Emergency Veterinary Assistant - Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists

PetVet Care Centers; Soquel (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid parental leave

401(k)

Pet discounts

Mental wellbeing support

CE stipends

Job summary

PetVet Care Centers’ Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists in Santa Cruz, California, seeks an Emergency Veterinary Assistant to join a fast-paced ER team. You will triage, assist with exams, take radiographs, and help manage medications while ensuring compassionate care for every patient and owner.

We offer a collaborative culture, opportunities for growth in emergency medicine, and a supportive environment with mentorship and continuing education.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience as a veterinary assistant.
• Experience in triage, Sub-Q injections, history taking, restraint, assisting with exams, and radiographs.
• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate care to all patients.
• Greet patients and owners, take weight and vitals, and guide them to exam rooms.
• Triage patients, perform exams, treatments, and administer medications under supervision.
• Assist doctors and technicians with medications and patient restraint.
• Perform lab tests and take radiographs.
• Maintain medical records and hospital cleanliness; ensure proper documentation.

Job description

PetVet Care Centers' Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists is currently seeking a Emergency 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.

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:

• We take pride in fostering a collaborative, team-oriented culture, along with a strong commitment to growth and advancement within our Emergency Department. Our hospital values meaningful partnerships between doctors, technicians, assistants, and client care teams, and we are dedicated to creating an environment where team members feel supported, heard, and empowered to grow professionally.
• We are seeking individuals who are passionate about high‑quality emergency medicine and thrive in a fast‑paced, team‑driven environment. As part of our growing ER department, you will play an important role in shaping its future while working with a diverse and dynamic caseload, ranging from urgent care to complex medical cases. This provides ongoing opportunities to strengthen your emergency and critical care skills.
• We also emphasize mentorship and collaboration, ensuring team members have the support and resources needed to build confidence and expand their knowledge in emergency medicine. As our service continues to grow and evolve, we are excited to welcome individuals who are eager to learn, contribute, and be part of that journey.

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)

• 2 or more years of experience working as an assistant in the veterinary field.
• Experience in Triage, Sub‑Q injections, history taking, restraint, assisting with exams, and radiographs
• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to be considered for this position

Preferred Skills (Nice To Have)

• Previous ER experience

Schedule

• Sunday - Wednesday, day shift starting between 7AM - 12PM
• 4 Ten hour shifts, including a weekend shift 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

$23—$27 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.

You care for pets. We care for you.

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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