Emergency Veterinary Technician (Swing) - Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists

PetVet Care Centers' Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists is currently seeking a Emergency Veterinary Technician (Swing) 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

Emergency Veterinary Technicians are under the direct guidance and supervision of the doctor. Incumbents of this position are required to assist the practitioners to the fullest possible extent, to help improve the quality of care given to the patients of Pacific and Santa Cruz Veterinary specialists and to aid the practitioners in achieving greater efficiency by relieving them of technical work and administrative detail.


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 take pride in fostering a collaborative, team-oriented culture, along with a strong commitment to growth and advancement within our Emergency Department. Our hospital values meaningful partnerships between doctors, technicians, assistants, and client care teams, and we are dedicated to creating an environment where team members feel supported, heard, and empowered to grow professionally.
• We are seeking individuals who are passionate about high-quality emergency medicine and thrive in a fast-paced, team-driven environment. As part of our growing ER department, you will play an important role in shaping its future while working with a diverse and dynamic caseload, ranging from urgent care to complex medical cases. This provides ongoing opportunities to strengthen your emergency and critical care skills.
• We also emphasize mentorship and collaboration, ensuring team members have the support and resources needed to build confidence and expand their knowledge in emergency medicine. As our service continues to grow and evolve, we are excited to welcome individuals who are eager to learn, contribute, and be part of that journey.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare for shifts by stocking drawers in exam rooms and treatment area. By setting up flush syringes, catheter kits and assuring that drugs and equipment are ready. Provide restraint of pets for examination and treatment by veterinarian. Prepare medications (both injections and dispensed medications) for both outpatients and inpatients. Log controlled substances.
• Help doctor administer anesthetics; prepare patients for surgery; monitor patients during surgery and recovery; assist in surgery; administer fluids; perform support therapy to patients in surgery and post-op;
• Properly clean, pack and autoclave all surgical materials after they are used. Keep the operating room properly stocked and prepared for surgery.
• Assist the doctor with treatment of patients; assist in medical or surgical procedures such as irrigating, cleansing, and bandaging wounds, administering and monitoring anesthesia for critical and injured animals, monitoring fluid administration and urine output, reading an ECG and blood pressure (Doppler and cardell), placing urinary and intravenous catheters, administering emergency medications and performing doctors' orders in extreme emergency situations, and pain assessment.
• Keep accurate and timely charts of all patient progress and treatments. Enter all charges into the computer system during every shift.
• Perform clinical laboratory procedures such as blood chemistries, CBC, electrolytes, heartworm checks, skin scrapings, urinalysis, fungal cultures, draw blood for laboratory analysis. Prepare samples for shipment to laboratory and prepare laboratory forms. Perform other in-house tests such as parvo virus tests, and feline leukemia virus tests. Ensure patient records have test results recorded in them through CS.
• Take radiographs.
• Provide for the care and comfort of all patients in the ICU and kennels, including changing bedding, assessing pain and discomfort, and providing pain medications.
• Admit and discharge patients on the doctor's orders, being especially careful to ensure that patients being discharged are well-groomed and in a medically appropriate state. Answer client questions one-on-one on various aspects of animal care up to, but not including, controversial items and/or those best left to the veterinarians. Pass on information/advice from the practitioners; explain dosage/purpose of medications; reinforce thorough discussion of the proper care and procedures that should be followed at home. Provide follow-up and updates on the progress of hospitalized patients with clients concerning certain patients; recommend additional visit and/or follow up with doctor's recommendation if patient's progress does not appear satisfactory.
• Assist the receptionist when necessary and assume her duties during her absence.
• Maintain an appropriate inventory of all supplies as dictated by the inventory control system. Inform inventory manager as needed about items that need to be ordered. Unpack boxes of medical supplies, check expiration dates, rotate stock and ensure that all ICU areas are appropriately stocked and clean. Make sure all products and literature are identified with labels. Keep abreast of over-the-counter products and their usage such as flea control and skin products, vitamins, and pet foods. Also understand usage and recommendations for prescription drugs.
• Maintain hospital cleanliness by performing cleaning tasks on daily, weekly and monthly lists that are located within the department.

Advancement


Veterinary Technicians in this practice will be taught and trained to the limits of their potential. If, during training, an individual shows interest in a specific field, such as radiology or anesthesiology, continuing education in that field will be encouraged. Such encouragement may be in the form of a subsidy for taking outside courses or formal training given in the practice.


Qualifications (Required)

• 3+ years of experience handling emergency cases
• Proficiency in IV catheter placement (IVC) and venipuncture
• Experience with radiographs
• Strong knowledge of safe patient handling techniques
• Ability to perform accurate medical calculations
• Skilled in CPR
• Experience with sedation and general anesthesia (GA)

Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)

• Previous experience in an ER hospital setting

Schedule Other Significant Facts

• Sunday - Wednesday starting between 2PM- 5PM (ten hour shifts), including 1 weekend shift a week and some holidays
• Four 10-hour swing shifts

Other Significant Facts

Knowledge:

• RVT or equivalent; minimum 3-5 years of critical care, intensive care, and emergency experience
• Knowledge of the procedures used for care and monitoring of patients, for ordering medical supplies, and requesting laboratory tests.
• Knowledge of the use, care, and storage of veterinary instruments, materials, and equipment.
• Knowledge of sterilization techniques to sterilize various instruments and materials.
• Knowledge of the instruments, materials, and standardized procedures used in the full variety of treatments to make preparations and provide assistance to DVM.

Skills:

• TPR/ physical assessment
• Drug administration/ dosage calculation
• Venipuncture
• Catheter placement - both venous and urinary
• Cystocentesis - "blind" stick and ultrasound guided
• CPR
• Critical care and emergency assessment skills
• Record/ interpret ECG
• Radiology
• Anesthesiology
• Surgical assisting
• Post surgical care/ monitoring
• Perform laboratory tests; CBC, Chem, UA, viral tests, PT/PTT, etc.
• Set up and monitoring of equipment such as Doppler, Cardell, SpO2, ECG, IV fluid pumps, anesthesia machines, suction pumps, crash cart, O2 cage
• Recognition and knowledge of infectious/ zoonotic disease
• Customer service/ communication skills

Physical Effort:


Work often requires lifting and carrying animals which may weigh upwards of 100 lbs. Technicians will be assisted by each other in working with larger animals. Walks or stands for extended periods of time; frequently works in bent position.

Working Conditions:


Work often exposes the ICU Technician to unpleasant odors and noises. May be exposed to bites, scratches, and animal waste; may also be exposed to contagious diseases.


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

$27-$30 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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