Veterinary Assistant, ICU/Treatment

Location: Ottawa, ON

Compensation: $17.85 to $25.00 per hour, depending on experience

Employment Type: Full-time

Position Type: Existing position

We offer 24-hour emergency and critical care services in our critical care unit at the Alta Vista Specialty & Emergency hospital. We have some board-certified specialists on staff providing services such as surgery, ophthalmology, anesthesia, critical care, neurology, internal medicine, dentistry and behaviour.

The Veterinary Assistant, ICU/Treatment, is a full-time position. Hours of work will vary by week, with a mixture of evenings, overnights, and weekends. This position reports directly to the treatment/ICU department manager,

As a key player in a team environment, the Veterinary Assistant is responsible for the following:

• Assessment, triage, and care of ill patients
• Hourly treatments including feeding, administering medications, assessing pain/status, restraint, and lifting;
• Assisting with anesthetics, X-rays, and laboratory work;
• Stocking, cleaning, and maintenance of treatment areas;
• Provide lunch/dinner/break coverage for various departments;
• Math calculations
• Client updates

Qualifications & Skills:

• Fluent in English (Reading, Writing and Oral)
• Able to lift up to 25 kg
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks/ projects
• Ability to maintain composure in stressful and emergency situations
• Proven ability to organize, take initiative, work independently, exhibit decision-making skills and exercise good judgment
• Exhibits a positive attitude and uses courtesy, diplomacy and discretion; and,
• Maintains professional ethics and confidentiality.

What VCA Canada Offers

• RRSP Employer 5 % Match Program – saving for your future just got easier!
• VCA Canada Student Loan RRSP Program – Ask us more!
• Medical Library; 2000+ journals, 600+ textbooks, research, and more at your fingertips!
• Flexible schedules!
• Competitive wages and benefits!
• Opportunity to apply for a Veterinary Technician/Technologist scholarship (annual process)
• Annual uniform allowance
• Exceptional career development: there is room to grow here!
• Referral Bonus Rewards
• Opportunities to give back to your community through VCA initiatives
• Generous personal pet care discounts
• And extra perks like shopping discounts and cool wellness apps!

Our Story

VCA Canada is a network of veterinary hospitals, with our head office in Calgary, Alberta, committed to positively impacting pets, people, and local communities for nearly 45 years. We have compassion for the neighbourhoods we serve and every pet within them, not just those we see in our hospitals. Every VCA Canada hospital location takes pride in its legacy of excellence, earning the trust of pet owners by delivering the highest quality of medicine to keep pets happy and healthy.

In 2017, VCA Canada became part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of brands, solidifying an even stronger commitment to ensuring the strength and stability of the veterinary profession and our commitment to pet parents nationwide. VCA Canada is also passionate about providing an industry-leading Associate experience to over 4,000 Canadians employed across the country. In 2026, for the third year in a row, we were named one of Alberta's Top Employers, which recognizes organizations whose head offices are located within the province and lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work. Additionally, we were selected as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People 2026, which recognizes employers across Canada that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work and programs for young people starting their careers.

Click “Apply Now”

VCA Canada is committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. If you require any assistance, please let us know.

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.