Veterinary Assistant

Pet Services of Washington, P.S.; Fountain Valley (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay up to $30/h

Shift premium for evenings/overnights

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Employee pet discounts

Education programs

Job summary

VCA West Coast Specialty & Emergency Animal Hospital is seeking an Emergency Veterinary Assistant to anchor a fast-paced Emergency Department and support the clinical team. You will be the heartbeat of client communication and patient flow, delivering gold-standard care with empathy.

Join a top-tier medical network where your clinical intuition shines, and your passion for pets grows through ongoing education and professional development.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years working in veterinary medicine as a Veterinary Assistant or Technician.
• A deeply compassionate, empathetic, and level-headed approach under pressure.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to connect with anxious pet parents and a busy team.
• Detail-oriented mindset with a solid grasp of medical/financial tracking and record-keeping.

Responsibilities

• Anchor the Emergency Department and support a fast-paced team.
• Own client communication and guide families through high-stress moments.
• Assist top-tier emergency DVMs and technicians.
• Maintain accurate medical and financial records.

Skills

Veterinary experience

Empathy under pressure

Communication skills

Detail orientation

Job description

Ready to thrive under the lights of emergency medicine? If you are a high-energy Veterinary Assistant who loves the thrill of a fast-paced environment and has a passion for critical care, your next career chapter starts here.

At VCA West Coast Specialty & Emergency Animal Hospital , we don't just handle emergencies-we orchestrate seamless, lifesaving patient care and serve as a beacon of comfort for pet parents when they need it most. Step into a role where your clinical intuition is valued, your communication skills shine, and your passion for pets meets an elite, collaborative medical network.

Emergency Veterinary Assistant (VA)

Are you ready to make a real, daily impact in emergency medicine? VCA West Coast is looking for a compassionate, driven, and experienced Veterinary Assistant to anchor our fast-paced Emergency Department.

In this vital role, you won't just support a team-you'll be the heartbeat of client communication and patient flow. Working shoulder-to-shoulder with top-tier emergency DVMs and technicians, you will help deliver gold-standard medicine while guiding families through high-stress moments with empathy and grace.

What You Bring

• Experience: Minimum of 2 years working in veterinary medicine as a Veterinary Assistant or Technician.
• Heart & Soul: A deeply compassionate, empathetic, and level-headed approach under pressure.
• Communication Superpowers: Exceptional interpersonal skills to connect with anxious pet parents and a busy team.
• Organization: Detail-oriented mindset with a solid grasp of medical/financial tracking and record-keeping.

Why You'll Love Working With Us

• Competitive Pay & Shift Perks: Earn a strong base hourly wage up to $30/hour, plus extra premium pay for taking on critical evening or overnight hours!
• Robust Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Future Planning: Paid time off (vacation/sick days) and a 401(k) plan.
• Perks: Generous employee pet discounts to keep your own furry family members healthy and happy.
• Growth: Access to industry-leading ongoing education and professional development programs through VCA Careers.

Benefits

• Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!

Location

18300 Euclid St., Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Schedule

Full-Time (Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday)

Base Compensation

$20.00 - $30.00/hour (dependent on education, experience, credentials, and background)

Shift Premium Incentives

• Swing Shift Differential: Add +$2.00/hour to your base rate
• Overnight Shift Differential: Add +$3.00/hour to your base rate

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement, please see our career page at vcacareers.com

Job Description Disclaimer

The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development).