Emergency & Critical Care Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS)

Cerro Alto Specialty and Emergency Hospital; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Paid sick time and vacation

CE allowance

License renewal fees covered

Scrub allowance

AtDove membership

Collaborative workplace culture

Opportunity to live in San Luis Obispo

Job summary

Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital seeks an Emergency & Critical Care Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) to provide advanced nursing care for critically ill patients. You will work closely with ER doctors and specialty teams through stabilization and recovery with a focus on high-acuity medicine.

This on-site, full-time role offers competitive hourly pay of $38.50–$43.50 with overnight and weekend differentials, plus a yearly CE allowance, license renewal coverage,

Qualifications

• Current Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) license is required.
• Experience in emergency or specialty settings preferred.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to prioritize, multitask, and remain calm in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to learn and continue developing clinical skills.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced nursing care and critical care monitoring for unstable and critically ill patients.
• Assess patient status and communicate changes to the veterinary team.
• Assist with stabilization and management, including CPR and advanced life support.
• Perform and assist with advanced procedures (intubation, central lines, blood products).
• Monitor anesthesia and sedation with advanced airway support as needed.
• Coordinate diagnostics, lab work, imaging, and point-of-care testing.
• Develop and adjust treatment plans with the attending veterinarian.
• Manage fluids, analgesia, nutrition, and other critical care aspects.
• Maintain detailed medical records and documentation.
• Collaborate with ER/ICU, surgery, internal medicine, and other services.
• Mentor RVTs, assistants, and staff; support team development.
• Communicate with clients about status and care plans.

Skills

VTS license

Emergency experience

Communication

Teamwork

Prioritize multitask

Willingness to learn

Reliable attendance

Job description

Emergency & Critical Care Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS)

About Us: Why Cerro Alto?

Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital is a privately owned specialty and emergency practice committed to both healing and education. Our team of board-certified specialists, experienced emergency doctors, registered veterinary technicians, assistants, and client service professionals work collaboratively to provide exceptional medical care while fostering a supportive, respectful, and positive workplace.

As a new, state-of-the-art facility, we are equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies, including a 128-slice CT scanner, fluoroscopy, digital radiology, ultrasound, arthroscopy, laparoscopy, and endoscopy. Our hospital includes full-time boarded surgery, radiology, and oncology services, part-time cardiology and internal medicine services, and a 24/7 emergency department supported by experienced emergency veterinarians.

At Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital, we are deeply committed to mentorship, continuing education, and professional growth. We recognize the demands of veterinary medicine and strive to balance clinical excellence with sustainability, teamwork, and long-term career fulfillment.

Position Overview: Emergency & Critical Care Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS)

As a member of our ER/ICU team, you will provide advanced nursing care for critically ill and unstable patients while working closely with our emergency doctors and specialty teams. You will take an active role in managing complex cases, supporting advanced procedures, and guiding patient care from initial stabilization through recovery. This position is ideal for an experienced ECC VTS who enjoys high-acuity medicine, advanced nursing care, and serving as a clinical resource for the team.

Employment decisions are made without regard to protected characteristics under federal, state, or local law.

• Provide advanced nursing care and critical care monitoring for unstable and critically ill patients
• Assess patient status, recognize changes in condition, and communicate concerns and recommendations to the veterinary team
• Assist with stabilization and management of emergency and critical patients, including CPR and advanced life support
• Perform and assist with advanced procedures, including intubation, mechanical ventilation, central line placement, blood product administration, and other critical care interventions as appropriate
• Monitor patients under anesthesia and sedation, including those requiring advanced airway or ventilatory support
• Coordinate and perform diagnostics, laboratory testing, imaging, and point-of-care testing
• Develop, implement, and adjust patient treatment plans in collaboration with the attending veterinarian
• Manage fluid therapy, analgesia, nutritional support, and other aspects of critical care as directed by the veterinarian
• Maintain detailed and accurate medical records and treatment documentation
• Collaborate closely with ER/ICU, surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, radiology, oncology, and other specialty services
• Serve as a clinical resource and mentor for RVTs, Veterinary Assistants, Hospital Assistants, and other team members
• Support training and development of the ER/ICU team in critical care procedures and patient management
• Communicate with clients regarding patient status, treatment plans, and ongoing care as directed by the veterinarian

These duties represent the essential functions of the position but are not intended to be an exhaustive list.

Qualifications & Skills

• Current Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) license (required)
• Previous experience in emergency, specialty, or other high-acuity veterinary settings (required)
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Ability to prioritize, multitask, and remain calm in a fast-paced environment
• Willingness to learn, grow, and continue developing clinical skills
• Reliable attendance and punctuality

Scheduling & Availability Requirements

• This position is based in a 24/7 emergency and specialty hospital.
• For full-time: reliable availability to work three to four 10-hour shifts or four to five 8-hour shifts
• For part-time: reliable availability to work at least two 10-hour shifts or two 8-hour shifts

Requests for schedule modifications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may be considered where reasonable and consistent with business operations and applicable law.

What We Offer

• Compensation of $38.50-$43.50 per hour based on experience and skill level
• A yearly CE allowance of $1500, as well as covered license renewal fees separate from this allowance for eligible employees
• Comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid sick time and vacation time for eligible employees
• A yearly scrub allowance of $200 for eligible employees
• An AtDove membership to support clinical growth and development
• A collaborative, respectful workplace culture
• Exposure to emergency and specialty veterinary medicine in a modern facility
• The opportunity to live and work in San Luis Obispo, with access to outdoor recreation, wineries, and a vibrant community

Shift Differentials

We recognize the value of overnight and weekend coverage and offer additional compensation for eligible hours worked:

• Overnight Differential : +$3.00/hour for hours worked between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM
• Weekend Differential : +$3.00/hour for hours worked between Friday at 8:00 PM and Monday at 6:00 AM

These differentials are separate and cumulative. Team members working eligible overnight hours during the weekend differential period may earn both differentials, providing the opportunity to earn up to an additional $6.00/hour above their base rate.

Join Our Team!

If you are an experienced veterinary professional looking to grow your career in emergency and specialty medicine, we would love to hear from you! Join us in shaping the future of veterinary medicine while making a meaningful impact on the lives of pets and their families.

For more information about Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital, visit our website at www.cerroaltovet.com. We look forward to welcoming you to the Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital team!

The pay range for this role is:

38 - 43.50 USD per hour (Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital)