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Night Shift Veterinary Assistant Jobs in Riverside, CA

... night zoomies and everything in between. And we're here for it. Every tail wag, every vet visit ... * Assist veterinarian with appointments (routine and emergency), surgery, dentistry, and ...

... night zoomies and everything in between. And we're here for it. Every tail wag, every vet visit ... * Assist veterinarian with appointments (routine and emergency), surgery, dentistry, and ...

Showing results 41-60

Night Shift Veterinary Assistant information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$10

$17

$24

How much do night shift veterinary assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for night shift veterinary assistant in Riverside, CA is $17.99, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.82 and $19.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a night shift veterinary assistant?

Night Shift Veterinary Assistants are professionals who support veterinarians and veterinary technicians during overnight hours in animal hospitals or clinics. Their duties often include monitoring hospitalized animals, administering medications, cleaning and preparing treatment areas, and assisting with emergency procedures as needed. Working the night shift requires strong attention to detail, the ability to handle stressful situations, and compassion for both animals and their owners. These assistants play a vital role in ensuring that animals receive continuous care and support throughout the night.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a night shift veterinary assistant?

To thrive as a Night Shift Veterinary Assistant, you need a solid understanding of animal care, basic medical procedures, and often a high school diploma or veterinary assistant certification. Familiarity with veterinary practice management software, animal restraint tools, and basic lab equipment is typically required. Strong attention to detail, the ability to stay calm under pressure, and clear communication are crucial soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure the safety and well-being of animals during overnight hours and support efficient, high-quality care in emergency or after-hours situations.

What are common challenges faced by night shift veterinary assistants, and how can they be managed?

Night Shift Veterinary Assistants often encounter unique challenges such as managing emergency cases, working with limited staff, and adapting to irregular sleep schedules. Handling urgent situations requires strong communication skills and the ability to stay calm under pressure. To manage these challenges, it's important to develop effective time management strategies, maintain open communication with veterinarians and team members, and practice self-care to ensure physical and mental well-being. Many clinics also offer training and support to help night shift staff succeed in their roles.

What is the difference between Night Shift Veterinary Assistant vs Night Shift Veterinary Technician?

AspectNight Shift Veterinary AssistantNight Shift Veterinary Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingVeterinary technician certification; associate degree in veterinary technology
Work EnvironmentAnimal care areas, kennels, and support roles during night hoursMedical procedures, diagnostics, and patient monitoring during night shifts
Employer & Industry UsageVeterinary clinics, animal hospitals, sheltersVeterinary clinics, animal hospitals, research facilities
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding role differences for night shift supportClarifying technician responsibilities during night hours

The main difference between a Night Shift Veterinary Assistant and a Night Shift Veterinary Technician lies in their qualifications and responsibilities. Veterinary assistants typically have less formal training and focus on animal care support, while veterinary technicians have specialized certifications and perform more technical medical tasks. Both roles are essential for providing quality animal care during night shifts in veterinary settings.

What are popular job titles related to Night Shift Veterinary Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA?

For Night Shift Veterinary Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Night Shift Veterinary Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Night Shift Veterinary Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Night Shift Veterinary Assistant jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Night Shift Veterinary Assistant job openings:

Registered Veterinary Technician

Petco Health and Wellness

Santa Ana, CA โ€ข On-site

Other

This job post hasย expired 1 day ago.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Veterinarian Technician

Want to help pets live their best lives?

We're proud to be where the pets go and where the pet people go. If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you.

Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what's right for pets and people.

  • Pet First โ€“ Protect & Empower. All pets should Live their Best Life. We put the needs of pets and pet parents at the center of everything we do.
  • Foster the Fun โ€“ Connect & Bond. Our Passion for pets brings us together! We celebrate the journey of pet parenthood through district experiences, products, and services.
  • Let's Go! Own & Commit. We are stronger as One Petco team. We bring our unique superpowers and champion authenticity in everyone to drive success.

About Petco:

We're proud to be "where the pets go" to find everything they need to live their best lives for more than 60 years โ€” from their favorite meals and toys, to trusted supplies and expert support from people who get it, because we live it. We believe in the universal truths of pet parenthood โ€” the boundless boops, missing slippers, late night zoomies and everything in between. And we're here for it. Every tail wag, every vet visit, every step of the way. We are 29,000+ strong and together we nurture the pet-human bond in more than 1,500 Petco stores across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics and eight distribution centers. In 1999, we founded Petco Love. Together, we support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and have helped find homes for approximately 7 million animals through in-store adoption events.

UP TO $2,500 SIGN ON BONUS FOR ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES!!

Position Purpose:

The purpose of this Veterinarian Technician position inherently involves providing excellent veterinary care to our Vetco Total Care full-service hospital patients and phenomenal customer care to their owners. The Veterinary Technician represents the mission and values to all clients and partners. Our Veterinary Technicians set the tone for the technical and customer support team in the hospital, and are responsible, like all team members, for fostering cohesion and motivation within the hospital partners.

All hospital partners are responsible for performing duties in a way that creates an environment in which:

  • The patient's needs always come first.
  • Every team member understands that they have the power to do what it takes to create an exceptional customer and patient experience.
  • Contentious issues are dealt with and resolved as they occur when possible, or as soon as is possible.
  • Exceptional teamwork and commitment to shared goals benefits the entire organization.

Essential Job Functions:

The incumbent must be able to perform all the following duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation:

  • Greet clients and patients arriving for appointments or walk-ins and escort into an exam room, obtain weight and vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations, pain score, body condition score), record all in the electronic medical record, and begin documentation of the patient visit in the electronic medical record by obtaining and recording a thorough patient history.
  • Assist veterinarian with appointments (routine and emergency), surgery, dentistry, and euthanasia's, taking direct supervision from the veterinarian(s) and the Hospital Office Manager or Hospital Leader on Duty.
  • Perform patient restraint, obtain and process laboratory samples, handle and dispense medications at the direction of the veterinarian, and maintain the electronic medical record.
  • Schedule appointments, communicate with and educate clients, relay test results to doctor and clients, maintain and update inventory as well as client/patient records, and manage accounts receivable.
  • Prepare patients for surgical and dental procedures, safely support induction and monitoring of anesthetized patients including checking and recording vital parameters (under direction of the veterinarian), monitor patients during recovery, and prepare them for discharge to owner or transfer to an overnight care facility as needed.
  • Provide in-hospital treatments for sick patients including giving injectable and oral medications as well as intravenous therapies; keep patients clean, watered, and fed (when indicated and directed by veterinarian), and safely walk canine patients when necessary for elimination.
  • Participate in the training of new staff members and general dissemination of knowledge as required.
  • Keep hospital environment neat and clean; perform regular cleaning of environment based on necessity as well as based on a pre-determined maintenance schedule.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Perform additional duties as assigned.
  • Provide backup phone and front desk support as needed.

Nature of Supervision:

In all activities related to the care of patients, the Veterinary Technician will take direct supervision from the veterinarians as well as the Hospital Office Manager or Hospital Leader on Duty. For purposes of overall supervision, the Veterinary Technician takes direction from the Hospital Office Manager.

Planning and Problem Solving:

Like all team members, the Veterinary Technician plays a crucial role in ensuring that day-to-day operation of the hospital is efficient and provides an optimal experience for our patients and clients.

Impact:

This position will impact the organization by contributing to the growth of a productive practice while focusing on a high-quality standard of care. From an overall hospital organizational standpoint, this position is critical to ensuring that we have a cohesive, well-trained, and motivated technical team. The desired result is the creation of an optimal environment that ensures employee retention, patient well-being, and customer satisfaction.

Supervisory Responsibility:

This position has no immediate supervisory duties.

Education/Experience:

  • College or college-equivalent education (completed) as required in becoming a Credentialed Veterinary Technician in the state in which the hospital is located.
  • Must have at least 1-year previous experience as a Veterinary Technician or working in a veterinary practice.
  • Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Must be compassionate and sympathetic and be able to maintain a professional attitude and demeanor during emotional and stressful situations.
  • Must have telephone and computer skills.
  • Must be a team player willing to learn new techniques and treatments, offer creative ideas, and accept change.

Work Environment:

The majority of job duties are conducted in the Vetco Total Care full-service hospital. Position requires bending, kneeling, lifting (up to 30 pounds, as necessary) and standing for long periods of time. A large amount of this partner's time will be spent in direct contact with clients and their pets.

Contacts:

This position will regularly communicate with clients, veterinary specialists, and companies that provide products and/or services that the practice utilizes.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

The pay ranges outlined below are presented in accordance with state-specific regulations. These ranges may differ in other areas and could be subject to variation based on regulatory minimum wage requirements. Actual pay rates will depend on factors such as position, location, level of experience, and applicable state or local minimum wage laws. If the regulatory minimum wage exceeds the minimum indicated in the pay range below, the regulatory minimum wage will be the minimum rate applied.

Salary Range: $18.75 - $30.25

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification.