Medical Veterinary Assistant Salary jobs in Alberta

Location: Calgary, AB

Department: Surgery

The Calgary Animal Referral and Emergency Centre CARE Centre is welcoming a full-time Veterinary Surgery Assistant to join our dedicated and dynamic pet healthcare team. The CARE Centre is a 24-hour emergency and referral specialty hospital. We are committed to supporting pet owners and the veterinary community by providing the highest level of emergency and referral care.

The primary role of the Surgery Tech Assistant is to assist the AHTs and Surgeons with daily tasks and patient care.

• Perform proper restraint techniques when assisting AHTs and Surgeons to assess and treat patients.
• Assist Surgeons and AHTs while they collect samples, take radiographs and prepare for surgeries.
• Scrub into surgeries and assist Surgeons during procedures.
• Clean and autoclave instruments using proper aseptic techniques.
• Provide physical and emotional support for patients.
• Help to maintain the hospital treatment areas and ensure general cleanliness.

Our team members are passionate about pets and their people. The ideal candidate will be energetic, self-motivated, outgoing and possess strong organizational skills. The CARE Centre is a fast-paced environment, so the ability to multitask is essential. Strong interpersonal skills are essential to thrive in our highly team-based environment, as well as to deliver the exceptional client experience that the CARE Centre is renowned for. An interest in continual learning is supported with a continuing education allowance. Previous or equivalent veterinary experience in a clinic setting is required.

Schedule: 40 hours per week, 5 days a week, including possible on-call on weekdays/weekends.

What We Can Offer You

• Competitive compensation that reflects your skills, experience, and the role.
• RRSP Employer Group Match Program (5%) to help you save for the future.
• Paid time off for continuing education, vacation, sick days, and personal wellness days.
• Annual CE Allowance.
• Benefits: Minimum 24 hours per week for eligibility, with flexible options.
• Paid annual certification memberships and uniform allowance.
• Mental health support tools and resources: Virtual health care (telemedicine), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and digital wellness tools supporting mindfulness, sleep, and physical fitness.
• Various career development pathways.
• Generous personal pet care discounts and lifestyle perks, including exclusive shopping discounts and access to a wellness app.

Our Story

VCA Canada is a network of veterinary hospitals, with our head office in Calgary, Alberta, committed to positively impacting pets, people, and local communities for nearly 45 years. We have compassion for the neighbourhoods we serve and every pet within them, not just those we see in our hospitals. Every VCA Canada hospital location takes pride in its legacy of excellence, earning the trust of pet owners by delivering the highest quality of medicine to keep pets happy and healthy.

In 2017, VCA Canada became part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of brands, solidifying an even stronger commitment to ensuring the strength and stability of the veterinary profession and our commitment to pet parents nationwide. VCA Canada is also passionate about providing an industry-leading Associate experience to over 4,000 Canadians employed across the country. In 2026, for the third year in a row, we were named one of Alberta's Top Employers, which recognizes organizations whose head offices are located within the province and lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work. Additionally, we were selected as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People 2026, which recognizes employers across Canada that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work and programs for young people starting their careers.

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Flexible schedule
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• RRSP match

Work Location: In person