Veterinary Assistant Jobs in La 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 25 Jobs

Veterinary Assistant

  • Banfield Pet Hospital
  • Chula Vista, CA (9 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 3 hours ago
  • Chula Vista, CA (9 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 3 hours ago

Veterinary Assistant supports the veterinarians and veterinary technicians in ensuring quality veterinary care for all pets, advocates for pets, educates clients on all aspects of pet health, and ensures...

In Person

Veterinary Assistant - Equine

  • Helen Woodward Animal Center
  • Rancho Santa Fe, CA (21 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 1 day ago
  • Rancho Santa Fe, CA (21 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 1 day ago

The Veterinary Assistant will work with horses in a veterinary setting assisting with various equine veterinary medical procedures/tasks....

In Person

Veterinary Assistant - Rancho Village Veterinary Hospital

  • PetVet Care Centers
  • La Mesa, CA
  • 7 days ago
  • La Mesa, CA
  • 7 days ago

PetVet Care Centers' Rancho Village Veterinary Hospital is currently seeking Veterinary Assistant to join their team!...

In Person

Veterinary Assistant BF Hillcrest

  • Banfield Pet Hospital
  • San Diego, CA (10 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 7 days ago
  • San Diego, CA (10 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 7 days ago

Position Description Veterinary Assistant - Job Description.docx 3 of 3 Last Revised: 05/03/2018 JP EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND/OR TRAINING Certificate of completion from a NAVTA approved Veterinary Assistant...

In Person

Veterinary Assistant - Kearny Mesa Veterinary Center

  • PetVet Care Centers
  • San Diego, CA (10 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 7 days ago
  • San Diego, CA (10 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 7 days ago

PetVet Care Centers' Kearny Mesa Veterinary Center is currently seeking Veterinary Assistant to join their team!...

In Person

Veterinary Assistant - Neurology

  • VCA Animal Hospitals
  • San Diego, CA (10 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 8 days ago
  • San Diego, CA (10 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 8 days ago

VCA Emergency Animal Hospital & Referral Center is looking for a Neurology Veterinary Assistant to support our Veterinary Neurologist....

In Person Full Time

Veterinary Assistant - College Animal Hospital

  • PetVet Care Centers
  • San Diego, CA (10 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 13 days ago
  • San Diego, CA (10 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 13 days ago

PetVet Care Centers' College Animal Hospital is currently seeking Veterinary Assistant to join their team!...

In Person

Veterinary Assistant

  • VCA Animal Hospital
  • San Diego, CA (10 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 14 days ago
  • San Diego, CA (10 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 14 days ago

VCA Peninsula Animal Hospital is seeking an experienced Veterinary Assistant to join our team....

In Person Full Time

Marine Mammal Assistant 1

  • SAIC (Science Applications Int.)
  • San Diego, CA (10 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 16 days ago
  • San Diego, CA (10 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 16 days ago

Job Description Description SAIC is looking for a Marine Mammal Assistant for our San Diego, CA location. In this role, the successful candidate will be required to perform preparation of rations,...

In Person

Veterinary Assistant - Companion Animal Hospital

  • Helen Woodward Animal Center
  • Rancho Santa Fe, CA (21 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 20 days ago
  • Rancho Santa Fe, CA (21 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 20 days ago

Veterinary Assistant - Companion Animal Hospital (Part Time) | Various Shifts, Including Weekends & Holidays as Needed Hourly Pay: $20.75 - $25.00 (Based on Experience) Are you passionate about animals...

In Person

Veterinary Assistant

  • Thrive Pet Healthcare
  • La Mesa, CA
  • 22 days ago
  • La Mesa, CA
  • 22 days ago

About You: As a Veterinary Assistant, you'll play an important role in pets' lives by providing comprehensive care throughout their journey....

In Person

Vetco Veterinary Assistant-Training Provided (Driving Role)

  • Petco Animal Supplies Inc
  • El Cajon, CA (7 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 22 days ago
  • El Cajon, CA (7 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 22 days ago

The Veterinary Assistant will assist the Veterinarian so the services can be administered and thank the pet parent for protecting their pet!...

In Person

Veterinary Assistant - Cardiology

  • VCA Animal Hospitals
  • San Diego, CA (10 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 28 days ago
  • San Diego, CA (10 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 28 days ago

VCA Emergency Animal Hospital & Referral Center is looking for an Cardiology Veterinary Assistant to support our Veterinary Cardiologist....

In Person Full Time

Veterinary Assistant - Advance Imagining

  • VCA Animal Hospitals
  • San Diego, CA (10 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 28 days ago
  • San Diego, CA (10 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 28 days ago

VCA Emergency Animal Hospital & Referral Center is looking for an Advanced Imaging Veterinary Assistant to support our Advanced Imaging Service....

In Person Full Time

Veterinary Assistant

  • B Street Veterinary Hospital
  • San Diego, CA (10 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 30+ days ago
  • San Diego, CA (10 miles from La Mesa, CA)
  • 30+ days ago

Your Impact as a Veterinary Assistant Provide Essential Patient Care: You'll be a key player in the health of our patients, assisting the medical team with hands-on care and ensuring every animal is...

In Person

Demographic Data for La Mesa, CA

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


Local
National
74,708
2,227
Medium

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 La 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 La Mesa, CA offer the following education background
Bachelor's Degree
31.3%
High School or GED
25.1%
Associate's Degree
19.7%
Vocational Degree or Certification
12.6%
Master's Degree
3.5%
Some College
3.3%
Doctorate Degree
2.8%
Some High School
1.8%

Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Veterinary Assistants in La 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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