Patient Recovery Veterinary Technician or Assistant - Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists

Job Description

Job Description

PetVet Care Centers' Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists is currently seeking a Patient Recovery Veterinary Technician or Assistant to join their team!

At PetVet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people — providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage — for all the moments that matter.

Because life is better with pets.

We deliver the Ultimate Care Experience — every pet, every client, every time. That starts with a Culture of Care that supports our team members as much as the pets and clients we serve.

With more than 420 locally led hospitals and over 11,000 team members nationwide , we offer:

• Local autonomy with national support
• Career mobility and development opportunities
• A collaborative, inclusive environment where your wellbeing comes first

You care for pets. We care for you.

Position Overview

This role is ideal for individuals passionate about patient care and teamwork. You'll play a key part in supporting patients through recovery following surgery or outpatient procedures, ensuring comfort, attentive monitoring, and smooth transitions throughout their stay.

At Pacific and Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists in Santa Cruz, California, our team shares a passion for exceptional patient care and a deep sense of teamwork. We work closely across departments to ensure every pet receives the highest quality of care and every client feels supported. Our culture is built on collaboration, respect, and learning. Team members are encouraged to grow their skills through mentorship, continuing education, and hands-on experience in a supportive environment.

Why Join Us:

• We foster a collaborative, team-focused culture with a strong commitment to growth and advancement. Our Patient Care Unit thrives on close partnerships between doctors, technicians, assistants, and client care teams, creating a supportive environment where team members feel valued and empowered to grow.
• We also offer strong mentorship and learning opportunities, allowing team members to build skills in patient monitoring, post-operative care, anesthesia recovery, and client communication while working alongside experienced professionals. We are excited to welcome individuals who are eager to learn, grow, and contribute to our evolving team.

Key Responsibilities

The main duties of this position is to administer care to the post op patients in the Recovery area and the patients that are in Isolation. Also to assist with Surgery, Isolation, ICU and ER dismissals.

• Checking in with the treatment lead when shift is starting to ensure there are no immediate tasks to be done. Keeping an open line of communication with the treatment lead throughout the day or if you are going to another part of the hospital is a vital responsibility of the recovery/isolation tech. If you have any concerns about the patient load or need assistance through the day check in with treatment lead, they will assign someone help you.
• Familiarize yourself with the staff on that day by checking the white board and also becoming aware of your lunch time. If you're lunch time is coming up and you are still working with a patient or feel that you will not get to lunch on time, communicate with the lead so they can make a plan going forward.
• Check the census and familiarize yourself with the patients in ICU. You may be asked by the treatment lead to assist in ICU depending on the need of the hospital.
• Obtain proper rounds on patients that are in Recovery and Isolation from overnight tech/assistant.
• Complete noted treatments on the flow sheets as directed by DVM.
• Check schedule for surgeries, if patients will be coming into recovery then ensure proper kennel and bed are ready. Assist ICU if patients will be going into ICU so that there are prepared areas for recovering patients.
• Help with dismissal's from ICU, recovery and isolation. If you are unable to do all dismissals (time conflicts or will need lunch around that time) then it is your duty to communicate with treatment lead to make a plan for who will dismiss patient.
• If you have light patient load or empty recovery and isolation, check in with treatment lead and ICU to see where you can be most helpful. Ensure you are not taking on too much if you still have patients.
• Help to cover ICU lunch when able.
• Help with callbacks when able.
• Restraining animals in a safe, efficient and compassionate manner during examinations, treatments and procedures.
• Prep patients for procedures. TPR, place IVC, start IVF, give pre-meds and perform any shaving that needs to be done prior to surgery.
• Knowledge of prescriptions procedures, how to fill medications in house, how to call to outside pharmacy and properly note in cornerstone and how to use our online pharmacy.

Laboratory procedures and radiographs

• Accurately perform routine in-house laboratory procedures on all laboratory equipment (procyte, catalyst, sedivue, vetstat, istat, centrifuge and refractometer). Appropriately prepare and handle specimens.
• Knowledge of how to create lab forms for all labs and appropriately prepare samples.
• Perform all laboratory maintenance. This is not one positions responsibility but the entire teams duty to ensure this is getting done.
• Take radiographs while following proper safety procedures. Utilizing hands free training to obtain radiographs. Knowledge of PPE and where to place radiation badge if standing in for radiographs.

Cleaning

• • Ensure cleaning list in recovery is completed daily.
  • If you have a patient that is staying in Isolation ensure that when you are leaving for the day that they room is as clean as possible for the next shift.
  • Knowledge of cleaning protocols after patient has been discharged from isolation.

Qualifications (Required)

• 2 or more years of Veterinary experience
• Understanding of normal vitals
• Good communication skills
• Proficient in TPRs and animal husbandry
• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to be considered for this position

Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)

• Sedation and GA experience.

Schedule

• Four 10-hour shifts, including a weekend day every week and some holidays

What We Offer
We care deeply about supporting our team members — professionally and personally. Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid Parental Leave (birth, adoption, foster)
• 401(k) with discretionary contribution
• Team Member Pet Discounts
• Emotional wellbeing support — including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP
• CE stipends and career development resources
• Grant Circle — a relief fund for team members facing personal hardship
• Local hospital culture backed by national resources

Pay Range

$23—$29 USD

At PetVet Care Centers, we're committed to a Culture of Care — for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. With more than 420 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 dedicated professionals , including 1700+ veterinarians , we offer a unique blend of local leadership and national support that helps our hospitals thrive.

Our model is built on partnership, collaboration, and local medical autonomy , empowering each hospital to deliver high-quality care while benefiting from shared resources and a strong professional community. Whether you're providing care in a hospital or supporting operations behind the scenes, PetVet is a place where you can grow your career, stay connected to your purpose, and make a meaningful impact.

You care for pets. We care for you.

PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V

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