Veterinary Surgical & Dental Technician (1+ Year Experience Required)

Job Description

Job Description

Veterinary Surgical & Dental Technician (1+ Year Experience Required)

Location: Port St. Lucie, FL – Tradition (Located inside PetSmart)

Position Type: Part-Time (Starting 1 day/week with growth potential)

Pay Rate: $18.00 – $20.00 per hour

About Us

We are an independently owned and operated veterinary hospital located inside the PetSmart in the heart of  Tradition in Port St. Lucie, Florida . Having officially opened our doors, our newly built, state-of-the-art facility is growing quickly! We offer the best of both worlds: the agility, warm culture, and doctor-led care of an independent practice, combined with a vibrant, accessible location.

Our hospital features four modern exam rooms, a dedicated dental area, and an advanced surgical suite. We have established a positive, collaborative, and drama-free workplace culture from day one. As our procedural schedule ramps up, we are looking for a dedicated veterinary technician to anchor our surgical and dental days.

The Role & Schedule

This position is initially  part-time, starting at 1 dedicated procedural day per week . As our appointment book and client base expand, this role is designed to grow directly alongside our caseload into additional weekly shifts and clinical hours.

Your primary responsibilities will focus on  surgical assistance, dental cleanings, and patient anesthesia . You will be the veterinarian’s right hand in the suite—operating anesthesia machines, intubating, monitoring vital signs, performing dental prophylaxis, and keeping patients safe and comfortable from prep to recovery.

Key Responsibilities

• Anesthesia Machine Operation & Safety: Perform pre-anesthetic machine leak checks (rebreathing and non-rebreathing circuits), check oxygen supplies and scavenging systems, adjust vaporizers accurately, and maintain all anesthesia equipment.
• Surgical Assisting & Suite Prep: Prepare the surgical suite, set up and open sterile packs, scrub and prep patients aseptically, and assist the veterinarian directly during soft-tissue and routine surgical procedures.
• Dental Procedures: Perform routine dental cleanings (ultrasonic scaling, subgingival curettage, and polishing), dental charting, and assist the doctor during oral examinations and extractions.
• Intraoperative Patient Monitoring: Actively monitor and log vital signs during procedures (heart rate, respiration, SpO2​, capnography/ETCO2​, non-invasive blood pressure, and core temperature); identify changes in depth or trends and notify the doctor immediately.
• Pre- & Post-Operative Patient Care: Review pre-op blood panels, place peripheral IV catheters, administer premedications and inductions under veterinary direction, safely intubate, and supervise smooth extubation and thermal recovery.
• Sterilization & Pack Care: Decontaminate, ultrasonic-clean, pack, and autoclave surgical and dental instruments in accordance with strict hospital protocols.
• Client Discharges: Go over clear, compassionate home-care instructions with owners, including pain management, wound care, post-dental diets, and what to monitor.
• Floor Support: Assist the team with outpatient treatments, blood draws, and basic clinic tasks when not actively scrubbed in or recovering surgical/dental patients.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience:   Minimum of 1 year of hands-on experience in veterinary surgery, dental cleanings, and anesthesia monitoring.
• Anesthesia & Equipment Competency: Confident working knowledge of anesthesia machines, breathing circuits, scavenging systems, endotracheal intubation, and multi-parameter monitors.
• Dental Skills: Hands-on experience performing ultrasonic dental scaling, polishing, and charting.
• Credentials:   CVT, LVT, or RVT certification is preferred, but not required. Skilled, experienced uncredentialed technicians with strong surgical references are encouraged to apply. High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Schedule Availability: Able to work 1 procedural day per week to start, with openness to adding shifts as surgery and dental volume grows.
• Clinical Skills: Competent in IV catheter placement, blood draws, sterile patient prep, and dosage math.
• Work Style: Calm and attentive under anesthesia, detail-oriented, reliable, and committed to a positive, team-first environment.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to stand for long periods, bend, kneel, and safely lift or maneuver up to 40–50 lbs.

What We Offer

• $18.00 – $20.00 per hour
• 50% Personal pet care discounts
• $200 annual scrub allowance toward your preferred brand
• Clear pathway to add shifts and grow your hours as our procedural volume expands
• A brand-new, clean facility equipped with modern surgical and dental equipment in Tradition

\nCompany Description

PetSmart Veterinary Services in Port St. Lucie is an independently owned and operated, full-service veterinary hospital located inside PetSmart in the heart of Tradition. Having recently opened our doors in our newly built, modern facility, we combine the personalized care, physician autonomy, and warm culture of private practice with the accessibility and energy of a prime retail location. Our practice features four exam rooms, a dedicated dental suite, and a fully equipped surgical suite designed for gold-standard patient care. We believe exceptional medicine starts with a healthy, supportive, and drama-free workplace where team members are valued, mentored, and given clear pathways to grow alongside our expanding hospital.

Company Description

PetSmart Veterinary Services in Port St. Lucie is an independently owned and operated, full-service veterinary hospital located inside PetSmart in the heart of Tradition. Having recently opened our doors in our newly built, modern facility, we combine the personalized care, physician autonomy, and warm culture of private practice with the accessibility and energy of a prime retail location. Our practice features four exam rooms, a dedicated dental suite, and a fully equipped surgical suite designed for gold-standard patient care. We believe exceptional medicine starts with a healthy, supportive, and drama-free workplace where team members are valued, mentored, and given clear pathways to grow alongside our expanding hospital.