Veterinary Operating Room Technician

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Veterinary Operating Room Technician

Job Profile Title

Veterinary Technician, Operating Room C

Job Description Summary

Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania is seeking dedicated and collaborative Veterinary Operating Room Technicians to join our Surgery Service. This role is an integral member of a highly specialized surgical team supporting faculty surgeons, residents, interns, and veterinary students in a world-class academic teaching hospital.

Job Description

Join the Penn Vet Surgery Team

Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania is seeking dedicated and collaborative Veterinary Operating Room Technicians to join our Surgery Service. This role is an integral member of a highly specialized surgical team supporting faculty surgeons, residents, interns, and veterinary students in a world-class academic teaching hospital.

Our technicians play a critical role in delivering exceptional patient care while contributing to the education of future veterinary professionals. Surgical procedures range from routine and elective surgeries to complex emergency, reconstructive, transplant, minimally invasive, and advanced specialty procedures.

What You'll Do

As a Veterinary Operating Room Technician, you will support all aspects of surgical patient care and operating room management, including:

• Preparing operating rooms, equipment, instruments, and supplies for surgical procedures

• Maintaining and enforcing sterile and aseptic technique throughout all surgical procedures

• Serving as a circulating nurse and/or scrub nurse during surgery

• Performing patient skin preparation and positioning for surgery

• Performing surgical case setup and breakdown, including instrument processing and sterilization

• Operating and troubleshooting surgical and monitoring equipment

• Obtaining diagnostic radiographs using mobile imaging equipment as needed

• Supporting infection control practices and maintaining a clean, organized surgical environment

• Collaborating closely with surgeons, residents, interns, students, and nursing colleagues to ensure outstanding patient outcomes

• Assisting in the instruction and mentorship of veterinary students, interns, and residents in surgical nursing principles and techniques

What We're Looking For

Successful candidates thrive in a fast-paced clinical environment and demonstrate strong critical thinking, communication, and organizational skills. We value team members who are eager to learn, adaptable, and committed to advancing patient care and veterinary education.

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology program or equivalent education and experience

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a busy specialty hospital environment

• Strong communication, multitasking, and time-management skills

Credentialing Requirements by Level

Veterinary Technician OR Level A

• 0–1 years of veterinary or surgical nursing experience

• Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) or eligible to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) within six months of hire

Veterinary Technician OR Level B

• 1–2 years of surgical nursing experience

• Current CVT credential required

Veterinary Technician OR Level C

• 3–4 years of surgical nursing experience

• Current CVT credential required

Veterinary Technician OR Level D

• 5+ years of advanced surgical nursing experience

• Current CVT credential required

Schedule

• Full-time position

• Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM

• Participation in a mandatory on-call rotation is required

Compensation & Benefits

We are hiring at all technician levels for this opportunity. Compensation is commensurate with experience, credentials, skills, and level placement.

• Entry-level positions begin at $20.00/hour, with higher minimum rates available for experienced technicians

• Eligible for a $1,000 sign-on incentive

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, tuition benefits, and paid time off

For additional information regarding the sign-on incentive, please contact Amy Shields, Talent Acquisition Specialist, View email address on click.appcast.io

Physical Requirements

• Ability to frequently stand and walk for extended periods throughout a shift

• Ability to lift, carry, and restrain animals weighing up to 50 pounds independently and larger patients with team assistance

• Ability to bend, reach, kneel, and perform repetitive movements associated with surgical nursing duties

• Ability to work in a fast-paced clinical environment while maintaining attention to detail and patient safety

Join Penn Vet's Surgery Service and become part of a team dedicated to advancing veterinary medicine through exceptional patient care, innovation, and education.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Veterinary Medicine

Pay Range

$22.75 - $36.00 Hourly Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics) , citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law .

Special Requirements Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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The University of Pennsylvania’s special character is reflected in the wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community and help create an educational and working environment that best supports the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship. The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.