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Veterinary Assistant Job Description

VCA Urgent Care Mar Vista

12108 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066

(310) 558-5121 | vcahospitals.com/urgent-care-marvista

Reports To: Hospital Manager | Lead | Veterinarian

Practice Type: Urgent Care (Walk-in and Virtual Waiting Room)

Job Summary

Veterinary Assistants at VCA Urgent Care Mar Vista are essential members of the hospital team who support our veterinarians and care team in delivering compassionate, efficient, and high-quality medical care. They serve as the primary medical support staff and help maintain smooth patient flow—whether patients arrive as walk-ins or via our Virtual Waiting Room (VWR) system. Veterinary Assistants aid in clinical procedures, patient monitoring, client communication, and hospital upkeep. This role requires adaptability, teamwork, and strong communication in a fast-paced urgent care setting.

Key Responsibilities

Client & Virtual Waiting Room Support

- At the beginning of each shift, review the Virtual Waiting Room (VWR) to identify clients on the waitlist. - Call clients in the VWR to verify contact information, retrieve visit details, and confirm readiness to arrive. - Assist the Care Concierge in maintaining accurate records in the VWR. - Upon check-in, retrieve current and prior medical history for the attending veterinarian. - Communicate with clients professionally and empathetically, keeping them informed of wait times if needed.

Patient Care & Clinical Support

- Safely handle and restrain patients for exams and treatments. - Collect samples and prepare them for testing. - Assist veterinarians and technicians with treatments, radiology, and surgery prep. - Monitor and record hospitalized or recovering patients. - Perform nail trims, weight checks, suture removals, and prepare medications under doctor supervision.

Scribing & Documentation

- Support veterinarians by scribing during patient exams. - Enter treatment notes and updates into the hospital system. - Record patient vitals and treatment plans.

- Document all client communication in the live “Communication Log” to support care continuity and regulatory requirements.

Hospital & Equipment Maintenance

- Maintain clean and organized exam rooms and treatment areas. - Assist with sterilization and autoclaving of instruments. - Ensure adequate stock of supplies. - Report any facility or equipment issues to management.

Team & Culture

- Collaborate with Care Concierge, Assistants, Leads, and Veterinarians to ensure smooth flow. - Participate in team huddles/meetings to align on priorities. - Maintain a positive and proactive attitude. - Uphold VCA’s standards of communication and patient care.

Qualifications

- High school diploma or equivalent required. - Veterinary Assistant certification or prior experience preferred. - Minimum 18 years of age. - Ability to lift up to 40 lbs. - Strong multitasking and communication skills. - Comfortable in a fast-paced urgent care environment.

Physical & Working Conditions

- Frequent standing, walking, bending, and lifting. - Exposure to animal allergens, odors, and potential zoonotic diseases. - Must handle animals that may be fearful, painful, or reactive. - Occasional weekend, evening, or holiday shifts required.

Success Traits

- Compassionate and calm under pressure. - Detail-oriented and efficient. - Excellent communicator with clients and teammates. - Dedicated to maintaining a clean and safe environment. - Committed to providing gold-standard care for every patient.

**Pay Range:** $20–$24 per hour, dependent on experience

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