Veterinary Assistant - Emergency

MARS Veterinary; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Medical, dental, vision

401K

Pet discounts

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

VCA California Veterinary Specialist in Carlsbad, CA is seeking a Veterinary Assistant for the Emergency Department. The role supports veterinarians and technicians in emergency care and requires flexible scheduling.

We offer competitive pay ($18-$22/hour) with a $3/hour shift differential, comprehensive benefits, pet discounts, and opportunities for career growth within a national network.

Join a team that values your voice, provides hands-on training, and participates in community events.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Veterinary Assistant or in a related field is required.
• Strong knowledge of veterinary procedures, medical terminology, and animal care.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to interact compassionately with pet owners and team members.
• Ability to lift and carry heavy loads and stand for extended periods.
• Flexibility to work various shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians in all aspects of patient care, including emergency procedures and specialty treatments.
• Prepare and maintain examination and treatment areas, ensuring they are clean and stocked.
• Perform routine tasks such as taking patient histories, administering medications, and preparing samples for laboratory tests.
• Monitor patients before, during, and after procedures, ensuring their comfort and well-being.
• Educate pet owners on post-procedure care and provide them with detailed instructions and support.
• Handle medical and surgical instruments with care, adhering to sterilization and safety protocols.
• Collaborate with team members to manage and prioritize a busy caseload efficiently.

Skills

Veterinary care

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Job description

VCA California Veterinary Specialist is seeking a Veterinary Assistant for the Emergency Department.

Location: 2310 Faraday Ave, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Why we love VCA CVS Carlsbad

Small hospital feel with big company support Competitive compensation ($18-$22 per hour), shift differential: $3/hour depending on shift. Generous employee pet discounts Flexible Schedules Great coastal community location close to the beach, food options, fitness centers, and shopping Monthly hospital-wide activities & games, raffles, with awesome prizes Access to “Perkspot”- receive coupons and discounts for anything you can imagine We value your voice and regularly implement suggested changes from our suggestion box Join various hospital committees or VCA Diversity Resource Groups to enrich your experience and involvement in the hospital & company In-hospital, fresh food micro-market always stocked with an ever-changing array of food and drink options Sweet & Savory Stop - get your fix with international snacks and treats Referral rewards - tell your friends why they should work for us too! And if they do, receive a referral bonus for qualified candidates. Supportive, multi-faceted, educational training program We are focused on your career growth; we empower you with all the knowledge and skills you need to be successful Opportunities to get out into the community and participate in local events Something new every day - you'll never be bored Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance 401K w/ company match HSA/FSA options Paid Holidays Vacation & Sick time off

Key Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians in all aspects of patient care, including emergency procedures and specialty treatments.


• Prepare and maintain examination and treatment areas, ensuring they are clean and stocked.


• Perform routine tasks such as taking patient histories, administering medications, and preparing samples for laboratory tests.


• Monitor patients before, during, and after procedures, ensuring their comfort and well-being.


• Educate pet owners on post-procedure care and provide them with detailed instructions and support.


• Handle medical and surgical instruments with care, adhering to sterilization and safety protocols.


• Collaborate with team members to manage and prioritize a busy caseload efficiently.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Veterinary Assistant or in a related field is required.


• Strong knowledge of veterinary procedures, medical terminology, and animal care.


• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to interact compassionately with pet owners and team members.


• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment while maintaining a positive attitude.


• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.


• Ability to lift and carry heavy loads and stand for extended periods.


• Flexibility to work various shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

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! 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).

A leader in veterinary care, VCA Animal Hospitals is committed to taking care of the future of veterinary medicine. We are a family of hometown animal hospitals determined to positively impact pets, people and our communities. From primary care to emergency, urgent and specialty care, VCA delivers world-class medicine and hometown care to more than four million pets each year. We invest in cutting-edge tools, training and technology that enable Associates across our national network of hospitals to lead the industry today and into tomorrow. Among our talented 35,000 Associates are nearly 7,000 veterinarians – including 500 who are board-certified specialists – nearly 4,000 credentialed technicians and over 10,000 veterinary assistants – all dedicated to giving pets the very best in medical care. The future of veterinary medicine is in our hands. Join us.

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