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Overnight Veterinary Assistant Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA

Veterinary Assistant

Santa Rosa, CA

$17.25 - $21.50/hr

The Veterinary Assistant represents the mission and values to all clients. Our Veterinary ... overnight care facility. * Under supervision of the veterinarian and/or veterinary technician ...

Veterinary Assistant

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$17.25 - $21.50/hr

The Veterinary Assistant represents the mission and values to all clients. Our Veterinary ... overnight care facility. * Under supervision of the veterinarian and/or veterinary technician ...

Help prepare patients for surgical and dental procedures and assist doctor and/or veterinary ... overnight care facility. * Under supervision of the veterinarian and/or veterinary technician ...

Help prepare patients for surgical and dental procedures and assist doctor and/or veterinary ... overnight care facility. * Under supervision of the veterinarian and/or veterinary technician ...

Overnight Veterinary Assistant information

See Santa Rosa, CA salary details

$11

$18

$26

How much do overnight veterinary assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for overnight veterinary assistant in Santa Rosa, CA is $18.85, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.54 and $20.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an overnight veterinary assistant?

An Overnight Veterinary Assistant provides care and support for animals in a veterinary clinic or hospital during nighttime hours. Responsibilities include monitoring patients, assisting with treatments, maintaining clean kennels, and supporting veterinarians and technicians. This role requires attention to detail, compassion for animals, and the ability to work independently. Overnight shifts are crucial in ensuring continuous care for hospitalized pets.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an overnight veterinary assistant?

To thrive as an Overnight Veterinary Assistant, you need a basic understanding of animal care, strong observational skills, and experience in a veterinary or animal-related field. Familiarity with veterinary record-keeping systems, laboratory equipment, and animal restraint techniques is often required, and certification as a Veterinary Assistant (such as AVA) can be advantageous. Excellent communication, attention to detail, and a calm demeanor under pressure help you excel in overnight shifts when fewer staff may be present. These skills ensure the safety, comfort, and proper care of animal patients during non-traditional hours, supporting veterinarians and ensuring continuous care.

What are some common challenges faced by overnight veterinary assistants, and how can I prepare for them?

Overnight Veterinary Assistants often encounter challenges such as responding to emergency cases, managing anxious or critically ill animals, and working with limited on-site staffing. You may also need to balance multiple tasks independently, from monitoring post-surgical patients to cleaning and restocking facilities. Preparing by gaining hands-on experience with animal handling, familiarizing yourself with emergency protocols, and developing strong time management skills can help you confidently navigate overnight shifts. This role is well suited for individuals who work well under pressure and are comfortable making decisions with minimal supervision. Collaboration with the on-call veterinary team and clear communication are essential for ensuring excellent patient care throughout the night.

Can I work as an overnight veterinary assistant with no experience?

Overnight veterinary assistant positions often require some prior animal care experience or related skills, but entry-level roles may be available for those willing to learn and demonstrate reliability. Training is typically provided on the job, and basic knowledge of animal handling and safety procedures can be beneficial. Certifications such as pet first aid can also improve chances of employment.

What job categories do people searching Overnight Veterinary Assistant jobs in Santa Rosa, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Overnight Veterinary Assistant jobs in Santa Rosa, CA are:

What cities near Santa Rosa, CA are hiring for Overnight Veterinary Assistant jobs?

Cities near Santa Rosa, CA with the most Overnight Veterinary Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Overnight Veterinary Assistant job openings in Santa Rosa, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,206 per year, or $18.8 per hour.

Veterinary Assistant

Petco

Santa Rosa, CA

$17.25 - $21.50/hr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago


Petco rating

5.7

Company rating: 5.7 out of 10

Based on 639 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

458th of 737 rated retailers


Job description

Want to help pets live their best lives?


We're proud to be where the pets go and where thepet peoplego. 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 - Protect & Empower.All pets shouldLive their Best Life.We put the needs of pets and pet parents at the center of everything we do.

  • Foster the Fun - Connect & Bond.OurPassionfor pets brings us together! We celebrate the journey of pet parenthood through distinct experiences, products, and services.

  • Let's Go! Own & Commit.We are stronger asOne 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 - 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 - 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 are29,000+strong and together we nurture the pet-human bond in more than1,500Petco 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 foundedPetco Love. Together, we support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and have helped find homes for approximately7 million animalsthrough in-store adoption events.


Position Purpose:

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

All hospital staff are responsible for performing their 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 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 and escort them into an exam room, obtain weight and vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations) and record the electronic medical record. Veterinary Assistants will collect thorough patient histories and document the patient visit in the EMRs.

  • Assist doctors with appointments (routine and emergency), surgery, dentistry, and euthanasia, under supervision from the veterinarian credentialed veterinary technician, , HOM and HLOD.

  • Perform patient restraint, obtain and process laboratory samples, handle and dispense medications at the direction of the veterinarian and help maintain the electronic medical record.

  • Schedule appointments, provide client education, relay test results to doctor and clients, and maintain and update client/patient records.

  • Help prepare patients for surgical and dental procedures and assist doctor and/or veterinary technician in anesthetizing patients. Under supervision of the veterinarian and/or veterinary technician, assistants will maintain patients safely under anesthesia while monitoring vital parameters, help monitor patients during recovery and prepare them for hospital discharge or transfer to an overnight care facility.

  • Under supervision of the veterinarian and/or veterinary technician, perform in-hospital treatments for sick patients including giving injectable and oral medications as well as intravenous fluid therapy; keep patients clean, watered, and fed (when indicated and directed by doctor), safely walk canine patients when necessary for elimination.

  • Under direction of the HOM/HLOD, assist 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 individual patients, the incumbent will take direct supervision from the veterinarians as well as the Veterinary Technician. For purposes of overall supervision, the incumbent takes direction from the HOM/HLOD or from the supervising technician for the shift.

Planning and Problem Solving

Like all team members, the Veterinary Assistant 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 productive practice while focusing on a high-quality standard of care. From an overall hospital organizational standpoint, this position in critical to ensuring that we have a cohesive, well-trained, and motivated technical team. The desired end-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

  • Preferred to have at least 1-year previous experience working in veterinary practice or sufficient relatable animal care experience to ensure excellent performance at the above-listed skills

  • 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 Veterinary 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.

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.

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.

$18.50 - $29.50

Hourly or Salary Range will be reflected above. For a more detailed overview of Petco Total Rewards, including health and financial benefits, 401K, incentives, and PTO -see https://careers.petco.com/us/en/key-benefits

To translate this webpage to Spanish or other languages on your internet browser click the translate button to the right of your browser address bar. Additional instruction can be found here: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/173424?hl=en-GB&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop

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