Veterinary Assistant in Carlsbad, California

Why we love VCA CVS Carlsbad:

• Small hospital feel with big company support

• Competitive compensation ($18-$20, hourly)

• Generous employee pet discounts

• Flexible Schedules

• Great coastal community location close to the beach, food options, fitness centers and shopping

• Monthly hospital-wide activities & games, raffles, with awesome prizes

• Access to “Perkspot”- receive coupons and discounts for anything you can imagine

• We value your voice and regularly implement suggested changes from our suggestion box

• Join various hospital committees or VCA Diversity Resource Groups to further enrich your experience and involvement in the hospital & company

• In-hospital, fresh food micro-market always stocked with ever-changing array of food and drink options

• Sweet & Savory Stop – get your fix with international snacks and treats

• Referral rewards – tell your friends why they should come work for here too and if they do, receive a referral bonus

• Supportive, multi-faceted, educational training program

• We are focused on your career growth; we empower you with all the knowledge and skill you need to be successful

• Opportunities to get out into the community and participate in local events

• Something new every day – you’ll never be bored

• Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance

• 401K w/ company match

• HSA/FSA options

• Paid Holidays

• Vacation & Sick time off

Position Overview: We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Veterinary Assistant to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will support our veterinarians and technicians in delivering top-notch care to critically ill and injured pets. If you thrive in a high-energy environment and have a passion for making a difference in the lives of animals and their owners, we want to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians in all aspects of patient care, including emergency procedures and specialty treatments.

• Prepare and maintain examination and treatment areas, ensuring they are clean and stocked.

• Perform routine tasks such as taking patient histories, administering medications, and preparing samples for laboratory tests.

• Monitor patients before, during, and after procedures, ensuring their comfort and well-being.

• Educate pet owners on post-procedure care and provide them with detailed instructions and support.

• Handle medical and surgical instruments with care, adhering to sterilization and safety protocols.

• Collaborate with team members to manage and prioritize a busy caseload efficiently.

Qualifications:

• Previous experience as a Veterinary Assistant or in a related field is highly preferred, but we are very open to training the right candidate with our comprehensive training plans.

• Strong knowledge of veterinary procedures, medical terminology, and animal care.

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to interact compassionately with pet owners and team members.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment while maintaining a positive attitude.

• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.

• Ability to lift and carry heavy loads and stand for extended periods.

• Flexibility to work various shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

Benefits:

• At VCA, your passion for medicine and compassion for pets and people is matched with a commitment to your professional growth.

• You will enjoy exposure to a diverse and stimulating caseload, employ the most advanced imaging and monitoring tools, and tap into the expertise of more than 4,500 doctors, including 600+ boarded specialists.

• You will sharpen your skills—and even learn some new techniques—and explore career options that only VCA can offer, such as continuing education, transfer, specialization, and leadership opportunities.

• VCA Animal Hospitals offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including Medical/Dental/Vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, pet care discounts, paid vacation, holidays and sick days, health and well-being programs that provide resources and training. Compensation is negotiable based on education, experience, and other relevant credentials. The pay range for this position is $18 to $21 per hour.

If you are a current associate, you will need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs.

Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!

The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development)

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer – Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com