Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT)

West Milwaukee Veterinary Care; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 48,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

West Milwaukee Veterinary Care is seeking a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) to support veterinarians in exams, anesthesia, and surgery. You will perform nursing duties, manage anesthesia, assist with radiographs and in-house tests, and help educate clients while maintaining complete medical records.

This role requires attention to detail, strong communication, and a compassionate approach to pets and their families in a fast-paced clinical environment.

Qualifications

• Current Certified Veterinary Technician license in good standing (CVT/LVT/RVT).
• Knowledge of anesthesia, pharmacology, laboratory procedures, and patient nursing care.
• Ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced clinical environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality patient care and support veterinarians during appointments and procedures.
• Perform nursing duties and ensure safe anesthesia and surgical patient management.

Skills

CVT license in good standing

Anesthesia knowledge

Laboratory procedures

Patient nursing care

Strong communication

Job description

Join our dynamic veterinary team as a Veterinary Technician, where your passion for animal care and technical expertise will make a meaningful difference in the lives of pets and their owners. In this vital role, you will assist veterinarians in providing top-tier medical care, perform diagnostic procedures, and ensure a safe and comfortable environment for animals. Your energetic approach and attention to detail will help us deliver exceptional service while fostering a compassionate atmosphere for our furry patients.

Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) – Surgery & Exam Room Technician

Position Title: Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT)
Reports To: Medical Director / Practice Manager
Department: Clinical Team

Position Summary

The Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) is responsible for providing high-quality patient care, supporting veterinarians during appointments and procedures, performing technical nursing duties, and ensuring safe anesthesia and surgical patient management. This role combines responsibilities in both exam room and surgical settings and serves as a key clinical resource within the hospital.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Exam Room Responsibilities

Patient Assessment & Nursing Care

• Obtain accurate patient histories and document findings in the medical record.
• Perform patient assessments including:
• Weight
• Temperature
• Pulse
• Respiratory rate
• Behavioral observations
• Identify patient concerns and communicate findings to the veterinarian.
• Assist veterinarians during examinations and treatments.
• Collect and process diagnostic samples including:
• Blood
• Urine
• Fecal samples
• Cytology samples
• Perform in-house laboratory testing.
• Prepare and submit samples to outside laboratories.
• Review laboratory results and notify veterinarians of abnormalities.

Treatments & Procedures

• Administer medications and treatments as prescribed by the veterinarian.
• Place and maintain intravenous catheters.
• Administer intravenous, subcutaneous, and intramuscular injections.
• Perform radiographs and assist with diagnostic imaging.
• Assist with wound care, bandage changes, and nursing treatments.
• Monitor hospitalized and outpatient treatment patients.

Client Communication & Education

• Review treatment plans and estimates with clients.
• Educate clients on medications, home care instructions, and preventive care.
• Provide discharge instructions and answer client questions.
• Ensure clients understand recommended diagnostics and treatments.

Medical Records

• Maintain accurate and complete medical records.
• Document diagnostics, treatments, medications, and patient responses.
• Complete assigned tasks and follow-ups within the practice management system (PIMS).

Surgery Responsibilities

Surgical Preparation

• Review surgical schedule and patient records.
• Verify consent forms and treatment plans.
• Perform pre-anesthetic patient assessments.
• Collect and process pre-operative laboratory work.
• Calculate anesthetic and surgical drug dosages.
• Place intravenous catheters and initiate fluid therapy.
• Induce anesthesia under veterinary supervision.
• Prepare and clip surgical sites utilizing aseptic technique.

Anesthesia Monitoring

• Monitor patients throughout anesthesia and recovery.
• Record and track:
• Heart rate
• Respiratory rate
• Blood pressure
• Temperature
• Anesthetic depth
• Identify and respond appropriately to anesthetic complications.
• Adjust anesthetic support as directed by the veterinarian.

Surgical Assistance

• Maintain sterile technique at all times.
• Prepare and organize surgical instruments and supplies.
• Assist with patient positioning and surgical setup.
• Ensure all equipment is functioning properly before procedures.

Recovery & Post-Operative Care

• Closely monitor patient recovery from anesthesia.
• Administer post-operative medications as prescribed.
• Assess pain levels and patient comfort.
• Document recovery observations and treatments.
• Provide discharge instructions to clients.

Surgical Suite Maintenance

• Clean and disinfect surgical and treatment areas.
• Sterilize instruments and maintain surgical packs.
• Monitor surgery inventory and supply levels.
• Ensure compliance with hospital sanitation and safety standards.

Leadership & Team Support

• Serve as a clinical resource for assistants and support staff.
• Assist with training and mentoring veterinary assistants.
• Promote efficient patient flow and hospital operations.
• Maintain professionalism and a positive team environment.
• Support hospital initiatives, protocols, and standards of care.

Qualifications

• Current Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT/LVT/RVT) license in good standing.
• Knowledge of anesthesia, pharmacology, laboratory procedures, and patient nursing care.
• Strong communication and client education skills.
• Ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with veterinary medical records and practice management software.

Performance Expectations

A successful CVT consistently:

• Provides safe and effective anesthesia monitoring.
• Maintains accurate and timely medical records.
• Demonstrates strong technical nursing skills.
• Supports veterinarians efficiently during appointments and surgery.
• Delivers exceptional patient care and client service.
• Maintains a clean, organized, and compliant clinical environment.
• Contributes positively to team culture and workflow efficiency.

National Veterinary Associates (NVA) is a leading North American pet health care company with nearly 1,300 locations spanning general practice veterinary hospitals, Ethos emergency and specialty hospitals, and pet resorts and equine veterinary care. With approximately 40,000 team members, we care for pets and support pet families in communities across the United States and Canada. Our purpose is to give pets and the people who love them more quality years together, and our mission is to make care more personal, easy and accessible while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life. Across NVA, we support our teams with the resources, expertise and opportunities they need to deliver exceptional care and help shape the future of veterinary and pet care.

Purpose

Give pets and the people who love them more quality years together

Mission

Transform the pet family experience to be personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life.

Values

Care Deeply, Do What’s Right, One Team, Own It, Shape What’s Next

One NVA: Bringing General Practice & Ethos Together

NVA is built to make care personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine across every stage of a pet’s life.

At National Veterinary Associates, we want to make sure your experience connecting with us is seamless and straightforward. Here’s what to expect when interacting with us:

- We’ll always reach out via verified LinkedIn profiles or emails ending in @nva.com

- We may also contact you via text message from an identified NVA representative for recruiting-related communication

- All job opportunities and applications are hosted on our official careers site: careers.nva.com

- There is no cost or confidential information required to apply or be considered for a position

If you have any doubts about a communication, feel free to visit our careers page to verify authenticity or email us at [e-mail]. Thank you for exploring opportunities at NVA!

NVA offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, a 401k with employer match, and paid time off (including sick time) for all eligible employees. The team can provide more information about compensation and benefits for your specific location during the process. For positions based in Colorado, NVA provides eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave and public health emergency leave in accordance with the requirements of Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.

NVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.