Internal Medicine 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, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Paid sick time and vacation

$200 scrub allowance

AtDove membership

Collaborative workplace culture

Exposure to emergency and specialty VM

Live and work in San Luis Obispo

Job summary

Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital in San Luis Obispo is seeking an Internal Medicine Veterinary Assistant to support board-certified internists and specialty teams. You will help with patient care, diagnostics, treatments, monitoring, and client communication during each patient’s stay.

Ideal candidates have 2–3 years of veterinary assistant experience, especially in specialty or emergency settings, and possess strong clinical skills, communication abilities, and the capacity

Qualifications

• 2–3 years experience as a veterinary assistant (required)
• Experience in a specialty and/or emergency veterinary hospital (preferred)
• Strong clinical skills including 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

Responsibilities

• Assist with patient intake, collect histories, and present patients to the internist
• Coordinate and perform diagnostics, laboratory testing, and imaging
• Provide hands-on nursing care and assist with medical treatments and procedures
• Monitor hospitalized and outpatient patients and report changes in condition
• Monitor patients following sedation or procedures and assist with recovery
• Communicate with clients regarding patient updates, care plans, and discharge instructions
• Coordinate with the internist to prepare and fill prescribed medications
• Maintain accurate and timely medical records and treatment documentation
• Collaborate daily with the ER/ICU and other specialty services 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

Skills

2–3 years exp

Specialty/ER exp

IVC placement

Patient monitoring

Communication skills

Multitasking

Growth mindset

Punctuality

Job description

Position Overview: Internal Medicine Veterinary Assistant

As a member of our internal medicine team, you will provide hands‑on care for complex medical patients while working closely with our board‑certified internists and other specialty teams. You will assist with patient care, diagnostics, treatments, monitoring, and client communication throughout each patient’s stay. This position is ideal for an experienced Veterinary Assistant who enjoys challenging medical cases and wants to continue developing their clinical skills in a specialty setting.

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 internist
• Coordinate and perform diagnostics, laboratory testing, and imaging
• Provide hands‑on nursing care and assist with medical treatments and procedures
• Monitor hospitalized and outpatient patients and promptly report changes in condition
• Monitor patients following sedation or procedures and assist with recovery
• Communicate with clients regarding patient updates, care plans, and discharge instructions
• Coordinate with the internist to prepare and fill prescribed medications for patients
• Maintain accurate and timely medical records and treatment documentation
• Collaborate daily with the ER/ICU and other specialty services 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!