Veterinary Assistant

Polk Street Animal Hospital; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Tuition support

Referral bonuses

Health insurance

Paid time off

Pet discounts

Job summary

Polk Street Animal Hospital in San Francisco is seeking an Experienced Veterinary Assistant to join our fast-paced team. This full-time role offers 4x10-hour shifts and a competitive hourly salary with opportunities for growth in a supportive clinic.

You will assist with patient handling, vaccines, anesthesia recovery, diagnostics, and client communication while upholding our standards of compassionate veterinary care and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Experience as a veterinary assistant preferred.
• Ability to handle patients safely and communicate clearly with clients.
• Demonstrates compassion and professionalism in a fast-paced clinic.

Responsibilities

• Safe and effective patient handling and restraint
• Knowledge of preventative care and vaccines
• Attentive monitoring and recovery of surgical patients
• Emergency and surgical care – IV catheter placement
• Obtaining diagnostics (radiographs, phlebotomy, lab work)
• Professional, compassionate client and staff communication
• Accurate documentation of patient records and interactions

Skills

Critical thinking

Reliability

Attention to detail

Compassionate communication

Job description

Who we are:

Polk Street Animal Hospital is Hiring a Veterinary Assistant!

Position Details

• Role: Experienced Veterinary Assistant
• Status: Full-time
• Salary: $25 – $30 per hour
• Schedule: 4 x 10-hour shifts

Benefits Highlights

• Financial Rewards that Grow with You:Competitive pay, 401(k) matching, tuition support, and referral bonuses
• Wellness & Peace of Mind:Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with supplemental options; up to three weeks of paid parental leave; generous PTO; and employee discounts
• Professional Growth & Recognition:Quarterly team bonuses, continuing education allowance, state license & VTNE fee reimbursement, and uniform allowance
• Lifestyle Perks You’ll Appreciate:Six paid holidays and an Employee Assistance Program

Polk Street Animal Hospital (PSAH) is located in the bustling Polk Gulch neighborhood on Polk St., between Washington and Jackson St. There is high demand for veterinary care in the surrounding neighborhoods, and our team strives to meet this demand with the highest quality of care.

We’re seeking Veterinary Assistants with a passion for veterinary medicine, a commitment to excellent client care, and the ambition to become an integral part of our healthcare team.

Why Our Veterinary Assistants Love it Here

• Consistent scheduling to foster a proper work-life balance
• Team-first culture that’s supportive, fun, and big on growth
• Leadership that listens and invests in your development
• Mentorship, continuing education, and real career pathways

What Our Veterinary Assistants Bring

• Critical thinking, curiosity, and a can-do attitude
• Reliability and professionalism in a fast-paced setting
• Excellent attention to detail
• Commitment to compassionate medicine and a great client experience

What You’ll Contribute

• Safe and effective patient handling and restraint
• Knowledge of preventative care and vaccines
• Attentive monitoring and recovery of surgical patients
• Emergency and surgical care - including IV catheter placement
• Obtaining diagnostics - including radiographs, phlebotomy, and sample collection, and performing in-house lab work
• Professional, compassionate communication with clients and staff
• Succinct documentation of patient records and client interactions

Benefits You Can’t Beat

Financial Benefits

• A flexible approach to compensation that reflects your skill set and future performance
• 401(k) matching & Roth Retirement Savings Plan
• Flexible Spending Account (full-time only)
• 529 Savings Plan
• Tuition Support Program (full-time only)
• Referral bonus program

Wellness Benefits

• Health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision (full-time only)
• Supplemental insurance, including accident, critical illness, hospital, short and long-term disability, legal plan, and employee, spouse, and child-dependent life insurance (full-time only)
• Up to three weeks of full pay for the birth or adoption of a child (full-time employees only; available after one year of service). In states with paid family leave programs, this benefit does not apply.
• Sick Time / Paid Time Off
• Free/discounted lab work for all employee pets
• Pet discounts on services and products
• Pet food discount program

Workplace Benefits

• Quarterly Team Rewards Bonus Program
• State license reimbursement
• VTNE exam fee reimbursement
• Professional development opportunities
• Continuing education allowance
• Uniform allowance

Lifestyle Benefits

• Six paid holidays (full-time only)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discount program

Join Our Team!

If you're a self-motivated, enthusiastic team player and would like to be part of an organization committed to leading San Francisco veterinary care, we look forward to you joining our team!

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values at Polk Street Animal Hospital and Vetcor. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working and learning environment for all employees. Every team member enriches our diversity by exposing us to various ways to understand and engage with the world. That’s why we’re committed to a workplace culture where employees are comfortable being their authentic selves, feel a complete sense of belonging, and are empowered to reach their highest potential.