Veterinary Assistant - Emergency

VCA Animal Hospitals; Fountain Valley (CA); On-site; USD 27,552 - 34,440; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Paid vacation/sick days

401(k) retirement plan

Generous employee pet discounts

Additional benefits

Job summary

VCA West Coast Specialty & Emergency Animal Hospital in Fountain Valley, CA is seeking a Veterinary Assistant to join our fast-paced Emergency Department. You will support patient care, assist veterinarians and technicians, and help with daily hospital operations.

The ideal candidate has at least 2 years of veterinary experience, strong communication, and a compassionate approach to animals and clients. Competitive pay and benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• 2 years minimum Veterinary Medicine experience as a Veterinary Technician or Assistant
• Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and common conditions (Preferred but not required)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team‑oriented environment
• Compassionate and empathetic attitude towards animals and their owners

Responsibilities

• Employee communications
• Assist in training, education, and development of staff
• Ensure records are maintained accurately.
• Answering client referral calls.
• Ensure communication tasks are completed daily.
• Oversee client flow to ensure clients and patients are seen and treated in a professional, timely manner.
• Communicate client updates to department technicians and doctors.

Skills

Client service

Communication skills

Detail oriented

Financial & medical charges

EMR documentation

Pet owner education

Team collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Assist doctors/techs

Education

2 years veterinary experience as Vet Technician/Assistant

Job description

Join the VCA West Coast Specialty & Emergency Animal Hospital team!

Location

18300 Euclid St., Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Schedule

Full-Time, Tuesday, Thursday – Saturday, 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Salary

$20 - $25 / hour.

Compensation is dependent on education, experience, credentials, location, nature of practice, schedule, and additional responsibilities.

Why We Want You!

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Veterinary Assistant (VA) to join our Emergency Department team. The ideal candidate will play a vital role in delivering exceptional client service, supporting patient care, and assisting with the daily operations of our fast-paced hospital environment.

This position requires a compassionate individual with a strong passion for animal care and a commitment to providing high-quality support to both patients and clients. As an integral member of our team, you will work collaboratively with veterinarians, veterinary technicians, assistants, and support staff to ensure the highest standard of care and overall well‑being of our patients.

Key Responsibilities

• Employee communications
• Assist in training, education, and development of staff
• Ensure records are maintained accurately.
• Answering client referral calls.
• Ensure communication tasks are completed daily.
• Oversee client flow to ensure clients and patients are seen and treated in a professional, timely manner.
• Communicate client updates to department technicians and doctors.

Skills

• Excellent client service skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Must be detail‑oriented
• Possess a good understanding of financial and medical charges.
• Maintain accurate electronic medical records and ensure proper documentation.
• Communicating and educating pet owners on medical conditions, treatment plans, and at‑home care.
• Collaborate with other departments to provide comprehensive care to patients.
• Ensure compliance with veterinary regulations and standards.
• Assisting our Doctor and Technician staff as needed with patient care.

Qualifications

• 2 years minimum Veterinary Medicine experience as a Veterinary Technician or Assistant
• Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and common conditions (Preferred but not required).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team‑oriented environment.
• Compassionate and empathetic attitude towards animals and their owners.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• Paid vacation/sick days
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Generous employee pet discounts
• Additional benefits

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