Veterinary Anesthesia Recovery Technician

Veterinary Technician I/II (CARE)

Classification Minimum Requirements are the baseline requirements for Staff Titles and Academic Titles found at the University of Florida.

Veterinary Technician I: High school diploma or equivalent and one year relevant experience. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Veterinary Technician II: Credential veterinary technician

Job Description

The Veterinary Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Technician is responsible for providing attentive, compassionate care to patients recovering from anesthesia. Working within the Anesthesia department, this role focuses on monitoring vital signs, managing pain, recognizing and responding to complications, and ensuring patient safety throughout recovery. The technician communicates effectively with hospital services to facilitate smooth patient transfers or discharge and maintains a clean, organized recovery environment. This full-time, benefited position is considered essential personnel and requires professionalism, teamwork, and ongoing commitment to learning and quality patient care.

This is a full-time, benefited position and is considered essential personnel. A post-offer education verification, background check, and health assessment are required.

The PACU technician is responsible for providing safe, attentive care to patients recovering from anesthesia. This includes monitoring vital signs, managing pain, and preparing patients for transfer back to their service or for discharge. The technician must be observant, proactive, and able to work independently while knowing when to seek assistance. Patient safety and comfort are priorities, with efforts made to reduce fear, stress, and anxiety during recovery.

Examples of this include but are not limited to the following:

• Anesthetic Recovery - Monitor patients closely through their anesthetic recovery until extubated, normothermic, fully conscious, and ambulatory.
• Monitoring Vitals - Track temperature, heart rate, and respiration; use advanced monitoring equipment as needed.
• Pain Management - Administer prescribed sedation and analgesics via approved routes as directed by a veterinarian.
• Emergency Response - Identify and respond quickly to complications such as respiratory distress, cardiac arrest, or hypothermia.
• Patient Care - Maintain clean bedding, perform catheter care, and check surgical sites for hemorrhage or complications.

Typical schedule will be Monday through Friday, 10:30am - 7:00pm and may require working earlier than 8:00 a.m. or later than 5:00 p.m. Schedule may change due to covering other shifts and it may be required to assist in other areas of the hospital depending on patient care needs.

Individuals are considered essential personnel which may include reporting to work during Main Campus closures.

Minimum Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent and one-year relevant experience. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Expected Salary

Non-credentialed/Tech I - $18 - $22 /hr

Credentialed/Tech II - $20 - $25 /hr

Preferred

Credentialed veterinary technician (CVT/LVT/RVT) preferred.

Proficiency in intubation and extubating techniques.

Expertise in pain assessment protocols (e.g., Glasgow Composite Pain Scale).

Experience with advanced anesthetic monitoring equipment (e.g., capnography).

Special Instructions to Applicants

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

This is a CARE position offering limited benefits, including health insurance and paid time off. When appropriate certifications are achieved, promotional opportunities to a level II title may be available. This position will also become eligible for transition into a TEAMS (staff) salary plan.

This position is eligible for Veteran's preference. If you are claiming Veteran's preference, please upload a copy of your DD 214 Member Copy 4 with your application for consideration. See our Veteran's Preference Page for more specific information.

Health Assessment Required

Yes; Must be able to lift a minimum of 40 lbs, bend, kneel, pull, push, twist and stand for an extended period of time.