Veterinary Medical Assistant

Job summary

The Veterinary Medical Assistant provides essential care for animals by performing daily rounds, assisting with medical treatments, and supporting surgical procedures. They are also responsible for maintaining cleanliness in medical areas and ensuring compliance with disease management protocols.

Job details

Veterinary Medical Assistant Full-Time Permanent ABOUT US The Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) has been serving Edmonton and area since 1907, dedicated to helping people and pets thrive, together. As a leader in animal welfare, we go beyond sheltering homeless animals — shaping a community that values the human-animal bond through advocacy, education, and accessible support services. THE ROLE The Veterinary Medical Assistant (VMA) provides essential care for the animals at the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS). This role involves performing daily rounds, assisting with medical treatments and surgeries, maintaining cleanliness in medical areas, and ensuring all animals receive humane and high-quality care. KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES Daily Duties • Conduct rounds, ensuring animals’ needs are met, and entering care requests as needed. • Follow OHS and EHS policies, including disease management protocols. • Collaborate with Animal Care, Client Relations, and Behavior teams. • Assist with incoming animal exams, treatments, and movement to kennels. • Support RVTs in daily tasks, including weight checks, deworming, and medication rounds. • Assist with euthanasia procedures. • Maintain cleanliness in all medical areas using deep clean checklists. Surgery Assistance • Conduct sterilization of surgical instruments, gowns, and towels. • Assist with animal restraint during premedication and induction for surgery. • Transport animals to and from surgical suites. • Maintain and clean all surgical areas and kennels. • Input surgery data into electronic files and prepare animals for fasting. Other Duties as Assigned • Assist RVTs with foster appointments. • Ensure proper movement of animals while adhering to disease management protocols. • Perform additional tasks as directed by the Supervisor, Team Leads, or Veterinarians. EDUCATION & REQUIREMENTS • High School Diploma or equivalent. • Veterinary Medical Assistant Certificate (preferred). • Experience working with animals, particularly in medical settings. • Proficiency with computer software. SKILLS & ABILITIES The ideal candidate will possess advanced knowledge of companion animals, along with strong verbal and written communication skills necessary for accurate medical reporting. They should demonstrate exceptional organizational and time management abilities, coupled with a genuine interest in animal welfare and compassion for animals in need. The ability to work effectively under pressure, adapt to shifting priorities, and maintain focus is essential. Additionally, the candidate must excel both as a team player and an independent worker while upholding a strong commitment to biosecurity and safe handling practices. WHAT WE OFFER Joining EHS means becoming part of a compassionate and dedicated team working toward a more humane community. You’ll be surrounded by passionate professionals who care deeply about what they do — for animals, for people, and for each other. At EHS, we offer more than just a job — we offer meaningful work, growth opportunities and a supportive environment where you can thrive. Why You’ll Love Working Here • Meaningful work that makes a tangible impact in our community • Supportive leadership and a collaborative, inclusive culture • Opportunities for growth, learning, and professional development • A strong focus on employee well-being and work–life balance Compensation & Benefits The Veterinary Medical Assistant role is classified in Pay Band 3, with a pay range of $ 23.01 –$28.87 per hour, commensurate with the successful candidate’s education and experience. OUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION & SAFETY The Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) was founded on the principles of creating positive change in our community. Our hiring practices embrace compassion, support for our staff and volunteers, and our role as a community leader. We believe that a culture of belonging — where people’s unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued and respected — strengthens our ability to serve both animals and people. Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and reconciliation helps us support pet guardians facing access-to-care challenges, strengthen the human-animal bond, and build a more compassionate, engaged, and inclusive society. EHS is also a COR-certified employer, recognized by Alberta’s Certificate of Recognition program for maintaining the highest standards of health and safety for our staff, volunteers and the animals in our care.

What you’ll do

The Veterinary Medical Assistant provides essential care for animals by performing daily rounds, assisting with medical treatments, and supporting surgical procedures. They are also responsible for maintaining cleanliness in medical areas and ensuring compliance with disease management protocols.

Requirements

Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent, with a Veterinary Medical Assistant Certificate preferred. Experience working with animals in a medical setting and proficiency with computer software are required.

Benefits

• Professional development • Growth opportunities • Supportive environment

Listed skills

• Time management · Preferred
• Teamwork · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• Data entry · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Animal care
• Surgical assistance
• Medical reporting
• Animal restraint
• Sterilization
• Time management
• Communication
• Biosecurity
• Safe handling
• Data entry
• Disease management
• Teamwork
• Safe Restraining Techniques (Veterinary)
• Community Leadership
• Animal Care
• Support Services
• Animal Welfare
• Advocacy
• Compassion
• Microsoft Excel
• Reconciliation
• Cleanliness
• Deworming
• Leadership
• Medical Assistance
• Surgery
• Surgical Instruments
• Time Management
• Disease Management
• Environment Health And Safety

Job areas

• Healthcare
• Social Services
• Administrative
• Veterinary Assistant
• Veterinary Technicians and Assistants
• Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers