veterinary assistant vca interview

Why do you want to work at VCA?

VCA has a strong reputation for high standards of care and teamwork. I am excited about working in a hospital setting where I will be encouraged to learn, support technicians and doctors, and grow within the practice.

How do you handle a fast-paced environment?

During busy times at Seacliff, I prioritized patients and clients in the hospital by clearly communicating expected wait times both in person and over the phone, helping clients feel respected and informed. I also maintained consistent communication with my coworkers to improve efficiency and teamwork.

How do you deal with difficult or emotional clients?

As a veterinary receptionist, I regularly worked with anxious or emotional clients. I focus on listening, staying calm, and explaining things clearly while being compassionate. If a situation needs medical clarification, I make sure to involve a technician or doctor if the information is not already in their cart.

Questions at end of interview.

1. How does VCA support training and growth for veterinary assistants?

2. What qualities make someone successful on your team?

What is your greatest strength?

My greatest strength is being a reliable team member. I communicate well, anticipate where I can provide extra help, and make sure my responsibilities are handled so technicians and doctors can focus on patient care.

Why should we hire you for this Veterinary Assistant role?

VCA has a strong reputation for high standards of care and teamwork, and I believe my background allows me to contribute to the environment. My experience at Seacliff Animal Hospital and Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center has given me a strong foundation in animal handling, clinic workflow, and client communication. As a veterinary assistant, I would bring reliability, a willingness to learn, and the ability to support both the medical team and clients.

Tell me about a difficult situation and how you handled it.

An owner’s daughter called requesting euthanasia for their dog, who had been experiencing ongoing stomach issues. I understood this was an emotional situation, so I consulted a technician to confirm the appropriate next steps. We determined that the doctor would need to examine the pet and discuss options before proceeding, which required an appointment. I communicated this to the daughter with empathy, acknowledged her distress, and explained the doctor’s availability. Although she was initially upset about not being seen immediately, I remained calm, validated her feelings, and offered the earliest available appointment that afternoon.

What is your greatest weakness ?

I struggle in new social settings. However, I have learned how to push myself with interacting to perform daily tasks until I become more comfortable and interactions become easier.

Tell me about yourself.

I have a background in animal care and veterinary client support. I recently worked as a veterinary receptionist at Seacliff Animal Hospital and volunteered as an Animal Butler at the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center. I am excited about this role because it allows me to combine hands-on patient care with client communication.

What experience do you have with animal handling?

In my Animal Butler role, I gained hands-on experience handling animals. In a veterinary setting, I worked closely with clients and veterinary staff, which helped me understand patient flow, safety, and communication in a clinical environment. These experiences prepared me for the role because I am familiar with veterinary terminology, understand how a clinic operates, and can communicate treatment plans and next steps to clients in a patient, empathetic way while supporting the team.

How do you handle stressed or aggressive animals?

I pay close attention to body language and try to mimics stress by moving calmly. I am not afraid to ask for assistance if an animal is stressed because safety for the patient and team is priority.