Veterinary Assistant, CCU

Ethos Veterinary Health; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Job summary

Ethos Veterinary Health’s SAGE San Francisco hospital is seeking a Senior Veterinary Assistant to support the Critical Care team with hands-on nursing for critically ill patients. The role collaborates with board-certified specialists, emergency veterinarians, and RVTs in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate has strong ICU/critical care experience, excellent communication, and the ability to work Sundays through Wednesdays on a swing shift.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of hands-on veterinary clinical experience.
• Emergency, Critical Care, ICU, Specialty or high-volume hospital experience preferred.
• Strong technical skills including venipuncture, IV catheter placement, monitoring, and lab sample collection.
• Experience with veterinary anesthesia and anesthetic monitoring is a plus.
• Excellent communication, organization, critical-thinking, and teamwork abilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on nursing care and monitoring for critically ill and hospitalized patients.
• Assist with emergency triage, assessment, stabilization, diagnostics, treatments, and procedures.
• Perform advanced technical skills including venipuncture, IV catheter placement, sample collection and lab processing.
• Assist with medication administration, fluid therapy, and CRIs as appropriate.
• Assist with sedation and anesthesia monitoring, patient recovery, and ongoing nursing care.
• Maintain accurate treatment records and support continuity of care across shifts.

Skills

Veterinary clinical experience

Emergency/ICU experience

Communication skills

Education

VACSP permit (CA)

Tools

Venipuncture

IV catheter placement

Laboratory techniques

Anesthesia monitoring

Job description

Senior Veterinary Assistant - Critical Care

Up to $34.00/hour (DOE) + $5.50/hour Shift Differential
$5,000 Sign-On Bonus
Full-time opportunity in San Francisco, California
Schedule: Sunday-Wednesday | 12:00 PM-2:00 AM | Swing Shift

Put your advanced veterinary skills to work with the Critical Care team at SAGE San Francisco. We are seeking an experienced Senior Veterinary Assistant to help provide hands‑on nursing care for critically ill, unstable, and hospitalized patients alongside our board-certified specialists, emergency veterinarians, and RVTs.

This position is designed for a seasoned Veterinary Assistant with a strong technical skill set and experience in Emergency, ICU, Critical Care, or Specialty veterinary medicine.

Why Join SAGE San Francisco

SAGE San Francisco is a premier specialty and emergency veterinary hospital where experienced Veterinary Assistants have the opportunity to work with complex cases, advanced medical technology, and highly skilled veterinary professionals.

You’ll continue developing your technical abilities while gaining exposure to emergency stabilization, intensive patient monitoring, advanced diagnostics, anesthesia, and critical care nursing.

In Your Day-to-Day, You Will

• Provide hands‑on nursing care and monitoring for critically ill and hospitalized patients.
• Assist with emergency triage, patient assessment, stabilization, diagnostics, treatments, and procedures.
• Perform advanced technical skills including venipuncture, IV catheter placement, sample collection, and laboratory processing.
• Assist with medication administration, fluid therapy, and CRIs within the scope of the role.
• Assist with sedation and anesthesia monitoring, patient recovery, and ongoing nursing care.
• Closely monitor patient status and quickly communicate changes to veterinarians and RVTs.
• Maintain accurate treatment sheets and electronic medical records.
• Participate in patient rounds to support continuity of care between shifts.
• Collaborate with Emergency, Critical Care, and Specialty teams in a fast‑paced hospital environment.

What You Bring

• Minimum of three years of hands‑on veterinary clinical experience.
• Emergency, Critical Care, ICU, Specialty, or high-volume veterinary hospital experience strongly preferred.
• Strong technical skills including venipuncture, IV catheter placement, patient monitoring, and laboratory sample collection.
• Experience with veterinary anesthesia and anesthetic monitoring preferred.
• Strong understanding of medication and fluid calculations.
• Ability to recognize changes in patient condition and communicate concerns quickly and appropriately.
• Excellent communication, organization, critical‑thinking, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to remain calm and compassionate while caring for critically ill patients.
• California Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substance Permit (VACSP) required or must be obtained within 60 days of hire.

Perks & Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
• 401(k) with company match and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA/HSA)
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Veterinary Assistant Continuing Education (CE) allowance
• VetBloom access with RACE-approved continuing education
• Purdue University Veterinary Technician Program partnership and educational support
• Support toward becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)
• Career milestone bonuses and professional development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness resources
• Uniforms provided
• Career advancement opportunities throughout Ethos Veterinary Health

Location Highlight

Located in San Francisco, SAGE is accessible to veterinary professionals throughout Daly City, South San Francisco, San Bruno, Pacifica, San Mateo, Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, and surrounding Bay Area communities.

About Ethos Veterinary Health

Ethos Veterinary Health, part of the NVA Group, is where you come to practice world-class veterinary medicine and help shape what veterinary care becomes next.

Across our network of more than 140 specialty and emergency hospitals, science moves forward, standards are elevated, and innovation is put into practice every day. You’ll work alongside respected veterinary professionals while continuing to grow clinically and professionally.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ethos Veterinary Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, competence, merit, and business need.