Veterinary Assistant - Urgent Care

NVA; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

401(k)

Health Savings Account

Paid time off

Employee discounts

Allowances

Job summary

National Veterinary Associates (NVA) is seeking a Veterinary Technician in California. The role supports veterinarians with exams, anesthesia, radiographs, medications, and routine dental work, delivering high-quality care across the hospital team.

Candidates must be certified RVT or licensed, with strong communication, the ability to handle difficult animals, and a commitment to ongoing professional growth.

Qualifications

• Certification as a Veterinary Technician or RVT license. If unlicensed technician will need to complete additional training protocols in first 90 days and obtain VACSP within first 30 days.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively and efficiently in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to effectively handle and control aggressive animals.
• Must be able to handle the physical and emotional aspect of work in a veterinary clinic environment, including the use of euthanasia.
• Models a professional and courteous manner with staff and clients.
• Commitment to ongoing educational development and growth.
• Must have active listening, critical thinking, complex problem solving, time management, judgment and decision making skills.

Responsibilities

• Assists the veterinarian during examination of animals, providing restraint as needed.
• Prepares and administer medications, vaccines, serums, and treatments per the veterinarian.
• Performs routine dental cleanings on animals under the direction of the veterinarian.
• Administrates anesthesia to animals and monitors responses.
• Obtains radiographs of animals with proper positioning and techniques.
• Cares for and monitors animals recovering from surgery.
• Performs laboratory tests on blood, urine, and feces to assist diagnosis.
• Administers emergency first aid and resuscitation as needed.
• Collects, prepares, and labels samples for testing.
• Completes skin and ear cytology slide assessments in house.
• Completes bandages and splint applications under supervision.
• Cleans and sterilizes instruments, equipment, and materials.
• Provides the veterinarian with the correct equipment and instruments.
• Fills prescriptions, measures medications and labels containers.
• Prepares animals for surgery, shaving areas and placing IV catheters.
• Maintains clean examination rooms and treatment areas.
• Works collaboratively with veterinarians to ensure animals are cared for properly.
• Shared schedule of holidays to care for patients as needed.
• Participate weekly to monthly in care of patients after hours on an as needed basis.
• Assists with all wellness plan care.
• Assists with emergency care.
• Routine weekend shifts.
• Holiday Shifts.

Skills

RVT license

Communication skills

Handling aggressive animals

Professional demeanor

Ongoing education

Active listening / problem solving

Time management

Job description

Job Summary

In addition to the responsibilities outlined below, the Veterinary Technician is an invaluable member of the hospital team who works directly with the Veterinary Technician and supporting medical staff to ensure productive and quality veterinary care at all times. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Job Responsibilities

• Assists the veterinarian during examination of animals, providing restraint as needed in order to work safely and effectively.
• Prepares and administer medications, vaccines, serums, and treatments, as prescribed by the veterinarian.
• Performs routine dental cleanings on animals under the direction of the veterinarian. (RVTs)
• Administers anesthesia to animals under the direction of the veterinarian and monitors animals’ responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
• Obtains radiographs of animals with knowledge of proper positioning and techniques.
• Cares for and monitors the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
• Performs laboratory tests on blood, urine, and feces, such as urinalyses and blood counts, to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.
• Administers emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life‑saving procedures to patients.
• Collects, prepares, and labels samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.
• Completes skin and ear cytology slide assessments in house.
• Completes bandages and splint applications under supervision of DVM.
• Cleans and sterilizes instruments, equipment, and materials.
• Provides the veterinarian with the correct equipment and instruments, as needed.
• Fills prescriptions, measuring medications and labeling containers.
• Prepares animals for surgery, performing such tasks as shaving surgical areas and placing IV catheters.
• Maintains clean examination rooms and treatment areas.
• Works collaboratively with veterinarians to ensure that all animals are being cared for properly and moving through the system efficiently.
• Shared schedule of holidays to care for patients as needed.
• Participate weekly to monthly in care of patients after hours on an as needed basis in need of hospitalization.
• Assists with all wellness plan care.
• Assists with emergency care.
• Routine weekend shifts.
• Holiday Shifts.

Skills and Basic Qualifications

• Certification as a Veterinary Technician or RVT license. If unlicensed technician will need to complete additional training protocols in first 90 days and obtain VACSP within first 30 days.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively and efficiently in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to effectively handle and control aggressive animals.
• Must be able to handle the physical and emotional aspect of work in a veterinary clinic environment, including the use of euthanasia.
• Models a professional and courteous manner with staff and clients.
• Commitment to ongoing educational development and growth.
• Must have active listening, critical thinking, complex problem solving, time management, judgment and decision making skills.

• Compensation
  • Base hourly rate of $18.00-$21.00 DOE
• Benefits:
  • Medical, Vision, Dental insurance
  • 401(k)
  • Health Savings Account
  • Paid time off
  • Employee discounts
  • Allowances

National Veterinary Associates (NVA) is a leading North American pet health care company with nearly 1,300 locations spanning general practice veterinary hospitals, Ethos emergency and specialty hospitals, and pet resorts and equine veterinary care. With approximately 40,000 team members, we care for pets and support pet families in communities across the United States and Canada. Our purpose is to give pets and the people who love them more quality years together, and our mission is to make care more personal, easy and accessible while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life. Across NVA, we support our teams with the resources, expertise and opportunities they need to deliver exceptional care and help shape the future of veterinary and pet care.

Purpose: Give pets and the people who love them more quality years together

Mission: Transform the pet family experience to be personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life.

Values: Care Deeply, Do What’s Right, One Team, Own It, Shape What’s Next

One NVA: Bringing General Practice & Ethos Together

NVA is built to make care personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine across every stage of a pet’s life.

At National Veterinary Associates, we want to make sure your experience connecting with us is seamless and straightforward. Here’s what to expect when interacting with us:

NVA offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, a 401k with employer match, and paid time off (including sick time) for all eligible employees. The team can provide more information about compensation and benefits for your specific location during the process. For positions based in Colorado, NVA provides eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave and public health emergency leave in accordance with the requirements of Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.

NVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.