Critical Care Veterinary Assistant - Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists

PetVet Care Centers; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Parental leave

401(k) plan

Pet discounts

Wellbeing resources and Calm app

Job summary

PetVet Care Centers' Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists is seeking a Critical Care Veterinary Assistant to join the team in Santa Cruz, CA. You will support veterinarians and technicians, handle patient care, client communication, and documentation in a collaborative ICU environment.

The position emphasizes care quality, teamwork, ongoing mentorship, and opportunities to grow within a national network of hospitals.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous veterinary experience.
• Strong client communication skills.
• Comfortable discussing veterinary recommendations and financial considerations with clients, including end‑of‑life care.

Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate care to all patients.
• Greet patients and owners, take weight and vitals on arrival.
• Triage, perform exams, treatments, and administer medications as directed.
• Calm and soothe anxious patients; assist with restraints and procedures.
• Maintain medical records and assist with lab tests and imaging.
• Educate clients about insurance, wellness plans, and discharge instructions.
• Maintain hospital cleanliness and safety; handle kennels and equipment.

Skills

Client communication

Team collaboration

Observation skills

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Vet software

Job description

PetVet Care Centers' Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists is currently seeking a Critical Care Veterinary Assistant to join their team!

At PetVet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people — providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage — for all the moments that matter.

Because life is better with pets.

We deliver the Ultimate Care Experience — every pet, every client, every time. That starts with a Culture of Care that supports our team members as much as the pets and clients we serve.

With more than 400 locally led hospitals and over 11,000 team members nationwide, we offer:

• Local autonomy with national support
• Career mobility and development opportunities
• A collaborative, inclusive environment where your wellbeing comes first

You care for pets. We care for you.

Position Overview

Join our team as a Critical Care Veterinary Assistant who supports the veterinarians and technicians in their daily tasks by cleaning and maintaining equipment, feeding, exercising and grooming patients, preparing and sanitizing surgery suites, restraining and handling patients, and clerical and administrative work. They deliver quality care for all patients and provide exceptional service.

At Pacific and Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists in Santa Cruz, California, our team shares a passion for exceptional patient care and a deep sense of teamwork. We work closely across departments to ensure every pet receives the highest quality of care and every client feels supported. Our culture is built on collaboration, respect, and learning. Team members are encouraged to grow their skills through mentorship, continuing education, and hands‑on experience in a supportive environment.

Why Join Us:

• Are you an experienced veterinary technician who enjoys the critical thinking, problem-solving, and client interaction that come with critical care, but are looking for a role with less day-to-day hands‑on nursing? The Critical Care Veterinary Assistant may be a great fit.
• This position works closely with our Criticalists, supporting the oversight and management of patients in our ICU and CCU. You will play an important role in helping guide patient care by assisting with client discussions, reviewing treatment plans, discussing financial considerations, and helping owners understand potential next steps.
• Client communication will be a significant part of this role, including phone updates, conversations during patient visits, and discharge discussions. You will also remain involved in the clinical side of patient care by assisting with examinations, ultrasounds, sedations, and other procedures as needed.
• This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned technician who wants to use their experience in a different capacity while continuing to make a meaningful contribution to patient care. It may also be a great next step for someone who has developed a strong foundation in veterinary medicine and is ready to continue growing, learning, and taking on new responsibilities alongside our Critical Care team.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate care to all patients
• Greet patients and their owners as they arrive and show them to an examining room, taking the patient's weight and other vital signs upon arrival
• Triage patients, perform physical exams, treatments, and administer medication as directed by the licensed veterinary technicians (LVT's).
• Calm and soothe anxious patients
• Assist doctors and technicians with the administration of medications or with patient restraint
• Perform laboratory tests and take radiographs
• Operate and maintain hospital equipment, including EKG, fluid pump, syringe pump, scales, anesthetic monitors, and machines, etc.
• Fill prescriptions, calculate and administer medications, maintain proper documentation, logging, and security of controlled drugs.
• Feed patients as prescribed by the attending doctor or as the client has requested; record appetites; recognize and report any unusual conditions or abnormal behaviors
• Communicate in a positive manner with clients and ensure that they feel comfortable leaving their pet(s)
• Educate clients about insurance, wellness, and medicinal plans
• Maintain the cleanliness of the hospital each day; clean equipment, kennels, and facilities using chemicals and supplies; ensure the safe use of chemicals; complete laundry
• Bath and care for patients who stay overnight; ensure that every animal released is clean and properly groomed prior to their release
• Adhere to the hospital's safety and wellness regulations
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Maintain accurate medical records
• Show up for work regularly; full-time presence at work is essential for every shift
• Promote hospital products and services and support the organization
• Respond respectfully with urgency to directions given by Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVT).
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Manager; may have other assigned duties if working in a specialty area (i.e., dentistry, surgery, emergency, radiology, cardiology, neurology, internal medicine, etc.)

Qualifications (Required)

• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to be considered for this position
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous veterinary experience.
• Strong client communication skills.
• Comfortable discussing veterinary recommendations and financial considerations with clients, including sensitive topics such as end-of-life care.
• Ability to obtain and record TPRs (temperature, pulse, and respiration).

Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)

• Experience assisting with sedations and taking radiographs (X-rays)

Schedule:

• Monday - Sunday hours starts between 7AM and 10AM
• Must be able to work 1 weekend shift a week and some holidays

What We Offer

We care deeply about supporting our team members — professionally and personally. Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid Parental Leave (birth, adoption, foster)
• 401(k) with discretionary contribution
• Team Member Pet Discounts
• Emotional wellbeing support — including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP
• CE stipends and career development resources
• Grant Circle — a relief fund for team members facing personal hardship
• Local hospital culture backed by national resources

Pay Range $22.50 — $26 USD

At PetVet Care Centers, we’re committed to a Culture of Care — for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. With more than 400 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 dedicated professionals, including 1700+ veterinarians, we offer a unique blend of local leadership and national support that helps our hospitals thrive.

Our model is built on partnership, collaboration, and local medical autonomy, empowering each hospital to deliver high-quality care while benefiting from shared resources and a strong professional community. Whether you’re providing care in a hospital or supporting operations behind the scenes, PetVet is a place where you can grow your career, stay connected to your purpose, and make a meaningful impact.

PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V

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