Veterinary Assistant - Emergency

VCA Animal Specialty & Emergency Center is a high-volume, AAHA-accredited, referral and critical care hospital located in West Los Angeles.

About the role

We are currently looking for an ER Assistant to join our Emergency & Critical Care team. As one of LA's leading 24-hour specialty animal care centers for over 30 years, VCA ASEC has 6 specialties and roughly 200 associates. As a teaching hospital, we host externs, interns, and residents every year, striving to maintain a positive and supportive learning environment while keeping our medicine and techniques ahead of the curve.

Our Emergency & Critical Care department is equipped to provide 24/7 care to incoming critical and non-critical emergencies, transfers from referring veterinarians, and hospitalized patients from our own specialty services.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care to both stable and critical hospitalized patients
• Triage and stabilize incoming emergencies
• Provide treatment to outpatients
• Assist with basic anesthetic procedures
• Maintain a clean and stocked treatment area

Requirements

• Minimum of 3 years of current experience in veterinary medicine
• Emergency experience is a plus but not required
• Valid California Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substances Permit (CA VACSP) for unlicensed veterinary assistants
• General knowledge of veterinary medicine
• Small animal restraint and handling
• Both basic and advanced veterinary nursing care
• Medication administration (all routes)
• Phlebotomy and IV catheterization
• Lab sample handling
• Anesthesia prep and monitoring
• Basic radiography
• Triage and stabilization of a variety of emergency cases

Schedule

24/7 Emergency & Critical Care team with a variety of schedules available:

• Full-time employees work “4 x 10s” (four 10-hour shifts per week)
• Overnight positions are available
• All schedules include working one weekend day

A pay differential is applied to all overnight hours worked, with an additional differential for full-time overnight team members.

Pay

$26 - 42 per hour, dependent on education, experience, credentials, location, schedule, and additional responsibilities.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid vacation and sick days
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Generous employee pet discounts

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