Community Registered Veterinary Technician – Senior (Tier 2)

Placer SPCA; Roseville, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 39,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Placer SPCA seeks a Community Registered Veterinary Technician – Senior (Tier 2) in California. This experienced RVT provides advanced patient care, anesthesia management, and diagnostic support in a community clinic, mentoring Tier 1 staff and promoting Fear Free workflows.

You will conduct wellness and sick visits, ensure proper documentation, and uphold high standards of client communication and veterinary collaboration in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• Must be a California Registered Veterinary Technician.
• Fear Free Certification or ability to obtain within 90 days.
• Strong communication skills with clients and team.

Responsibilities

• Independently support wellness and sick visits, triage, and planning within RVT scope.
• Manage anesthesia induction, monitoring, and recovery; report status changes to DVM.
• Place IV catheters, administer fluids, assist analgesia, monitor pain.
• Perform dental scaling/polish and dental radiography assistance.
• Collect/process lab samples and support for bloodwork.

Skills

RVT Credential

Client communication

Fear Free

Mentoring

Driving license

Education

California RVT license

Tools

IDEXX Neo

Job description

Community Registered Veterinary Technician – Senior (Tier 2)

Community Registered Veterinary Technician – Senior (Tier 2)

DEPARTMENT

Community Veterinary Services

ACCOUNTABILITY

Community Veterinary Hospital Manager & Community Veterinarian(s)

FUNCTION

The Community RVT – Senior (Tier 2) is an experienced California registered veterinary technician who provides skilled, compassionate patient care in a community clinic setting. This role independently supports wellness and sick visits, manages anesthesia and surgical nursing responsibilities, performs advanced diagnostics, and contributes to mentoring developing teammates.

Tier 2 RVTs demonstrate sound clinical judgment, strong client communication, reliability, and help maintain calm, efficient, Fear Free, and spectrum-of-care-aligned workflows. This position is ideal for technicians with solid clinical competency who enjoy supporting clients, strengthening team skills, and promoting a collaborative learning culture.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Care & Technical Skills

• Independently support wellness and minor sick visits, triage, and diagnostic planning within RVT scope. *
• Perform anesthesia induction, adjustments, monitoring, and recovery management; recognize and promptly communicate patient status changes to DVM. *
• Place IV catheters, administer fluids, assist analgesic protocols, and perform pain-score monitoring. *
• Perform dental scaling and polishing under veterinary direction; assist with dental radiography and charting as trained. *
• Collect and process lab samples (fecal, urinalysis, cytology prep; support for bloodwork and send-outs). *
• Administer vaccines, microchips, and parasite control under veterinary supervision. *
• Perform humane euthanasia in accordance with organizational protocols, state regulations, and emotional-wellbeing standards, following required training and demonstrating compassion and professionalism. *
• Perform patient monitoring and deliver day-of-care support for animals receiving short-stay or same-day services.*
• Independently monitor and support animals housed in the clinic, including:
  • Pre- and post-surgical or dental patients. *
  • Observation case(s). *
  • Short-stay hospitalization/medical-monitoring patients. *
  • Assess hydration, comfort, mobility, pain levels, appetite, and elimination; implement supportive care within medical direction. *
  • Maintain clean, safe, low-stress housing and recovery areas, including bedding changes, hygiene assistance, and kennel refresh. *
• Apply Fear Free methods to reduce stress and support emotional wellbeing. *
• Document and report changes in patient condition clearly and promptly to a veterinarian. *

Client Communication & Support

• Support the establishment and maintenance of VCPR by conducting history, preventive-care education, and patient preparation during wellness appointments under veterinary supervision, while consistently demonstrating professional communication and Spectrum-of-Care–aligned guidance. *
• Deliver clear, empathetic discharge instructions and medication guidance by reviewing treatment expectations, demonstrating proper home‑care techniques, and ensuring clients feel confident and supported in conducting the recommended care plan. *
• Support Spectrum-of-Care decisions by providing accessible client communication and compassionate education that helps owners understand realistic options and make informed choices. *
• Serve as a technical resource and provide informal training to Tier 1 RVTs and Veterinary Assistants. *
• Model calm, professional, collaborative behavior and reinforce Fear Free approaches. *
• Maintain accurate medical records and controlled‑substance compliance. *
• Participate in inventory management, equipment maintenance, and clean/organized workspaces. *
• Support a positive, inclusive team culture and help ensure efficient clinical workflows. *

* Essential functions of the job.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be at least 21 years of age to meet legal requirements associated with the duties of this role.
• Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in the State of California.
• Minimum three plus years of hands‑on RVT experience; community veterinary hospital experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated skill in diagnostic sample collection, processing, and performing RVT‑level technical procedures.
• Fear Free Certified, or ability to obtain certification within 90 days of employment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain medical concepts to clients in accessible, compassionate language.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to follow structured protocols, treatment plans, and controlled‑substance procedures.
• Experience with IDEXX Neo preferred; willingness and ability to learn new practice‑management software required.
• Ability to safely and compassionately handle animals in accordance with Fear Free and low‑stress handling principles.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organization, and critical‑thinking skills.
• Ability to mentor others in a supportive, peer‑based manner.
• Must possess a valid California driver’s license and maintain a driving record that meets the requirements of the organization’s insurance provider.
• Must be able to safely lift and carry supplies or animals weighing up to fifty pounds with assistance.
• Required to operate a motor vehicle to travel between facilities, attend meetings and special events, run errands, etc. as needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Position classification: Non-exempt, Full‑time
• Starting salary range: $28.00 – $32.50/hour, based on experience and demonstrated skills.
• Position salary range: $28.00-$36.00/hour with merit‑based adjustments in accordance with organizational policy.
• Work schedule: 40 hours work week, including a weekend day, some holidays and evenings, and occasional overtime.
• Regular exposure to animals that may be sick, injured, aggressive, unruly, or deceased.
• Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, parasites, cleaning chemicals, and facility maintenance substances.
• Frequent interaction with the public in a dynamic, fast‑paced, and at times stressful environment.
• Work performed in an emotionally charged setting that requires resilience, adaptability, and sound judgment.
• Position requires willingness to attend training programs to maintain and enhance skills as identified and needed.
• Compliance with PSPCA Employee Policy Manual required.