Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital·San Luis Obispo, California
Support the cardiology team with patient intake, diagnostics, and compassionate restraint for cardiac patients. Assist with sample collection, equipment preparation, and maintaining a clean, organized hospital environment.
Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital is a privately owned, non-corporate specialty and emergency hospital built around collaboration, growth, and high-quality medicine.
We are seeking a Cardiology Veterinary Assistant who is excited to be part of a team-oriented environment, contribute to advanced patient care, and grow alongside a supportive group of technicians and specialists.
This role is ideal for someone who wants to build their technical skills, stay actively involved in patient care, and be part of a hospital where assistants are valued contributors—not just support staff.
What Makes This Role Different Non-corporate, veterinarian-led hospital — decisions are made by the people in the building Collaborative team structure — assistants, technicians, and doctors work closely together Growth-focused environment — we invest in training and skill development Hands-on experience — meaningful involvement in patient care and case flow Exposure to advanced medicine — cardiology cases alongside surgery, ER, radiology, oncology, and internal medicine Key Responsibilities
Patient Care Support Assist the Cardiology team with appointments, patient intake, diagnostics, and patient care Provide calm, safe, and compassionate restraint for cardiac patients Monitor patients for comfort and report changes in condition to the medical team Support hospitalized cardiac patients with walking, feeding, cleaning, comfort care, and observation Technical Support Assist with sample collection (blood, urine, etc.) as trained Help prepare patients for echocardiograms, ECGs, blood pressure measurement, imaging, and other diagnostics Prepare supplies and equipment for procedures and treatments Assist technicians and doctors with treatments, medication preparation, patient monitoring, and treatment setup under appropriate supervision Client Interaction Help facilitate a positive client experience through clear, kind communication Assist with discharge preparation and follow-up coordination Support the team in maintaining a calm and compassionate environment for patients and clients Hospital Operations & Team Support Help maintain clean, organized, and well-stocked exam, treatment, and procedure areas Help coordinate patient flow and appointment readiness Work closely with technicians, doctors, and other specialty services to support daily workflow Participate in cross-training opportunities within ER/ICU to gain broader experience in emergency and critical care Contribute to a positive, respectful, team-first culture.
We are building a hospital where every team member—assistants included—has a meaningful role in patient care. If you’re looking for a place where you can learn, grow, and be part of a genuinely collaborative team, this is a great opportunity to develop your career in veterinary medicine. Shift Differentials We recognize the value of overnight and weekend coverage and offer additional compensation for eligible hours worked: Overnight Differential: +$3.00/hour for hours worked between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM Weekend Differential: +$3.00/hour for hours worked between Friday at 8:00 PM and Monday at 6:00 AM These differentials are separate and cumulative. Team members working eligible overnight hours during the weekend differential period may earn both differentials, providing the opportunity to earn up to an additional $6.00/hour above their base rate.
Prior veterinary assistant experience preferred (especially in specialty or ER) Strong work ethic and willingness to learn Comfortable in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment Team-oriented with strong communication skills Growth & Development At Cerro Alto, this role is a starting point for growth, not a static position. Hands-on training with experienced technicians and specialists Opportunities to build technical skills over time Exposure to advanced cardiology and specialty medicine Clear pathway for increased responsibility and career advancement Work Environment Fast-paced specialty and emergency hospital Physically active role (standing, lifting, patient handling) Supportive, team-driven culture with high standards of care This is a full-time position primarily scheduled during daytime hours. Full-time team members typically work 10-hour shifts, 3–4 days per week. As a 24/7 specialty and emergency hospital, flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed is required.
Market context
In California, cardiology veterinary assistant roles are typically competitive because specialty and emergency settings value prior clinical experience, strong communication, and the ability to keep pace in physically active environments. Career advancement, training, and hands-on learning with specialists can make these openings attractive, and the job requirements and benefits here are AI-summarized from the original posting to save you research time. If you are applying, emphasize any specialty or ER experience and examples of staying organized under pressure.
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