Veterinary Assistant - Surgery

Veritas Veterinary Partners; Aliso Viejo (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, and life

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and sick pay

Continuing education opportunities

Career development

Employee referral program

Wellness resources

Job summary

Veritas Veterinary Partners is seeking a Surgical Veterinary Assistant to support the surgical team in fast-paced facilities across the United States. You will prepare patients for procedures, assist with anesthesia, and help maintain sterile operating rooms while collaborating with surgeons and technicians.

Strong candidates have veterinary hospital experience, can safely restrain canine and feline patients, and excel in teamwork and detail-oriented tasks.

Qualifications

• Experience in veterinary surgery, ER, or specialty settings preferred.
• Ability to safely restrain canine and feline patients.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced surgical environment and following aseptic technique.

Responsibilities

• Restrain and handle patients.
• Prepare surgical patients and maintain OR setup between procedures.
• Sterilize and organize instruments; support anesthesia induction and monitoring.
• Monitor patient recovery and assist veterinarians and technicians during procedures.

Skills

Surgical patient preparation

Animal restraint

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Aseptic technique

Multitasking

Professionalism under pressure

Patient safety

Education

Veterinary assistant experience

Tools

Anesthesia monitoring equipment

Job description

World Class Medicine.
Purpose-Driven Partnership.

Veritas Veterinary Partners offer exciting career opportunities in state-of-the-art facilities across the U.S. Our hospitals are staffed by board-certified specialists, create a collaborative environment where you can work alongside like-minded, caring professionals. If you're passionate about veterinary medicine, this is your chance to thrive in a dynamic, high-quality setting.

At Veritas Veterinary Partners, our mission is to build a network of trust and opportunity for veterinary professionals nationwide. We specialize in supporting Specialty and Emergency care hospitals, aligning with your unique goals and medical standards. Veritas, founded by Thomas Scavelli, DVM, DACVS, is dedicated to recruiting top-tier talent and fostering collaboration within our community. With a focus on exceptional care, we bring together highly trained veterinarians, technicians, and teammates committed to our patients’ well-being.

We believe in Truth in Medicine and Trust in Partnerships, ensuring we always provide the highest standard of care. Come join us and make a meaningful impact on the community you serve.

This is a hands-on, fast-paced role for someone who is passionate about surgical patient care and enjoys working closely with surgeons, technicians, and anesthesiology teams. The Surgery Veterinary Assistant plays a vital role in preparing patients for procedures, supporting the surgical team throughout the day, and ensuring patients receive exceptional care before, during, and after surgery.

Responsibilities include patient restraint and handling, surgical patient preparation, operating room setup and maintenance, instrument cleaning and sterilization, anesthesia support, patient recovery monitoring, and assisting veterinary technicians and doctors with surgical procedures and treatments.

Strong candidates will be organized, detail-oriented, and thrive in a structured environment where patient safety and efficiency are top priorities. Previous veterinary experience is preferred, especially in surgery, emergency, or specialty medicine, but we value a strong work ethic, reliability, and a willingness to learn advanced surgical skills in a collaborative environment.

Skills & Qualifications – Veterinary Assistant Surgery

Required / Preferred

• Veterinary hospital experience preferred (surgery, ER, or specialty experience a plus)
• Experience handling and restraining canine and feline patients safely
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced surgical environment
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Basic understanding of surgical preparation, aseptic technique, and hospital workflow
• Ability to follow detailed instructions and work independently when needed
• Commitment to maintaining patient safety and surgical standards

Key Skills

• Surgical patient preparation, including clipping and surgical site preparation
• Assisting technicians with anesthesia induction, monitoring, and patient recovery
• Knowledge of instrument handling, cleaning, packaging, and sterilization procedures
• Ability to prepare and maintain operating rooms between procedures
• Strong attention to detail and adherence to aseptic technique
• Excellent multitasking and prioritization skills in a busy surgical service
• Professionalism in high-pressure situations
• Dedication to providing exceptional patient care throughout the surgical process

Salary & Schedule

• $20.00 - $23.00/hr, based on experience

Schedule

• Four 10-hour shifts
• Day shift; possibility of swing shifts based on department needs

We are committed to supporting the wellbeing, growth, and long-term success of our team:

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options
• 401(k) with company match
• Employer-paid basic life insurance with optional add-on policies
• Paid time off and sick pay
• Continuing education opportunities
• Career development and advancement within specialty departments
• Employee referral bonus program
• Employee discounts and insurance perks
• Mental health and wellness support resources (including Talkspace)

Location

Base Pay

$20 - $23 USD

Veritas Veterinary Partners is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the requirements of all applicable federal, state and local laws, we welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace regardless of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other legally protected status. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. All current positions require the ability to speak, read, and write English proficiently. Additional fluency in other languages is preferred but not required.