Licensed Veterinary Technician (Surgery)

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.

Signing Bonus Eligibility:

• Up to $3,000 Sign-On Bonus
• Must commit to a full-time schedule
• Requires a one-year commitment
• Bonus is subject to repayment if employment ends before the one-year anniversary

Position Overview

• The Surgery Technician provides effective and timely support for the staff Surgeon and works closely with clients, surgery patients, emergency patients, and staff members.  The surgery technician is responsible for providing the highest quality nursing care as directed by the Surgeon and staff veterinarians, providing excellent customer service including greeting and assisting clients who seek medical services, gathering patient information, and keeping clients up to date on their pet’s status while in the care of the Surgery team.

Basic Skills

• Able to work in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment while maintaining composure and professional demeanor
• Able to work well with others in a supportive and collaborative environment
• Able to restrain, lift, and transport patients safely
• Able to learn basic computer systems including but not limited to Microsoft Office and Outlook as well as veterinary-based software systems
• Provide excellent customer service and maintain a professional demeanor via phone and in-person while assisting clients
• Obtain and record accurate patient information including but not limited to signalment, health history, and medication regimens
• Keep clients up to date on their pet’s status while in the care of the Surgery team and inform clients on care plans, financial costs, and policies.
• Communicates any concerns directly to Surgery manager in a timely manner

Job Duties

• Perform and assist in patient procedures/appointments in the areas of Cardiology, Surgery, Radiology, Emergency, and Critical Care medicine
• Maintain patient comfort and cleanliness both preemptively and actively
• Administer high quality patient care through timely monitoring and completion of treatments as directed by Surgeon or staff DVM and immediately reports change in patient condition
• Accurately calculate and administer drug doses/dosages, IV fluid rates, and fluid additives for continuous rate infusion
• Perform basic skills including but not limited to venipuncture, IV catheterization, and urinary catheterization
• Perform automated laboratory tests including but not limited to use of in-house equipment such as Catalyst, VetStat, ProCyte, Heska EPOC, and SCA2000
• Safely perform various radiographic techniques on alert, sedated, and anesthetized patients
• Perform manual laboratory analysis including but not limited to blood smear evaluation, PCV/TS, blood typing and cross-matching, fecal analysis, and urinalysis
• Learn and perform advanced skills including but not limited to intermittent positive pressure ventilation, local/regional nerve blocks including epidurals, placement of arterial lines and invasive blood pressure monitoring, placement of nasogastric tubes, and placement of central IV lines
• Induce, monitor, and recover patients from anesthesia for elective and emergent surgical procedures
• Scrub in and assist with surgical procedures while maintaining asepsis
• Assists in equipment maintenance and regular quality control procedures as needed.
• Trouble shoots equipment failure and reports issues to Surgery or Facilities manager.
• Cleans and sterilizes surgical instruments in a timely fashion; Reports broken or dull instruments to the Surgery manager.
• Perform other medical tasks under appropriate supervision as dictated in WAC 246-935-050

Hospital Environment

• Maintains a clean and safe work environment for patients, clients, and all staff members, including the use of PPE where indicated
• Can tolerate loud noises generated by medical equipment and patients

Education

• High school diploma or GED
• Graduation from certified Veterinary Technology program
• Current or eligible for licensure in state of Washington
• Minimum of 2 years in veterinary field
• Experience in specialty veterinary medicine is preferred but not required

Qualifications (Required)

• High School Diploma or GED
• Licensed Veterinary Technician in Washington or ability to become Licensed in the State of Washington if licensed in another state within 90 days of hire
• Excellent Written and Verbal Communication skills
• The ability to lift, push and pull up to 40lbs
• Ability to withstand long hours of standing, squatting, kneeling and walking
• Basic computer skills
• Adapt to an ever-changing work environment
• Maintain objectivity during highly stressful/emotional situations
• Keep a positive and professional demeanor during interactions with clients and team members, leading by example
• Has 2 or more years of Surgery / Anesthesia experience

Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)

• Function as charge nurse in respective department/area.
• Provide excellent documentation including client communications, treatments, anesthetic monitoring, and controlled drug logs (Cubex)
• Ability to give clear and concise rounds with relevant patient information
• Educate other staff members with your skills/knowledge whenever possible
• Proficient in phlebotomy, cystocentesis, canine urinary catheter placement and NG tube placement.
• Able to perform treatments/fluid therapy when given dose
• Ability to perform CPR including chest compressions, intubation, and breath administration. Direct others during a code.
• Ability to collect vital, pertinent information from distraught owners when patients are critical.
• Ability to perform advanced laboratory skills including cell morphology review, urine dry prep slide review and fecal review.
• Excellent/effective triage skills including being able to communicate with client status of patient and treatments we are implementing
• Ability to perform phone triage confidently, kindly, and effectively with clients.
• Start immediate stabilization on patients under doctor direction
• Understand relevant CBC/CHEM values
• Understand the use, common doses and contraindications of all medications administered
• Blood transfusion therapy including collection, administration, and transfusion reactions
• Albumin/Plasma transfusion therapy including administration and transfusion reactions
• Identify obvious murmurs, arrythmias and pulse deficits
• Excellent anesthetic skills with knowledge of common side effects and immediate actions necessary to combat them.
• Ability to monitor and record sedation/anesthetic events with confidence
• Know anesthetic medications, their normal range for dosing, side effects, and contraindications

Schedule

• Wednesday to Friday; 7AM-7PM
• May have to stay late for emergency surgeries.

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