Certified Veterinary Technician - Urgent Care

Lakeside Veterinary Hospital is a progressive practice providing primary, urgent, and emergency care to Carbondale and communities across Southern Illinois. The pace can move quickly, but compassion, integrity, service, and teamwork keep us grounded. Veterinarians, technicians, assistants, and client-service teammates share information, step in for one another, and keep every decision focused on the patient. You won't be expected to carry a difficult case alone; experienced teammates are close by to collaborate, teach, and help you build confidence.

When an urgent case comes through the door, you want to know the people beside you communicate clearly, trust your skills, and move as one. That's the team you'll find at Lakeside. Here, you'll steady worried pet owners, turn diagnostics into answers, and deliver hands-on nursing care that can change the course of a patient's night-all while working alongside colleagues who genuinely look out for one another.

That team-first approach is backed by advanced medicine you can use every day. CT, ultrasound, X-ray, and in-house chemistry, hematology, and blood-gas testing help you move from questions to informed decisions while a patient is still in your care. Lakeside's impact also extends beyond the hospital through partnerships with nearby humane societies, community events, and lasting connections with clients who remember how we showed up when their pet needed us most.

Check our more about us by visiting our website !

***Weekend shifts are a requirement for this position***

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Triage incoming emergency and urgent-care patients and communicate priorities to the medical team.
• Collect, prepare, and analyze blood, urine, and other diagnostic samples.
• Capture high-quality digital radiographs and support CT and ultrasound workflows.
• Provide attentive nursing care for hospitalized patients with varying levels of stability.
• Prepare patients and equipment for procedures, dentistry, and surgery.
• Monitor anesthesia, document trends, and respond thoughtfully as patient needs change.
• Administer medications and treatments accurately under veterinarian direction.
• Explain treatment plans and home-care instructions with patience and empathy.
• Help train teammates, improve workflows, and elevate the standard of veterinary care.

We're Looking For:

• A Certified Veterinary Technician with an active license required, 2+ year professional experience preferred but not required
• Previous experience in ER or Urgent Care settings preferred but not required.
• Confidence with safe animal restraint, venipuncture, catheter placement, and sample collection.
• Working knowledge of radiology, laboratory procedures, pharmacy protocols, and medical records.
• Experience with anesthesia and surgical support, or a strong desire to deepen those skills.
• Clear, respectful communication with clients and colleagues, especially under pressure.
• Good judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to organize competing priorities.
• A team-first mindset and willingness to support doctors, assistants, and fellow vet techs.
• Interest in mentorship, process improvement, or future leadership opportunities.

The ideal candidate will possess a combination of technical expertise and unwavering commitment to animal welfare in a dynamic veterinary setting.

***Weekend shifts are a requirement for this position***

Pay Range: $18/hr+ depending on level of experience

We offer our staff:

• Comprehensive Benefits (health, dental, vision, liability, 401k & 401K matching program, life & supplemental insurance, HSA, & FSA) 
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time for ALL Employees 
• Paid Bereavement Program 
• Paid Parental Leave Program
• Competitive Compensation
• Continuing Education Allowance (applies to licensed/registered/certified roles)
• Tuition Assistance Program 
• Access to a CVA/CVT/CVPM Partnership through Penn Foster 
• Career Development Opportunities 
• Referral Bonus Program for most positions! 
• Additional Benefits May Also Be Available (i.e. Personal Pet Discounts, Holiday Pay, Uniform Allowance, Bonuses etc.)

Hiring eligibility may be contingent to a candidate authorizing and completing a satisfactory background check.

*Note - some benefits may only be available to or vary slightly for full time employment status vs part time status.

For additional details including our full equal opportunity statement, texting/outreach communication authorization, physical requirements of the job and more, please visit: