Experienced Veterinary Assistant — Treatment & Surgery Focus Vancouver Downtown Pet Hospital | Downtown Vancouver, BC $20.00 – $23.00/hour | Full-Time or Part-Time

You know the difference between a clinic that runs on you and one that runs with you.

You’ve worked in practices where you were expected to be everywhere at once—restraining a fractious cat, answering three phone lines, and cleaning a kennel before the next appointment walked in. You did it, because you care about the patients. But you also know what it feels like when that effort is taken for granted.

We’re building something different.

At Vancouver Downtown Pet Hospital, experienced assistants are the backbone of our treatment and surgery workflow. You’re not an extra set of hands—you’re a clinical partner. We hire people who already know what they’re doing, and then we get out of your way and support you properly.

What This Role Actually Looks Like In Treatment & Surgery You’ll work shoulder-to-shoulder with our DVMs and RVTs during real clinical medicine:

· Confident, safe restraint for routine and challenging cases—including fearful, stressed, and reactive patients using low-stress handling techniques

· Surgical prep, sterile instrument management, intraoperative monitoring, and post-anesthetic recovery

· In-house lab processing with equipment that actually works, and documentation in a fully paperless EMR system

· Strict infection-control protocols that the whole team follows (not just the people at the bottom of the org chart)

With Clients You’re the bridge between our medical team and the families who trust us:

· Greeting clients, managing appointment flow, and handling multi-line communications with professionalism and warmth

· Translating medical instructions into clear, compassionate guidance pet owners can actually follow

· Coordinating prescription refills and post-procedure care so nothing falls through the cracks

What We’re Actually Looking For





We’re not interested in training someone from scratch. We need an assistant who has already put in the reps and knows how a high-functioning hospital operates.

· At least 1 year of paid experience in a clinical small-animal hospital setting, with direct exposure to treatment and surgery

· Proven skill with difficult patients—you can handle a stressed or reactive dog or cat without escalating the situation

· Working knowledge of veterinary terminology, vaccine protocols, and common pharmaceuticals

· The ability to context-switch between patient care and client coordination without letting standards slip

· A steady temperament—you stay effective when the schedule is stacked and everyone’s moving quick

Why This Job Is Worth Leaving Your Current One For

· Compensation: $20.00 – $23.00/hour based on relevant experience

· Schedule flexibility: Full-time or part-time options available

· Location: Centrally located in downtown Vancouver with excellent transit access

· Staff perks: Subsidized veterinary care and retail discounts for your own pets

· A team that invests in you: Structured skill development, clear communication, and a culture where asking questions is encouraged—not penalized

· Protected boundaries: We staff adequately so you’re not routinely skipping breaks or staying late because someone called in sick

Ready to work somewhere your experience is valued instead of exploited?

Send your resume and a brief note about why you’re looking for a change to [email protected].

Please include your veterinary hospital employment history so we can confirm your clinical experience. We read every application personally, and we’re excited to hear from experienced assistants who are ready to deliver excellence in animal handling, surgical support, and client care.

Vancouver Downtown Pet Hospital is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive workplace for everyone.

Pay: $21.00-$23.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Work Location: In person

📌 Veterinary Assistant/Receptionist (Vancouver)
🏢 Vancouver Downtown Pet Hospital
📍 Vancouver