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Veterinary Assistant - Emergency

VCA Animal Hospitals

Carlsbad, CAJob$18–22/hrSeen 1 day agoSeen in employer's feed 1 day ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$18–22/hr
Location
Carlsbad, CA
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Job overview

VCA California Veterinary Specialist is seeking a Veterinary Assistant for its Emergency Department in Carlsbad. The assistant supports veterinarians and veterinary technicians with patient care, emergency procedures, and specialty treatments, while helping maintain treatment areas and monitor patients. The role includes educating pet owners and collaborating with the care team. Previous experience as a Veterinary Assistant or in a related field is required.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Veterinary ProceduresMedical TerminologyAnimal CareCommunicationCompassionate InteractionWorking Under PressureAttention to DetailOrganizationLifting and CarryingProlonged Standing

Qualifications

Veterinary Assistant or Related Experience

Benefits

Medical Insurance
Vision Insurance
Dental Insurance
401(k) Match
Paid Time Off

Full job description

VCA California Veterinary Specialist is seeking a Veterinary Assistant for the Emergency Department.

Location: 2310 Faraday Ave, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Why we love VCA CVS Carlsbad:

  • Small hospital feel with big company support

  • Competitive compensation ($18-$22 per hour), shift differential: $3/hour depending on shift.

  • 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 enrich your experience and involvement in the hospital & company

  • In-hospital, fresh food micro-market always stocked with an 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 work for us too! And if they do, receive a referral bonus for qualified candidates.

  • Supportive, multi-faceted, educational training program

  • We are focused on your career growth; we empower you with all the knowledge and skills 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

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 required.

  • 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.

Apply Today!

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

How this job compares

Set against the 966 open Veterinary Assistant jobs on Olive Jobs, counted October 30, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$18–22/hr
  • California median$20–26/hr137 hourly ranges
  • US median$18–22/hr852 hourly ranges

This range's midpoint, $20/hr, is 15% below the California median midpoint ($23/hr) — in the lowest quarter of Veterinary Assistant hourly ranges in California.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 145 open Veterinary Assistant jobs in California and 966 across the US. None of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in California
Experience
Veterinary Assistant postings that state a minimum ask for 1 year of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 1 to 2 years (275 postings).
Education
2 of the 966 open Veterinary Assistant jobs (under 1%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on October 30, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

You've read the whole posting — now see how you match it.