Veterinary Assistant Jobs in Costa Mesa, CA

A Veterinary Assistant plays an integral role in the veterinary industry by providing essential support to Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians. They are responsible for a wide range of tasks including maintaining medical records, cleaning and sanitizing animal cages, providing post-operative care, preparing samples for laboratory examinations, feeding and bathing animals, and assisting during patient examinations. Veterinarian Assistants often communicate with pet owners, so strong interpersonal and communication skills are paramount. Knowledge of animal behavior and medical terminology is also vital.

Before becoming a Veterinary Assistant, a person could have roles such as an Animal Caretaker, Pet Groomer, or Kennel Attendant. These roles provide valuable experience in handling and caring for animals. It's not mandatory, but advantageous to have a certificate or diploma in Veterinary Assistance. These programs usually cover anatomy, animal behavior, and veterinary office practices, and are typically completed in a year or less. A certification like the Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) designation is recognized by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), and can enhance employment prospects.

1-15 of 23 Jobs

Pet Care Assistant- Part Time

  • Downey, CA (22 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 1 hour ago
  • Downey, CA (22 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 1 hour ago

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. Pet Care Assistant Summary...

Veterinary Assistant- Part Time

  • Downey, CA (22 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 1 hour ago
  • Downey, CA (22 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 1 hour ago

Position Description Veterinary Assistant - Job Description.docx 3 of 3 Last Revised : 0 5 /03/2018 JP E XPERIENCE, E DUCATION AND / OR T RAINING Certificate of completion from a NA VTA approved Veterinary...

Veterinary Assistant

  • Long Beach, CA (22 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 1 day ago
  • Long Beach, CA (22 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 1 day ago

We are seeking an experienced Veterinary Assistant to join our team of dedicated veterinary professionals at our fast-paced multi-doctor practice located in Long Beach....

Veterinary Assistant

  • Irvine, CA (10 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 3 days ago
  • Irvine, CA (10 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 3 days ago

Position Overview : The veterinary assistant provides support to the veterinarians and technicians in their daily tasks by cleaning and maintaining equipment, feeding, exercising and grooming patients...

Veterinary Assistant

  • Fullerton, CA (13 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 3 days ago
  • Fullerton, CA (13 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 3 days ago

Utilize technical skills to the fullest, within state practice acts and as outlined in the NAVTA guidelines for veterinary assistant skills and duties....

Veterinary Assistant - Surgery

  • Tustin, CA (6 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 4 days ago
  • Tustin, CA (6 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 4 days ago

At VCA Orange County Veterinary Specialists we are seeking an experienced Veterinary Assistant to join our Surgery Team....

Pet Care Assistant in Seal Beach, CA

  • Seal Beach, CA (11 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 6 days ago
  • Seal Beach, CA (11 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 6 days ago

Opening Statement Pet Care Assistant Summary of Job Purpose and Function The Pet Care Assistant works with the veterinary medical team to provide and prepare for the best medical care of pets, and...

Veterinary Assistant

  • Chino Hills, CA (21 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 8 days ago
  • Chino Hills, CA (21 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 8 days ago

Role Summary We are currently seeking a Veterinary Assistant to join our growing team....

Telemetry Monitor Technician- CVT Surgical Telemetry- F/T, Night Shift

  • Orange, CA (8 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 10 days ago
  • Orange, CA (8 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 10 days ago

Telemetry Monitor Technician- CVT Surgical Telemetry- F/T, Night Shift University of California - Irvine Health medical insurance United States, California, Orange Jul 07, 2025 Who We Are UCI...

Veterinary Clinic Assistant

  • Pomona, CA (22 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 15 days ago
  • Pomona, CA (22 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 15 days ago

Job Overview: PetIQ is on a mission to provide accessible, affordable pet wellness care to communities across the country. As a Veterinary Clinic Assistant, you'll be a key part of our mobile...

Per Diem Telemetry Technician- CVT Surgical Telemetry- Night Shift University of California Irvine Health

  • Orange, CA (8 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 20 days ago
  • Orange, CA (8 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 20 days ago

Per Diem Telemetry Technician- CVT Surgical Telemetry- Night Shift Req ID: 102804 Location: Orange, California Division: Medical Center Department: CVT Surgical Telemetry Position Type: PER DIEM...

Animal Care Assistant

  • Pomona, CA (22 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 30+ days ago
  • Pomona, CA (22 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 30+ days ago

Posting Details About WesternU As you take your first step onto a Western University of Health Sciences campus, each path, each person, each structure comes with a transformative story. WesternU...

Remote Work

Assistant Nurse Manager - CVT Surgical Telemetry/Burn ICU - FT, Evening/Nights

  • Orange, CA (8 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 45+ days ago
  • Orange, CA (8 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 45+ days ago

Assistant Nurse Manager - CVT Surgical Telemetry/Burn ICU - FT, Evening/Nights Req ID: 99647 Location: Orange, California Division: Medical Center Department: CVT Surgical Telemetry Position Type:...

Assistant Nurse Manager - CVT Surgical Telemetry/Burn ICU - FT, Evening/Nights University of California Irvine Health

  • Orange, CA (8 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 45+ days ago
  • Orange, CA (8 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 45+ days ago

Assistant Nurse Manager - CVT Surgical Telemetry/Burn ICU - FT, Evening/Nights Req ID: 99647 Location: Orange, California Division: Medical Center Department: CVT Surgical Telemetry Position Type:...

Veterinary Assistant - 005112

  • Laguna Niguel, CA (11 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 45+ days ago
  • Laguna Niguel, CA (11 miles from Costa Mesa, CA)
  • 45+ days ago

Start your Banfield Career as a Veterinary Assistant Learn more about the impact you can make as...

Demographic Data for Costa Mesa, CA

Moving to Costa Mesa, CA? Find some basic demographic data about Costa Mesa, CA below.


Local
National
112,649
5,258
Medium/Lg

Veterinary Assistant Online Courses and Training Opportunities

iHireVeterinary curates thousands of courses in order to recommend the best ones to help further your career. If you register for a course using the links on our site, we may receive a small commission.
Antimicrobial Stewardship in Veterinary Practice
Vets and human health professionals both have a responsibility to address the challenge of antimicrobial stewardship. Veterinary nurses, surgeons and pharmacists need the skills to prescribe...
Veterinary Support Assistant Training
As an essential member of the veterinary team, a veterinary support assistant (VSA) helps veterinarians and other veterinary professionals with their daily duties. They handle administrative...
Virtual Work Experience and Exploring the Veterinary Profession
The COVID-19 pandemic means that many potential vet students cannot undertake animal handling work experience. On this course, youll get insight into the reality of life as a vet so that you can...

Salary for Veterinary Assistant Jobs in Costa Mesa, CA

Estimated salary range based on data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireVeterinary research efforts.

Licensing / Certification

Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Veterinary Assistant positions.



Highest Education Level

Veterinary Assistants in Costa Mesa, CA offer the following education background
Bachelor's Degree
30.5%
High School or GED
26.0%
Associate's Degree
19.6%
Vocational Degree or Certification
12.5%
Master's Degree
3.4%
Some College
3.4%
Doctorate Degree
2.8%
Some High School
1.9%

Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Veterinary Assistants in Costa Mesa, CA
Less than 1 year
43.4%
None
35.2%
4-6 years
9.7%
2-4 years
8.8%
1-2 years
2.9%


Other Career Titles

Here are some other career titles that require similar skills



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