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 Fri–Mon, 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
- Expansion: Transition to 5–7 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. 
