Full-Time Veterinary Assistant - Paws and Claws Veterinary Hospital

PetVet Care Centers; Tracy (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid Parental Leave

401(k) with discretionary contribution

Team Member Pet Discounts

Emotional wellbeing support

CE stipends and career development

Grant Circle relief fund

Local hospital culture backed by nat'l

Job summary

PetVet Care Centers' Paws and Claws Veterinary Hospital in Tracy, CA is seeking a full-time Veterinary Assistant to support veterinarians and technicians. Responsibilities include cleaning, restraining, preparing surgery, and performing clerical tasks to ensure smooth daily operations.

The role requires 3+ years veterinary experience, anesthesia and IV skills; AAHA accreditation and Fear Free experience are valued. Work shifts run 7:45am–7:30pm with a mix of weekdays and Saturdays.

Qualifications

• 18 years of age or older.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3+ years of veterinary medicine experience, including pre-/post-op surgical prep and patient recovery.
• Anesthesia monitoring experience.
• IV catheter placement and blood collection.

Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate care to all patients.
• Greet patients and owners, take weight and vitals at arrival.
• Triage, perform exams, treatments and med administration as directed by LVTs.
• Assist doctors with medications and patient restraint.
• Perform laboratory tests and radiographs; operate medical equipment.
• Maintain medical records and chemical handling safety.
• Educate clients about wellness plans and insurance options.
• Maintain hospital cleanliness and proper documentation.

Skills

Veterinary medicine experience

Anesthesia monitoring

IV catheter placement

Blood collection

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

PetVet Care Centers' Paws and Claws Veterinary Hospital is currently seeking a Full Time Skilled 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 420 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 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 Paws and Claws Veterinary Hospital in Tracy, California strive to make vet visits as stress free as possible for both the patient and the pet owner. We are an AAHA accredited hospital with Fear Free Certified team members and utilize low stress handling techniques. Through collaborative and compassionate care, our goal is to provide a Gold Star Standard of Care!

Why Join Us:

• AAHA-Accredited practice
• Fear Free Certified Professionals

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
• 3+ years of veterinary medicine experiencePre-/Post-op surgical prep and patient recovery
• Anesthesia monitoring experience
• Skilled in IV catheter placement and blood collection

Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)

• Fear Free Certified
• Low Stress Handling Certification

Schedule

• 4-8 hour shifts scheduled between 7:45am-7:30pm, Mon.-Fri. with a 1 hour lunch break. Saturday shifts rotate among team members.
• 4-8 hour shifts scheduled between 7:45am-5:00pm on Saturdays with a 30 minute lunch break.
• Weekly scheduled hours are between 30-40 hours.

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

$20 — $24 USD

At PetVet Care Centers, we’re committed to aCulture 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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