Specialty Vet Assistant – Internal Medicine & ER Support

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

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