Veterinary Assistant - Community Medicine (Spay/Neuter)

SAN-Francisco-Spc; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off and Holiday pay

Medical, Dental & Vision insurance

Life Insurance

Long-term Disability Insurance

401k Retirement Plan and matching

Talkspace mental health support

Discounts on pet supplies

Discounts on veterinary care

Job summary

The SF SPCA’s Community Medicine team seeks a Veterinary Assistant to join a collaborative clinical group providing compassionate care to animals and their caregivers. You will assist from surgical check-in and preparation through recovery, support anesthesia and monitoring, and help ensure efficient patient flow in a fast-paced shelter setting.

Ideal candidates have prior veterinary assistant experience, desire humane animal handling, and comfort with clinic software and client communication.

Qualifications

• Experience working as a veterinary assistant is required.
• College coursework with an emphasis on animal-related science preferred.
• Commitment to humane animal handling and excellent client service.
• Experience with humane animal handling and restraint techniques of healthy, ill, and feral animals.
• Computer literate and able to master veterinary software as applicable to clinic operations.

Responsibilities

• Assist with treatments and procedures as directed by veterinarian.
• Monitor patients during recovery and assist in anesthesia prep and monitoring.
• Prepare and sterilize surgical instruments and maintain sterile supplies.
• Safely transport patients between operating areas and kennels.
• Restock supplies and maintain clean, organized treatment areas and workspaces.
• Record treatments, examinations, and test results in medical records.
• Communicate with clients about pet care and post-care instructions.
• Participate in regular staff meetings and collaborative care planning.

Skills

Veterinary assistant experience

Animal science coursework

Humane animal handling

Shelter environment experience

Vet software proficiency

Anatomy & physiology knowledge

Medical information communication

Self-motivation

Education

Animal science coursework

Tools

Veterinary software

Job description

Description

Join the SF SPCA’s Community Medicine team and help provide compassionate, high-quality veterinary care to animals and the people who care for them. We’re looking for a Veterinary Assistant who enjoys hands‑on patient care, working as part of a collaborative clinical team, and helping a busy veterinary program run smoothly.

In this role, you’ll support patients throughout their visit—from surgical check‑in and preparation through recovery and discharge. Responsibilities include assisting with treatments and procedures, safely handling and transporting patients, supporting anesthesia and recovery based on experience, maintaining and preparing surgical instruments, restocking supplies, preparing kennels and clinical workspaces, maintaining accurate medical records, and communicating with clients about their pets’ care.

We’re looking for someone who is compassionate, dependable, detail‑oriented, comfortable working in a fast‑paced veterinary environment, and committed to humane animal handling and excellent client service. Previous veterinary assistant experience is required.

This is a full‑time or part‑time, non‑exempt position with the SF SPCA’s Community Medicine Department.

Core Responsibilities

• Depending on level of experience, roles range from sterile resources to anesthesia recovery to anesthesia prep and monitoring
• Veterinary Assistants provide patient care by performing treatments as directed by veterinarian, monitor patients, and assist in procedures
• Clean, wash, inspect, package, and prepare surgical instruments for sterilization; maintain surgical instruments and sterile supplies according to established protocols
• Safely transport patients from the operating room to the recovery area, and from recovery to their assigned kennel, supporting appropriate patient handoffs and monitoring
• Restock clinical and surgical supplies and prepare kennels, treatment areas, and workspaces for the next day
• Understand standard veterinary terminology, procedures and animal health issues
• Provide thorough, detailed and compassionate patient care while providing excellent client services for the patient’s caretaker
• Knowledge of safe and gentle patient handling, anatomy and physiology, medical math, medical terminology, administering injections, performing phlebotomy, pharmacology and disease processes
• Understanding of physiologic normals and abnormals
• Follow veterinary care protocols for animals in the Community Medicine Department - including medical, behavior and general care protocols for the health and well‑being of the animals; individually and as a herd
• Comply with all laws pertaining to controlled substances
• Facilitate good working relationships through teamwork and collaboration to provide the best patient care
• Maintain and create patient records by accurately recording treatments, examinations, and test results on computerized patient charts and other medical records
• Participate in regular staff meetings
• Admit and release animals from Community Medicine in a responsive, courteous, and tactful manner to both internal and external clients
• Inform clients of any pertinent medical information regarding animal care – communicate release instructions
• Practice and encourage the humane treatment of animals
• Provide quality customer service to clients, volunteers, and staff while actively promoting our mission, services, programs and events
• Promote donation and giving opportunities as appropriate

Requirements

• Experience working as a veterinary assistant required
• College coursework with an emphasis on animal‑related science preferred
• Commitment to the mission, values, goals, and success of the San Francisco SPCA
• Experience with humane animal handling and restraint techniques of healthy, ill, and feral animals
• Experience in caring for and handling animals in a safe, effective and humane manner, especially larger and possibly untrained pets
• Comfortable working in the shelter environment and willing to accommodate animals in the work place
• Computer literate and able to master veterinary software as applicable to clinic operations
• Knowledge of basic dog and cat physiology, anatomy, and behavior as it relates to understanding the general health of animals.
• Ability to understand and communicate pertinent medical information with colleagues and clients
• Self‑motivated and able to initiate and complete tasks

Salary & Benefits The starting salary for this position depends on the depth and breadth of experience. The expected rate is $25.00 per hour.

Regular, full‑time positions are eligible for a benefits package including:

• Paid Time Off and Holiday pay
• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long‑term Disability Insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan and contribution matching
• Student debt relief program
• Pre‑tax Commuter Benefits
• Lifestyle Spending Account
• Mental health and wellbeing support with Talkspace
• Discounts on retail and pet supplies
• Discounts on veterinary care at our SF SPCA Veterinary Hospital and Clinic

The SF SPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This job description reflects the assignment of essential functions and does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. The San Francisco SPCA is an at‑will employer and may conduct pre‑employment background checks and drug screening depending on the role.