Veterinary Assistant / Kennel Tech

Tustana Animal Hospital; Tustin (CA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Tuition support

VTNE exam fee reimbursement

Uniform allowance

Referral bonuses

Pet discounts

Job summary

Tustana Animal Hospital is seeking a Veterinary Assistant/Kennel Team Member in California. The role offers full-time hours and a hourly salary range of $19.00–$22.00, with benefits and opportunities for professional growth.

You’ll work with veterinarians and technicians, assist with medical care, support hospitalized patients, and help with front-desk duties when needed. The position emphasizes hands-on patient care, animal handling, teamwork, and ongoing development through CE allowances and

Qualifications

• Prior veterinary hospital, animal care, or kennel experience is required.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced veterinary environment.
• Willingness to learn, collaborate, and jump in wherever the team needs support.

Responsibilities

• Safely handle and restrain animals during examinations, treatments, and procedures.
• Assist veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians with patient care and medical treatments.
• Support clinical procedures, including medication administration, catheter placement, IV support, and surgical assistance.
• Monitor hospitalized patients and promptly communicate concerns to the medical team.
• Record accurate patient information and treatment notes in medical records.
• Assist with feeding, grooming, and general animal husbandry.
• Maintain a clean, organized, sanitary, and patient-ready hospital environment.
• Answer client questions and provide basic pet-care information.
• Schedule appointments and assist with front-desk operations.
• Process payments and provide friendly, professional customer service.

Skills

Vet hospital experience

Customer service

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Fast-paced environment

Tools

Vet software

Job description

Who we are:

Tustana Animal Hospital is Hiring a Veterinary Assistant/Kennel Team Member!

Position Details

Role: Veterinary Assistant/KennelStatus: Full-TimeSalary: $19.00–$22.00 per hourSchedule: 32- 40 hours per week; specific days and hours established during the interview process

Benefits Highlights

Financial Rewards that Grow with You: Competitive pay, 401(k) matching, tuition support, and referral bonuses.

Wellness & Peace of Mind: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with supplemental options; up to three weeks of paid parental leave; generous PTO; and employee pet discounts.

Professional Growth & Recognition: Quarterly team bonuses, continuing education allowance, state veterinary technician license reimbursement, VTNE exam fee reimbursement, professional development opportunities, and uniform allowance.

Lifestyle Perks You’ll Appreciate: Six paid holidays, an Employee Assistance Program, and an employee discount program.

Build Your Skills. Care for Pets. Make a Difference.

Are you passionate about animal health and happiest when you’re hands-on with patient care? Tustana Animal Hospital is looking for an enthusiastic and compassionate Veterinary Assistant/Kennel team member to join our growing practice.

This is a dynamic role where no two days look exactly the same. You’ll work alongside veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians, assist with medical care, support hospitalized patients, help maintain a clean and organized hospital, care for pets, and lend a hand with client service and front-desk responsibilities when needed.

If you enjoy staying busy, learning new skills, and being part of a team that cares deeply about its patients, you may be a great fit for Tustana.

Why Our Veterinary Assistants / Kennel Team members Love Working Here

• Gain hands-on experience across both veterinary assisting and animal-care responsibilities
• Work closely with veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians
• Continue developing your clinical knowledge and technical skills
• Make a meaningful difference for pets and the people who love them
• Join a supportive, collaborative, and team-oriented environment
• Work with a team that values compassion, accountability, growth, and excellent client service

What Our Veterinary Assistants / Kennel Team members Do

• Safely handle and restrain animals during examinations, treatments, and procedures
• Assist veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians with patient care and medical treatments
• Support clinical procedures, including medication administration, catheter placement, IV support, and surgical assistance
• Monitor hospitalized patients and promptly communicate concerns to the medical team
• Record accurate patient information and treatment notes in medical records
• Assist with feeding, grooming, and general animal husbandry
• Maintain a clean, organized, sanitary, and patient-ready hospital environment
• Answer client questions and provide basic pet-care information
• Schedule appointments and assist with front-desk operations
• Process payments and provide friendly, professional customer service

What You’ll Bring

• Prior veterinary hospital, animal care, or kennel experience is required
• Comfort safely handling and restraining dogs, cats, and other companion animals
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced veterinary environment
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills
• A compassionate approach to patient care
• Willingness to learn, collaborate, and jump in wherever the team needs support

Experience with veterinary terminology, anatomy, animal behavior, medication administration, catheter placement, surgical assistance, medical recordkeeping, or veterinary hospital software is a plus. Experience working with multiple species, including equine or other large animals, is also welcomed but not required.

The Extras You’ll Actually Feel

This role gives you the opportunity to experience multiple sides of veterinary medicine. One moment you may be helping with a patient treatment or monitoring a hospitalized pet, and the next you may be caring for an animal in the kennel or helping a client at the front desk.

That variety creates opportunities to build your skills while seeing firsthand how every part of the hospital works together to deliver exceptional care. At Tustana Animal Hospital, you’ll have meaningful work, opportunities to grow, and a team that understands the importance of supporting one another.

Benefits You Can’t Beat

Benefit eligibility may vary based on full-time or part-time status. Benefits designated as full-time only are subject to eligibility requirements.

Financial Benefits

• A flexible approach to compensation that reflects your skill set and future performance
• 401(k) matching & Roth Retirement Savings Plan
• Flexible Spending Account (full-time only)
• 529 Savings Plan
• Tuition Support Program (full-time only)
• Referral bonus program

Wellness Benefits

• Health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision (full-time only)
• Supplemental insurance, including accident, critical illness, hospital, short- and long-term disability, legal plan, and employee, spouse, and child-dependent life insurance (full-time only)
• Up to three weeks of full pay for the birth or adoption of a child (full-time employees only; available after one year of service). In states with paid family leave programs, this benefit does not apply.
• Sick Time / Paid Time Off
• Free or discounted lab work for all employee pets
• Pet discounts on services and products
• Pet food discount program

Workplace Benefits

• Quarterly Team Rewards Bonus Program
• State veterinary technician license reimbursement
• VTNE exam fee reimbursement
• Professional development opportunities
• Continuing education allowance
• Uniform allowance

Lifestyle Benefits

• Six paid holidays (full-time only)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discount program

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values at Tustana Animal Hospital and Vetcor. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working and learning environment for all employees. Every team member enriches our diversity by bringing different perspectives and ways of understanding and engaging with the world. That’s why we’re committed to a workplace culture where employees are comfortable being their authentic selves, experience a true sense of belonging, and are empowered to reach their highest potential.