Veterinary Assistant

Company: PETS FIRST VETERINARY HOSPITAL
Location: Thousand Oaks
Posted on: February 16, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Benefits: 401(k) matching Bonus based on performance Free food & snacks Free uniforms Health insurance Opportunity for advancement Profit sharing Training & development ABOUT US: Pets First is an appointment-based urgent care/ER bridging the gap between general practice and traditional emergency hospitals. We offer low-cost hospitalization when appropriate and emergency dental care (with RVT-supported radiography and prophylaxis within RVT scope). We collaborate closely with board-certified veterinary specialists criticalists, surgeons, internists, cardiologists, and dentists to elevate patient outcomes and team learning. SCHEDULE: Soft Open: January 9, 2026 June 2026 Operating FriMon, 11:00 a.m.9:00 p.m. Expansion: Transition to 57 days/week with the Grand Opening in June 2026 Opportunity for a fixed or rotating schedule at expansion, based on team preferences and hospital needs COMPENSATION: $22$30/hour to start, based on skills and experience BENEFITS AND PERKS Flexible Scheduling Career Advancement Opportunities Structured Training & Development (RVT or other clinical pathways) Competitive Compensation Revenue-Sharing Premium Health Insurance (HMO or PPO) 401(k) Matching Employee Pet Insurance Culture-driven, supportive working environment RESPONSIBILITIES Clinical Support (under RVT/DVM supervision) Triage & rooming: capture thorough histories, vitals (TPR/weight/pain score) , and help prioritize cases using protocols Practice low-stress handling and restraint for exams, imaging, and treatments Prepare treatment/surgery/dental areas; assist with instrument care and sterilization (autoclave) Assist with sample collection and processing (urine, fecal, ear/skin cytology) per protocols Radiography assistance: positioning/restraint and radiation-safety compliance Patient care & monitoring: comfort rounds, nutrition/hydration support, timely reporting; document accurately in the EMR Pharmacy support (prep/label/dispense) within VACSP rules and under DVM direction Run approved in-house tests; maintain logs and precise EMR entries Client Interaction, Phones & Coordination Answer phones and perform call triage using decision trees; schedule and set expectations with warmth and clarity Guide clients through visit flow; review estimates/consents (with RVT/DVM) and support check-in/checkout Deliver discharge reinforcement (home-care/medication instructions) and complete follow-up calls per protocol Assist with issue resolution professionally, escalating to the RVT/DVM/Manager as appropriate Operations & Quality Inventory support: stocking, counts, expiration checks, and vendor coordination assistance Uphold safety and compliance (OSHA/Cal-OSHA, radiation safety, DEA/Board documentation under supervision) Contribute to a safe, organized, and patient-ready environment as part of routine standards Participate in team trainings/case reviews; offer ideas to improve workflow and patient experience TRAINING AND GROWTH Structured skill progression with RVT mentorship and checklists (triage, anesthesia support, dentistry support, diagnostics) Shadow opportunities with RVTs/DVMs and exposure to specialty collaboration (critical care, IM, surgery, cardiology, dentistry) Guidance on RVT pathway planning (scope, competencies, exam readiness resources) QUALIFICATIONS Prior experience as a VA or in animal care (GP, urgent care, ER, shelter) preferred Willingness to obtain and maintain a California Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substance Permit (VACSP) promptly after hire (or current VACSP) required Strong low-stress handling, organization, and teamwork skills Excellent communication and client-service skills; calm under pressure Comfortable with EMR/computers; able to lift ~50 lbs safely and stand for extended periods Evening/weekend availability within the schedule above Pets First Veterinary Hospital is an equal opportunity employer. All medical decisions are made by veterinarians; duties remain within the California scope of practice for Veterinary Assistants and are performed under RVT/DVM supervision.

Keywords: PETS FIRST VETERINARY HOSPITAL, Malibu , Veterinary Assistant, Healthcare , Thousand Oaks, California