Veterinary Assistant

Location: Vancouver, BC

Department: Critical Care & ICU

Position: Regular Full-Time

Compensation: $22 to $25 per hour, depending on experience

We are seeking a highly motivated, detail-oriented Veterinary Assistant to join our Critical Care team. In this role, you will work directly alongside our Veterinary Critical Care Specialist to manage a fast-paced morning caseload, ensuring our most vulnerable patients receive precise, high-level care.

Key Responsibilities:

• Morning Rounds & Patient Evaluation
• Prioritize assisting the Specialist during morning evaluations of ICU patients.
• Record physical exam findings, monitoring parameters, and patient trends.
• Update and organize digital treatment sheets based on the Specialist’s updated orders.
• Helping with triage and assistance in the ER when Critical Care responsibilities are not required.
• Clinical Diagnostics & Procedures
• Perform venipuncture sampling for diagnostics under the supervision and direction of a Criticalist.
• Run in-house lab work (CBC, Chemistry, Coagulation profiles, Blood Gas analysis).
• Assist technicians and other team members with advanced imaging, including positioning for digital radiography and ensuring patients are prepared for ultrasound or CT.
• Manage patient stabilization during minor bedside procedures.
• Administrative & Workflow Support
• Data Management: Promptly upload all diagnostic results and images into the Practice Management Software to ensure real-time medical record accuracy.
• Treatment Planning: Draft new treatment plans and cost estimates as cases evolve.
• Financial Communication: Contact families to provide clinical updates and request additional deposits or "top-ups" as treatment plans change or care is extended.

Key attributes:

• Exceptional client service skills
• Compassion and a nurturing attitude
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• Ability to adapt to changing situations
• Efficient in carrying out assignments independently
• Takes initiative to complete tasks throughout the day

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Critical Thinking: The ability to notice subtle changes in patient status and anticipate the Specialist’s next move.
• Technical Proficiency: Skilled in restraint for fragile patients, blood draws, and basic lab equipment management.
• Communication: Comfortable and empathetic when discussing financial matters and medical updates with pet owners in high-stress situations.
• Organization: A "clean as you go" mentality and the ability to manage multiple high-priority tasks simultaneously.

What We Can Offer You!

• A caring culture ofWellness and Appreciation! -RRSP Employer 5 % Match Program– saving for your future just got easier!
• Competitive wages and benefits!
• Annual uniform allowance
• Exceptional career development: there is room to grow here!
• Employee Assistance Program
• 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.