Veterinary Technician, RVT, East Hants Animal Hospital

VCA Animal Hospitals; Elmsdale; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RRSP match

Paid time off for CE/education

Annual CE allowance

Uniform allowance

Mental health support tools

Career development pathways

Pet care discounts

Job summary

VCA Canada East Hants Animal Hospital in Elmsdale, Nova Scotia is seeking a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) to join our collaborative team. You will provide high-quality small-animal care alongside veterinarians, technicians and assistants in a busy clinical setting.

The role focuses on surgical assistance, anesthesia monitoring, client education and comprehensive patient care, with rotating shifts including some evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Completion of a Veterinary Technician or Animal Health Technician program, with eligibility for registration in the applicable province.
• Strong knowledge of patient care, anesthesia, pharmacology, and clinical procedures.
• Strong technical skills, including venipuncture, IV catheter placement, anesthesia monitoring, laboratory procedures, and patient assessment.
• Ability to safely handle and restrain animals using appropriate techniques.
• Excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Compassionate, patient-focused approach to animal care.
• Commitment to continuing education and ongoing professional development.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and schedules, including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians with examinations, diagnostics, treatments, surgeries, and medical procedures, including anesthesia monitoring and recovery.
• Place and maintain IV catheters and administer medications, fluids, and treatments; collect lab samples.
• Educate and communicate with clients on medications, treatments, nutrition, preventive care, and at-home care.
• Maintain accurate patient files and medical logs; manage inventory.
• Collaborate with team to deliver exceptional patient and client experience.
• Support, train and mentor new graduates and veterinary assistants.
• Assist with 8+ scheduled and walk-in appointments per day.

Skills

Patient care

Anesthesia monitoring

Venipuncture

Laboratory procedures

Team collaboration

Education & mentoring

Scheduling management

Education

Veterinary Technician program

Job description

Registered Veterinary Technician

Location: Elmsdale, Nova Scotia

Employment Type: Full-time

At East Hants Animal Hospital (EHAH), we welcome a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) to join our team in Elmsdale, Nova Scotia. This is an exciting opportunity for a Veterinary Technician or Veterinary Technologist to work alongside a collaborative team to provide high-quality small-animal patient care.

What You Will Do

• Clinical & Surgical Assistance: Assist veterinarians with examinations, diagnostics, treatments, surgeries, and medical procedures, including patient preparation, anesthesia monitoring, recovery, pain management, and surgical and dental procedures.
• Comprehensive Patient Care: Place and maintain IV catheters and administer medications, fluids, and treatments as directed. Collect and process blood, urine, cytology, and other laboratory samples.
• Client Education & Compassionate Support: Educate and communicate with clients on medications, treatments, nutrition, preventive care, and at-home patient care.
• Medical Records: Maintain accurate patient files, medical logs, and inventory.
• Team Collaboration: Work with team members to deliver an exceptional patient and client experience.
• Team Training: Support, train and mentor new graduates, including Veterinary Assistants.
• Patient Appointment: Assist with 8+ scheduled and walk-in appointments per day.

What You Bring

• Completion of a Veterinary Technician or Animal Health Technician program, with eligibility for registration in the applicable province.
• Strong knowledge of patient care, anesthesia, pharmacology, and clinical procedures.
• Strong technical skills, including venipuncture, IV catheter placement, anesthesia monitoring, laboratory procedures, and patient assessment.
• Ability to safely handle and restrain animals using appropriate techniques.
• Excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Compassionate, patient-focused approach to animal care.
• Commitment to continuing education and ongoing professional development.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and schedules. Rotating schedules available, including some evenings and weekends.

What We Can Offer You

• Competitive compensation that reflects your skills, experience, and the role.
• RRSP Employer Group Match Program (5%) to help you save for the future.
• Paid time off for continuing education, vacation, sick days, and personal wellness days.
• Annual CE Allowance.
• Benefits: Minimum 24 hours per week for eligibility, with flexible options.
• Paid annual certification memberships and uniform allowance.
• Mental health support tools and resources: Virtual health care (telemedicine), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and digital wellness tools supporting mindfulness, sleep, and physical fitness.
• Various career development pathways.
• Generous personal pet care discounts and lifestyle perks, including exclusive shopping discounts and access to a wellness app.

Our hospital

We have been proudly serving the East Hants region since 2019, providing the highest standard of medical, surgical, and dental care to our cherished community. At VCA Canada East Hants Animal Hospital, we don’t just care for pets we champion the people who care for them. Joining our team means stepping into a collaborative, tech-forward environment where your veterinary technician skills are fully utilized, valued and celebrated. We take immense pride in our vibrant connection to the local community; from rallying together for outreach initiatives to sharing everyday milestones, we are a dedicated team that loves to work hard, support one another, and celebrate together.

Our Story

VCA Canada is a network of veterinary hospitals, with our head office in Calgary, Alberta, committed to positively impacting pets, people, and local communities for nearly 45 years. We have compassion for the neighbourhoods we serve and every pet within them, not just those we see in our hospitals. Every VCA Canada hospital location takes pride in its legacy of excellence, earning the trust of pet owners by delivering the highest quality of medicine to keep pets happy and healthy.

In 2017, VCA Canada became part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of brands, solidifying an even stronger commitment to ensuring the strength and stability of the veterinary profession and our commitment to pet parents nationwide. VCA Canada is also passionate about providing an industry-leading Associate experience to over 4,000 Canadians employed across the country. In 2026, for the third year in a row, we were named one of Alberta’s Top Employers, which recognizes organizations whose head offices are located within the province and lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work. Additionally, we were selected as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People 2026, which recognizes employers across Canada that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work and programs for young people starting their careers. Most recently, we received 2026 Great Place to Work® Certification™ Canada.