Full-Time ICU Veterinary Assistant- Pacific and Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists

PetVet Care Centers; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Parental leave

401(k) plan

Pet discounts

Wellbeing support

CE stipends

Job summary

PetVet Care Centers’ Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists is seeking a Full-Time ICU Veterinary Assistant in Santa Cruz, CA. You will support veterinarians and technicians with daily tasks, admit and monitor patients, and help with exams and treatments.

Join a collaborative team that values mentorship, continuing education, and a strong culture of care for pets, clients, and staff. This role offers full-time hours and opportunities for growth in emergency and specialty medicine.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Excellent communication skills when interacting with clients.
• Experience handling animals and restraining them safely is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate care to all patients.
• Greet patients and owners, guide them to an examination room, and record basic vitals.
• Triage patients, assist with medications, and support doctors and technicians.
• Maintain clean and organized hospital areas and equipment; follow safety protocols.
• Maintain accurate medical records and contribute to a positive client experience.

Skills

Animal handling

Communication with clients

Restraint of animals

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

PetVet Care Centers' Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists is currently seeking a Full-Time ICU Veterinary Assistant to join our 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.

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 ICU 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:

• Work alongside experienced veterinarians and skilled veterinary professionals across multiple specialties.
• Be part of a collaborative team providing advanced emergency and specialty medicine.
• Play an important role in supporting patient care behind the scenes.
• Develop new skills and grow within a diverse veterinary hospital.
• Join a team that values teamwork, accountability, compassion, and continuous learning.
• At PSCVS, every role matters. Whether you are directly involved in patient care or supporting the medical teams behind the scenes, your contribution makes a difference.

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 animal-handling experience, particularly with dogs and cats
• Comfortable performing animal husbandry duties
• Strong communication skills when interacting with clients
• Comfortable safely handling and restraining animals.

Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)

• Ability to obtain and record TPRs (temperature, pulse, and respiration) for dogs and cats.

Schedule

• Monday - Sunday 8:30AM-7PM, 4 ten-hour shifts
• Must be able to work a weekend shift every 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 — $25 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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