Veterinary Assistant Jobs in Santa Cruz, 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.

1-7 of 7 Jobs

Veterinary Assistant

  • Aptos, CA (15 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 12 days ago
  • Aptos, CA (15 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 12 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...

Experienced Full Time Veterinary Assistant VCA Almaden Valley

  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 12 days ago
  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 12 days ago

VCA Almaden Valley Animal hospital is seeking an experienced Veterinary Assistant to join our team....

Veterinary Assistant For Weekend Wellness Clinic in Campbell, CA

  • Campbell, CA (18 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 17 days ago
  • Campbell, CA (18 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 17 days ago

BoosterPet Assistants Wanted BoosterPet is looking for passionate and experienced Veterinary Assistants to share our vision of providing healthy work spaces....

Veterinary Assistant / Technician

  • Capitola, CA (12 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 20 days ago
  • Capitola, CA (12 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 20 days ago

Position Overview: As a Veterinary Assistant / Technician at Santa Cruz GP, you are expected to work in a professional and efficient manner....

Veterinary Assistant

  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 30+ days ago
  • San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 30+ days ago

The Veterinary Assistant represents the mission and values to all clients....

Animal Care Asst II (Saturday - Wednesday)

  • Stanford, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 45+ days ago
  • Stanford, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
  • 45+ days ago

addition to the qualifications described for the Animal Care Assistant I level the Animal Care Assistant IIs should have: Familiarity with NIH guidelines, Stanford animal care and use policies, and...

Veterinary Assistant

  • Santa Cruz, CA
  • 90+ days ago
  • Santa Cruz, CA
  • 90+ days ago

Veterinary Assistant Careers at Banfield Pet Hospital For those who want to put their love of pets into action, there are few jobs more rewarding than that of Vet Assistant....

Demographic Data for Santa Cruz, CA

Moving to Santa Cruz, CA? Find some basic demographic data about Santa Cruz, CA below.


Local
National
101,449
2,927
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.
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...
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...
NAVTA Approved Veterinary Assistant 10-Test Bundle
At ExamEdge.com, we place our focus on helping you become as prepared as possible for your certification exam. We want you to walk out of the real exam confident and knowing that your time...

Salary for Veterinary Assistant Jobs in Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz, CA offer the following education background
Bachelor's Degree
30.6%
High School or GED
25.9%
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 Santa Cruz, 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



Veterinary Assistant Related Career Advice Articles

Veterinary technician examining cat
Guide to Veterinary Technician Societies

A brief guide to veterinary technician societies approved by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA).

Read article »
How to become a veterinarian
How to Become a Veterinarian

Thinking about becoming a veterinarian? This rewarding career requires a lot of hard work, learn what is required here.

Read article »
woman with cat using veterinary telehealth services
How to Break into Veterinary Telehealth

Considering exploring a career in veterinary telemedicine? Here's what you need to know.

Read article »