Surgical 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 insurance

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

Vacation time

Yearly scrub allowance

AtDove membership

Collaborative workplace culture

Exposure to emergency and specialty-m護

Live in San Luis Obispo

Job summary

Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital in San Luis Obispo is seeking a Surgical Veterinary Assistant with a strong interest in surgery to join our inpatient surgical team. You will provide hands-on care from admission through recovery, support anesthesia, and help prepare patients for procedures.

The role requires 2–3 years of veterinary assistant experience; experience in a specialty or emergency setting is preferred, with strong skills in IVC placement, monitoring, restraint,

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of veterinary assistant experience (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

• Provide hands-on care for complex surgical and ICU patients.
• Assist with patient preparation, surgical procedures, anesthesia, and recovery.
• Coordinate and perform diagnostics, laboratory testing, and imaging.
• Monitor post-operative patients, including recovery, pain management, and potential complications.
• Communicate with clients regarding patient updates, care plans, and discharge instructions.
• Collaborate daily with the surgery, ER/ICU, and other specialty teams.
• Mentor and support junior Veterinary Assistants, Hospital Assistants, and other team members.
• Float to other departments as needed based on daily caseload and hospital needs.

Skills

Vet assistant experience

Surgical patient care

IVC placement

Patient monitoring

Restraint

Communication

Multitask

Punctuality

Job description

Position Overview: Surgical Veterinary Assistant

As a member of our surgical inpatient team, you will provide hands-on care for complex surgical patients from admission through recovery and discharge. You will work closely with our surgeons, RVTs, and other specialty teams to prepare patients for surgery, support procedures and anesthesia, and provide care throughout the pre- and post-operative period. This position is ideal for an experienced Veterinary Assistant with a strong interest in surgery who wants to deepen their clinical skills and take an active role in patient care.

Employment decisions are made without regard to protected characteristics under federal, state, or local law.

Essential Job Duties

• Provide hands-on care for complex surgical and ICU patients
• Assist with patient preparation, surgical procedures, anesthesia, and recovery
• Coordinate and perform diagnostics, laboratory testing, and imaging
• Monitor post-operative patients, including recovery, pain management, and potential complications
• Communicate with clients regarding patient updates, care plans, and discharge instructions
• Collaborate daily with the surgery, ER/ICU, and other specialty teams
• Mentor and support junior Veterinary Assistants, Hospital Assistants, and other team members
• 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.

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!