Veterinary Assistant, ECC

ethosveterinaryhealth; San Marcos (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

Professional development assistance

CE allowance for RVTs and Veterinary A

On-site Learning & Development

Pet discount programs

Employee Assistance Program

On-site social events

Job summary

Veterinary Specialty Hospital North County in San Marcos, CA is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to support Emergency & Critical Care services. You will work with experienced doctors and specialists in a fast-paced environment, delivering nursing care for emergency patients and assisting with diagnostics, anesthesia, and treatments.

This role offers a competitive hourly rate of $20-$30 and benefits through Ethos Veterinary Health, with opportunities for growth, ongoing education, and a

Qualifications

• Minimum two year veterinary assistant experience.
• Proficient in venipuncture, IV placement, drug calculations and medication administration.
• Ability to monitor patients, obtain history, assist with anesthesia and surgery, and educate clients.
• Lift up to 50 pounds and restrain patients; strong communication and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Deliver exceptional nursing care for emergency and critically ill patients throughout hospitalization.
• Triage incoming emergency patients and support clients.
• Collaborate with Emergency Doctors and Critical Care Specialists on assessments, diagnostics, treatments and procedures.
• Obtain and process laboratory samples; utilize imaging to support patient care.
• Monitor and recover patients under sedation and anesthesia.
• Provide advanced nursing care for intensive care patients, including dialysis and plasma therapies.
• Work with veterinarians, technicians and support staff to maintain high standards.
• Foster a positive, collaborative hospital culture.

Skills

Venipuncture

IV catheter placement

Drug calculations

Medication administration

Patient monitoring

Medical history collection

Surgical preparation

Anesthesia monitoring

Client education

Job description

Veterinary Assistant– Emergency & Critical Care
$20-30/hour
San Marcos, California
Schedule:Day or Overnight Shift Available

Join the exceptional team at Veterinary Specialty Hospital North County as a Registered Veterinary Technician in our Emergency & Critical Care department. You'll work alongside experienced Emergency Doctors and Critical Care Specialists in a collaborative, fast-paced specialty hospital where advanced medicine, teamwork, and compassionate patient care come together. This is an opportunity to build your skills, work with complex and rewarding cases, and make a meaningful impact for pets and their families every day.

Why Join Veterinary Specialty Hospital North County

At Veterinary Specialty Hospital North County, part of Ethos Veterinary Health, you'll join a close-knit team that values collaboration, learning, and clinical excellence. Our Emergency & Critical Care service manages a diverse caseload using advanced diagnostics and treatment options, giving technicians the opportunity to expand their skills while working alongside experienced specialists and emergency clinicians.

We invest heavily in our team through dedicated learning and development support, continuing education, mentorship, and opportunities for career advancement. Beyond the hospital floor, we foster an engaging culture with employee appreciation events, wellness resources, and exceptional benefits designed to support both you and your pets.

In your day-to-day, you will:

• Deliver exceptional nursing care for emergency and critically ill patients throughout hospitalization.
• Triage incoming emergency patients while providing compassionate support to clients during their visit.
• Partner with Emergency Doctors and Critical Care Specialists to perform patient assessments, diagnostics, treatments, and procedures.
• Obtain and process laboratory samples while utilizing diagnostic imaging to support patient care.
• Monitor and recover patients undergoing sedation and anesthesia.
• Provide advanced nursing care for intensive care patients, including those requiring dialysis and total plasma exchange therapies.
• Work closely with veterinarians, technicians, and support teams.
• Contribute to a positive, team-focused hospital culture.

What You Bring

• Minimum twoyear of veterinary assistant experience.
• Strong proficiency with:
  • Venipuncture
  • IV catheter placement
  • Drug calculations
  • Medication administration (IV and other routes)
  • Patient monitoring and vital signs
  • Medical history collection
  • Surgical preparation and anesthesia monitoring
  • Client education
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and safely restrain patients.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• A collaborative mindset and commitment to exceptional patient care.

Perks & Benefits

Benefits for this role may include health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement benefits, paid time off (including sick leave and vacation), short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance.

• Competitive compensation
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• Three weeks of accrued paid time off
• CE allowance for RVTs and Veterinary Assistants
• VetBloom continuing education library
• Ethos-sponsored scholarships and professional development
• On-site Technician Learning & Development Specialist
• License application and renewal reimbursement for RVTs
• Employee Assistance Program
• On-site social worker
• Dedicated onboarding and leadership support
• 75% employee pet discount
• Pet feeding discount programs
• Free annual pet exams, vaccines, and laboratory work through the Blood Donor Program
• Employee appreciation events, holiday celebrations, birthday recognition, and more
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement

Location Highlight

Located in beautiful San Marcos, California, Veterinary Specialty Hospital North County offers the perfect balance of Southern California living with access to beaches, hiking trails, and vibrant communities. Enjoy a year-round mild climate while building your career at one of the region's leading specialty and emergency veterinary hospitals.

About Ethos Veterinary Health

Ethos Veterinary Health, part of the NVA Group, is where you come to practice world‑class 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 leaders in academic-caliber hospitals designed for learning, teaching, and discovery.

Here, mentorship is a two‑way street. You'll share your expertise, learn from others, and continue to grow clinically, professionally, and personally.

At Ethos, you inspire hope, deliver exceptional care, and pursue veterinary medicine at its highest level—together.

Ethos Veterinary Health is at the forefront of innovation and world‑class medicine. As the premier network of over 140 specialty and emergency hospitals across North America, Ethos brings together a dedicated community of more than 1,500 specialized doctors providing care for nearly 2 million pets annually. The integrated and collaborative network of veterinary professionals utilize state‑of‑the‑art technology and a scientific, evidence‑based approach to deliver compassionate, unparalleled care and rewarding careers. Committed to revolutionizing veterinary medicine, Ethos sets the standard in veterinary excellence. Discover more at EthosVet.com.

Ethos Veterinary Healthoffers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, a 401k with employer match, and paid time off (including sick time) for all eligible employees. The team can provide more information about compensation and benefits for your specific location during the process. For positions based in Colorado, Ethos provides eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave and public health emergency leave in accordance with the requirements of Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.

Ethos is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Ethos does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, competence, merit, and business need.