Registered Veterinary Technician - Emergency and Critical Care - Relief

AAVMP; La Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

Pet Emergency & Specialty Center La Mesa, part of Thrive Pet Healthcare, seeks a Relief RVT or experienced Veterinary Assistant to join our team on-site in La Mesa, CA. You will assist veterinarians, perform outpatient tasks, and help with diagnostics, admissions, and discharges.

The role requires 4–6 years as a Veterinary Assistant or RVT, strong client communication, and a willingness to guide colleagues in a fast-paced setting. Compensation is hourly and negotiable.

Qualifications

• Proficient in triage and Vet tech procedures.
• Registered Veterinary Technician or highly skilled assistant.
• Excellent verbal and written communication with clients.
• Able to multi-task in a fast-paced clinical setting.
• Works well in a collaborative team environment.

Responsibilities

• Support veterinarians to ensure quality care and educate clients.
• Assist with outpatient treatments, diagnostics, admissions, and discharges.
• Maintain medical records with clinic systems.
• Obtain health history from clients and manage charts.
• Ensure clean, sterile treatment areas and labs.
• Mentor and support fellow team members.

Skills

Triage proficiency

Team player

Communication skills

Multitasking under pressure

Education

Registered Veterinary Technician

Job description

Relief RVT or Experienced VA

La Mesa, CA

At Pet Emergency & Specialty Center La Mesa, a Thrive Pet Healthcare partner, we take action to empower your best care for pets, their families, and yourself.

We are a community of 400 clinics forming an extraordinary network of unparalleled resources and people. Through outstanding learning and career options, comprehensive benefits, and abundant support, you’ll be nurtured and appreciated for who you are and what you bring to the table. We come together in both the joys and heartaches of our profession to lift each other up through laughter and empathy.

And, we have plenty of fun along the way!

Who We Are

At Pet Emergency & Specialty Center, our team is dedicated to providing quality care to our patients and elevating our client experience.

We have several different specialists including Critical Care, Surgery, Internal Medicine, and Avian and Exotics. Collaboratively we strive to provide the highest level of care, education, and understanding to our clients, their pets, and our referring veterinarians.

What We Are Looking For

Pet Emergency & Specialty Center is looking for a Relief Registered Veterinary Technician or experienced Veterinary Assistant to join our team.

As a Veterinary Technician, you will play an important role in pets’ lives by providing care for our patients in need. Your life-changing work will range from the hands‑on care of facilitating outpatient treatments and performing diagnostics, to support services including admitting for hospitalized treatments and discharging patients.

Role Responsibilities:

• Support veterinarians to ensure quality veterinary care, advocate for pets, and educate clients.
• With each hospital function, assist veterinarians and the medical team to maximize productivity and maintain positive patient flow.
• Assist with surgeries and procedures in accordance with your state's Veterinary Practice Act outlined for credentialed veterinary technicians.
• Communicate with clients about individualized pet health concerns and treatment plans
• Assist in maintaining relevant, comprehensive medical records with the support of practice systems.
• Obtain relevant health history and information from clients and maintain medical charts.
• Use safe restraining techniques, follow standard protocols, and sustain clean, sterile, organized treatment areas, exam rooms, and labs.
• Be willing to guide, mentor, and support fellow team members.

Experience & Skills Requirements:

• Proficient in Triage
• 4-6 years of experience as a Veterinary Assistant or RVT*
• Registered Veterinary Technician or Highly Skilled Veterinary Assistant
• Proficient in IV catheters placement, blood work, and IV, IM and SQ injections
• Proficient in monitoring anesthesia and working with various monitoring equipment
• Team player
• Eager to learn and is self‑motivated
• Enjoys a challenging and fast‑paced environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to multi‑task under pressure

Compensation negotiable based on credentials and experience with a hourly pay rate starting at $21-36 hour. The actual rate offered will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

2 shift per month minimum required (16 hours).

At Thrive Pet Healthcare, we celebrate and embrace the uniqueness and diversity of all of our team members, pet parents, and pets. We strive to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture where all team members belong and feel empowered.