal, state, or local law.

Essential Job Duties

• Assist with patient intake, collect histories, and present patients to the cardiologist
• Coordinate and perform diagnostics, laboratory testing, and imaging
• Monitor patients following anesthesia or sedation for invasive procedures
• Communicate with clients regarding patient updates, care plans, and discharge instructions
• Coordinate with the cardiologist to prepare and fill prescribed medications for patients
• Collaborate with other specialty teams to provide coordinated patient care
• Mentor and support junior Veterinary Assistants and Hospital Assistants
• Float to other departments as needed based on daily caseload and hospital needs

These duties represent the essential functions of the position but are not intended to be an exhaustive list.

Qualifications & Skills

• A minimum of 2-3 years of experience as a veterinary assistant (required)
• Experience in a specialty and/or emergency veterinary hospital (preferred)
• Strong clinical skills including but not limited to: IVC placement, patient monitoring, restraint, and phlebotomy
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and remain calm in a fast-paced environment
• A commitment to growth and professional development
• Reliable attendance and punctuality

Scheduling & Availability Requirements

• This position is based in a 24/7 emergency and specialty hospital.
• For full-time: reliable availability to work three to four 10-hour shifts or four to five 8-hour shifts
• For part-time: reliable availability to work at least two 10-hour shifts or two 8-hour shifts

Requests for schedule modifications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may be considered where reasonable and consistent with business operations and applicable law.

What We Offer

• Compensation of $21.50-$28.50 per hour based on experience and skill level
• Comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid sick time and vacation time for eligible employees
• A yearly scrub allowance of $200 for eligible employees
• An AtDove membership to support clinical growth and development
• A collaborative, respectful workplace culture
• Exposure to emergency and specialty veterinary medicine in a modern facility
• The opportunity to live and work in San Luis Obispo, with access to outdoor recreation, wineries, and a vibrant community

Shift Differentials

We recognize the value of overnight and weekend coverage and offer additional compensation for eligible hours worked:

• Overnight Differential : +$3.00/hour for hours worked between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM
• Weekend Differential : +$3.00/hour for hours worked between Friday at 8:00 PM and Monday at 6:00 AM

These differentials are separate and cumulative. Team members working eligible overnight hours during the weekend differential period may earn both differentials, providing the opportunity to earn up to an additional $6.00/hour above their base rate.

Join Our Team!

If you are an experienced veterinary professional looking to grow your career in emergency and specialty medicine, we would love to hear from you! Join us in shaping the future of veterinary medicine while making a meaningful impact on the lives of pets and their families.

For more information about Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital, visit our website at www.cerroaltovet.com. We look forward to welcoming you to the Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital team!