Veterinary Assistant, Emergency

Ethos Discovery; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus up to $5,000

Shift differential $5.50/hour

Medical benefits

401(k)

CE allowance

Career development

Job summary

Ethos Veterinary Health’s SAGE San Francisco hospital seeks a Senior Veterinary Assistant for the Emergency & Critical Care team. This full-time role offers hands-on support for critically ill and injured patients, with four 10-hour shifts (6:00 PM–6:00 AM) and a sign-on bonus up to $5,000, plus $5.50/hour shift differential.

You will work with veterinarians, RVTs, and a clinical team to grow in emergency medicine, anesthesia support, and advanced diagnostics, while maintaining documentation and

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of hands-on veterinary clinical experience.
• Emergency, Critical Care, ICU, Specialty, or high-volume veterinary hospital experience strongly preferred.
• California Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substance Permit (VACSP) required or must be obtained within 60 days of hire.
• Strong technical skills including venipuncture, IV catheter placement, patient monitoring, and laboratory sample collection.
• Experience supporting anesthesia and anesthetic monitoring preferred.
• Strong mathematical skills for medication dosages, CRIs, estimates, and invoices.
• Excellent patient handling, communication, organization, and critical-thinking abilities.
• Ability to remain calm and effective in a fast-paced emergency environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with emergency triage and provide hands-on support for critically ill and unstable patients.
• Monitor hospitalized, recovering, and fractious patients and communicate changes in condition promptly.
• Assist veterinarians and RVTs with diagnostics, treatments, emergency procedures, and patient stabilization.
• Perform venipuncture, IV catheter placement, laboratory sample collection, and other advanced technical skills within your scope.
• Assist with medications, IV fluids, CRIs, and oxygen therapy under appropriate supervision.
• Support radiographs, ultrasound, CT, MRI, and other diagnostic procedures.
• Assist with anesthesia monitoring, sedation, surgical preparation, and patient recovery.
• Support emergency procedures including CPR and other lifesaving interventions.
• Maintain accurate treatment documentation and electronic medical records.
• Communicate compassionately with clients and collaborate with Emergency, Critical Care, and Specialty teams.

Skills

Venipuncture

IV catheter placement

Patient monitoring

Laboratory sample collection

Anesthesia monitoring

Communication

Organization

Critical-thinking

Calm under pressure

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Senior Veterinary Assistant – Emergency

Up to $35/hr + $5.50/hour Shift Differential (6:00 PM–6:00 AM)
Up to $5,000 Sign-On Bonus
Full-time opportunity in San Francisco, California
Schedule: Full-time | Four 10-hour shifts

Bring your advanced technical skills to the Emergency & Critical Care team at SAGE San Francisco. As a Senior Veterinary Assistant, you'll provide hands‑on support for critically ill, injured, and hospitalized patients while working alongside emergency veterinarians, board‑certified specialists, Registered Veterinary Technicians, and an experienced clinical team.

This position is designed for a seasoned Veterinary Assistant with significant hands‑on clinical experience who wants to continue growing in emergency medicine, critical care, advanced diagnostics, anesthesia support, and specialty veterinary care.

Why Join SAGE San Francisco

SAGE San Francisco is one of Northern California's premier specialty and emergency veterinary hospitals. Our Emergency & Critical Care team manages an unpredictable and complex caseload, offering experienced Veterinary Assistants opportunities to strengthen their technical skills and gain exposure to advanced patient care.

You’ll work in a collaborative environment focused on mentorship, continuing education, skill development, and opportunities to advance your veterinary career.

In Your Day-to-Day, You Will

• Assist with emergency triage and provide hands‑on support for critically ill and unstable patients.
• Monitor hospitalized, recovering, and fractious patients and communicate changes in condition promptly.
• Assist veterinarians and RVTs with diagnostics, treatments, emergency procedures, and patient stabilization.
• Perform venipuncture, IV catheter placement, laboratory sample collection, and other advanced technical skills within your scope.
• Assist with medications, IV fluids, CRIs, and oxygen therapy under appropriate supervision.
• Support radiographs, ultrasound, CT, MRI, and other diagnostic procedures.
• Assist with anesthesia monitoring, sedation, surgical preparation, and patient recovery.
• Support emergency procedures including CPR and other lifesaving interventions.
• Maintain accurate treatment documentation and electronic medical records.
• Communicate compassionately with clients and collaborate with Emergency, Critical Care, and Specialty teams.

What You Bring

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 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 supporting anesthesia and anesthetic monitoring preferred.
• Strong mathematical skills for medication dosages, CRIs, estimates, and invoices.
• Excellent patient handling, communication, organization, and critical‑thinking abilities.
• Ability to remain calm and effective in a fast‑paced emergency environment.
• California Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substance Permit (VACSP) required or must be obtained within 60 days of hire.

Perks & Benefits

• Competitive compensation based on experience and demonstrated technical skill set
• Up to $5,000 sign‑on bonus for eligible Senior Veterinary Assistants
• $5.50/hour differential for eligible hours worked between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM
• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
• 401(k), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), paid vacation, and sick leave
• Annual Continuing Education (CE) allowance
• VetBloom RACE‑approved continuing education and monthly in‑house CE
• Educational and professional development support toward becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician
• Career milestone bonuses for earning your RVT or VTS credential
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), uniforms, and wellness resources
• 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 in hospitals designed for learning, collaboration, and clinical excellence.

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 help advance veterinary medicine—together.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ethos Veterinary Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, competence, merit, and business need.