Veterinary Assistant Jobs in California
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.

Basic Veterinary Assistant / Kennel Assistant
- Scripps Ranch Veterinary Hospital
- San Diego, CA
- 23 hours ago
- Scripps Ranch Veterinary Hospital
- San Diego, CA
- 23 hours ago
We have a RARE opening for a friendly Basic Veterinary Assistant to join our fun and dedicated team....
We are seeking a full-time veterinary assistant to join our compassionate and dedicated crew. Prior veterinary experience is preferred, however other relevant work experience may be considered....

- The Grand Lake Veterinary Hospital
- Oakland, CA
- 3 days ago
- The Grand Lake Veterinary Hospital
- Oakland, CA
- 3 days ago
JOB DESCRIPTION Veterinary Assistant REPORTS TO: Lead Veterinary Assistant, Head RVT, Team Development Manager, Assistant Manager, Hospital Administrator, or Owner(s) POSITION OVERVIEW The Veterinary...
The Veterinary Assistant represents the mission and values to all clients....
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....
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...
Animal Care Assistant Posting Number: S01607 Campus: Department: 1701-College of Veterinary Medicine Classification Pay Scale In compliance with SB 1162, Western University of Health Sciences is...
Animal Care Assistant - Urgent Care Posting Number: S01608 Campus: Department: 1715-WesternU Pet Health Center Classification Pay Scale In compliance with SB 1162, Western University of Health...
Requirements: High school diploma or GED Veterinary Assistant Certificate or completion of a veterinary assistant program preferred Minimum of 5+ years in emergency and critical care veterinary medicine...
Who we are Pleasant Valley Animal Hospital is looking to add a friendly and dedicated Veterinary Assistant to our hospital team....
Role Summary We are currently seeking a Veterinary Assistant to join our growing team....
Veterinary Assistant - Huntington Beach
- Huntington Beach, CA
- 1 day ago
- Huntington Beach, CA
- 1 day ago
We care deeply about the profession, and we are adding skilled Veterinary Assistants to work hand-in-hand with our Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians to deliver phenomenal care to our patients...
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Venipuncture Catheter placement Radiology Physical examinations, patient assessment and record keeping Surgical preparation and assisting Dentistry Laboratory work Pharmacy Patient...
VCA Animal Hospitals offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including: Medical/Dental/Vision insurance, pet care discounts, paid vacation, holidays and sick days, health and...
Veterinary Assistant Ophthalmology San Marcos, CA More than a word, care is present in everything you do....
Demographic Data for California
Moving to California? Find some basic demographic data about California below.
Veterinary Assistant Online Courses and Training Opportunities
Salary for Veterinary Assistant Jobs in California
Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Veterinary Assistant positions.
Highest Education Level
Veterinary Assistants in California offer the following education backgroundQualifications / Skill Sets
The following top skills are often required or desired to land a Veterinary Assistant position
- Surgical Preparation
- Veterinary Assisting
- Small Animal Care
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Restraint
- Kennel Duties
- Client Education
- Anesthesia Monitoring
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
- Laser Therapy
- Microchipping
- Surgical Monitoring
- Fluid Therapy
- Patient Recovery
- Digital Radiography
- AVImark
- ezyVet
- Kennel Cleaning
- Preventive Care
- IV Catheterization
- Exotics
- Dental Prophylaxis
- Animal Care
- Drug Calculations
- Blood Transfusion
- Central Line Placement
- Reptiles
- Animal Handling
- Catheterization
- Anesthesia
- Sample Collection
- Surgical Assisting
- Medication Administration
- Surgery
- Learning and Development
- Triage
- X-Rays
- Wellness
- Medical Records
- Patient Care
- Scheduling Appointments
- Diagnostic
- Nursing
- Educating
- Health Care
- Referrals
- Networking
- Customer Relations
- High School Diploma
- Friendliness
- Mentoring
- Events
- Employee Development
- Inventory Management
- Multitasking
- Problem Solving
- Teamwork
- Organization
- Customer Service
- Scheduling
- Computer Skills
- Leadership
- Communication Skills
Other Career Titles
Here are some other career titles that require similar skills
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