Veterinary Assistant - Part-Time

Thrive Pet Healthcare; Mission Viejo (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Continuing education opportunities

Career advancement pathways

Employee pet care discounts

Team culture and collaboration

Emergency care skill growth

Job summary

Thrive Pet Healthcare's Animal Emergency of South Orange County in Mission Viejo is seeking a Part-Time Veterinary Assistant or Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) to join our emergency team. This fast-paced role supports veterinarians, maintains patient flow, and delivers compassionate care to dogs, cats, and exotic patients.

The ideal candidate has at least 1 year of experience, works well under pressure, and communicates clearly with clients.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of experience as a Veterinary Assistant or Veterinary Technician.
• Emergency or urgent care experience preferred.
• RECOVER CPR certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support veterinarians in providing high-quality patient care and client education.
• Assist with patient flow and clinic efficiency.
• Provide nursing care and monitor hospitalized and emergency patients.
• Maintain accurate medical records in hospital software.

Skills

Veterinary care

Communication

Multitasking

Education

RVT license (preferred)

Tools

Hospital software

Job description

Part-Time Veterinary Assistant / Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) - Emergency Hospital

Mission Viejo, CA

Who We Are

Animal Emergency of South Orange County (AESOC), formerly Animal Urgent Care of South Orange County, is a fully equipped 24/7/365 emergency veterinary hospital dedicated to providing exceptional care when pets need it most.

We provide emergency and critical care services for dogs and cats, as well as supportive care for exotic species. We are also proud partners of Mission Viejo Animal Services, assisting in the medical care of local wildlife in need.

At AESOC, we practice collaborative, progressive medicine in a fast-paced and supportive environment. As part of the Thrive Pet Healthcare network, we are backed by a national community committed to medical excellence, continuous learning, and professional growth.

At Thrive Pet Healthcare, we celebrate and embrace the uniqueness and diversity of our team members, pet parents, and patients. We strive to create a culture where everyone feels welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed.

Why AESOC?

• Emergency medicine in a collaborative team environment
• Opportunities to work with dogs, cats, wildlife, and supportive exotic cases
• Structured training and advancement through our clinical badge-level program
• Access to Thrive Pet Healthcare's nationwide learning and development resources
• Supportive leadership committed to mentorship and career growth
• Modern equipment and progressive emergency medicine practices
• A culture focused on teamwork, communication, and patient advocacy

Position Overview

We are seeking a Part-Time Veterinary Assistants and/or Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) to join our emergency team.

The ideal candidate is passionate about emergency medicine, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is committed to delivering exceptional patient care and client service. This individual works well under pressure, communicates effectively, and enjoys being part of a collaborative medical team.

Essential Responsibilities

• Support veterinarians in providing high-quality patient care and client education.
• Assist the medical team in maintaining efficient patient flow and maximizing productivity.
• Perform treatments, diagnostics, procedures, and surgical support in accordance with California Veterinary Practice Act guidelines.
• Obtain accurate patient histories and communicate effectively with clients regarding individualized patient care plans.
• Monitor hospitalized and emergency patients, providing nursing care and reporting changes in condition.
• Assist with emergency triage and patient assessments.
• Maintain accurate and complete medical records using hospital software systems.
• Safely restrain patients and follow established safety protocols.
• Maintain clean, organized, and sanitary treatment, laboratory, and exam areas.
• Support and mentor fellow team members while fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Uphold hospital standards for patient care, client service, and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of experience as a Veterinary Assistant or Veterinary Technician required.
• Emergency or urgent care experience strongly preferred.
• Current RVT license preferred but not required.
• RECOVER CPR certification is a plus.
• Strong technical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Excellent customer service skills and professionalism.
• Ability to multitask and remain calm in a fast-paced emergency setting.
• Passion for patient advocacy and high-quality medicine.
• Self-motivated with strong attention to detail and willingness to learn.

Compensation

$25.00 - $35.00 per hour

Compensation is based on experience, technical skill assessment done at onsite interview, and placement within our clinical training and development program.

Shift Differentials

All eligible clinical team members qualify for differential pay:

• Overnight Differential: Additional $2.00/hour for hours worked between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM.
• Weekend Differential: Additional $3.00/hour for hours worked between Friday at 6:00 PM and Monday at 8:00 AM.
• Differentials stack when applicable.

Available Shift:

Swing PM shift 6:30pm to 2:30am

Sun/Mon/Tue

Benefits & Perks

As part of Thrive Pet Healthcare, team members have access to a variety of resources and growth opportunities, including:

• Professional development and continuing education opportunities
• Access to Thrive Learning and Development programs
• Career advancement pathways
• Employee pet care discounts
• Supportive and collaborative team culture
• Opportunities to expand emergency and critical care skills

Join Our Team

If you're passionate about emergency medicine, enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, and want to continue growing your clinical skills alongside an experienced and supportive team, we'd love to meet you.