ICU/CCU Veterinary Technician (Shift Lead) - Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists

Santa Cruz, CA

Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists

Specialty/ER

Full Time

PetVet Care Centers' Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists is currently seeking an ICU/CCU Veterinary Technician (Shift Lead) to join our 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

Our ICU technicians are at the forefront of patient care, working closely with emergency doctors, criticalists, surgeons, internists, and specialty teams to provide exceptional nursing care to some of the hospital's most complex and critically ill patients.
This is an exciting opportunity for a technician who enjoys advanced medicine, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is passionate about advocating for patients during every stage of their recovery.

At Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists, our ICU team provides the dedicated care that helps critically ill patients heal, recover, and return home to their families. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career where your skills truly make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Join us in delivering exceptional care when pets need it most.

Why Join Us?

Work at Santa Cruz County's only 24/7 Emergency and Specialty Veterinary Hospital
Collaborate with board-certified specialists in Surgery, Internal Medicine, Oncology, Critical Care, and Emergency Medicine
Practice high-level medicine utilizing advanced diagnostics and treatments
Expand your technical and nursing skills in a supportive learning environment
Be part of a team that values collaboration, accountability, and compassionate patient care
Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement

Key Responsibilities

Monitor and care for critically ill and hospitalized patients
Administer medications, treatments, and advanced nursing care
Monitor anesthesia recovery and post-operative patients
Perform and assist with blood draws, catheter placement, diagnostics, and treatments
Collaborate closely with doctors and specialty services to execute treatment plans
Provide exceptional patient advocacy and attention to detail
Communicate with team members to ensure continuity of care throughout hospitalization

Qualifications (Required)

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to be considered for this position
High school diploma or GED.
Emergency and/or specialty veterinary experience
Experience calculating and administering CRIs
Confidence with venipuncture and IVC care
Strong technical and patient care skills
Ability to remain calm and focused in a fast-paced environment
Commitment to teamwork and exceptional patient advocacy
Passion for learning and advancing veterinary medicine

Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)

Previous ICU experience
Experience in emergency, specialty, or critical care medicine is preferred but not required

Schedule:

Wednesday - Saturday from 6AM-4:30PM. We can add a 4th shift in another department if requested.
Must be able to work at least 1 weekend shift a week and some holidays.

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

$23—$28 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 400 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

PetVet respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.  Please see our privacy notice for additional information about our data practices.

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