Emergency Veterinary Technician

Carolina Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital; Hickory (NC); On-site; USD 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Life insurance

Employee assistance and mental health

Employee pet care discounts

Professional licensure support

Job summary

Carolina Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital (CASE) in Hickory, NC is hiring an Emergency Veterinary Technician to support our Emergency and Critical Care team. This full-time role offers 12-hour shifts (6:00 AM-6:00 PM or 6:00 PM-6:00 AM) and opportunities to work with skilled surgeons, clinicians, and ICU staff.

We seek experienced RVTs or motivated Veterinary Assistants for fast-paced emergencies. Responsibilities include nursing care, venipuncture, IV placement, patient monitoring,

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Veterinary Technician or Veterinary Assistant required.
• Experience in Emergency, Critical Care, ICU, Specialty, Urgent Care, or high-volume General Practice strongly preferred.
• RVT credential preferred; RECOVER CPR certification preferred or willingness to obtain.
• Strong communication, teamwork, organization, and critical-thinking skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on nursing care for emergency, critical care, and hospitalized patients.
• Assist veterinarians with emergency exams, treatments, procedures, and patient stabilization.
• Perform venipuncture, IV catheter placement, medication administration, fluid therapy, and laboratory diagnostics.
• Monitor patient vital signs, pain, sedation, treatment response, and changes in condition.
• Assist with radiology, anesthesia, wound care, oxygen therapy, and emergency procedures.
• Prepare and monitor patients for surgery and advanced diagnostics.
• Support CPR and emergency response when needed.
• Maintain accurate medical records and communicate patient updates effectively.

Job description

Emergency Veterinary Technician

Department: Veterinary Technicians

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hickory, North Carolina

Reporting To: Ashlin White

Compensation: $21.00 - $26.00 / hour

Description

Bring Your Emergency Veterinary Skills to CASE

Carolina Animal Specialty and Emergency (CASE) | Hickory, NC

Full-Time | 12-Hour Shifts Available on First Shift and Swing Shift

CASE is growing our Emergency and Critical Care team and is currently hiring Emergency Veterinary Technicians to support three open positions created by team growth, transfers, and departmental movement.

We’re looking for experienced Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVT), and skilled Veterinary Assistants who thrive in a fast-paced emergency environment and want to practice alongside experienced Emergency, Critical Care, Surgery, and Specialty teams.

We are hiring for:

• Day Shift: 6:00 AM-6:00 PM
• Day Shift: 8:00 AM-8:00 PM
• Evening Shift: 2:00 PM-2:00 AM

What You’ll Do

• Provide hands-on nursing care for emergency, critical care, and hospitalized patients
• Assist veterinarians with emergency exams, treatments, procedures, and patient stabilization
• Perform venipuncture, IV catheter placement, medication administration, fluid therapy, and laboratory diagnostics
• Monitor patient vital signs, pain, sedation, treatment response, and changes in condition
• Assist with radiology, anesthesia, wound care, oxygen therapy, and emergency procedures
• Prepare and monitor patients for surgery and advanced diagnostics
• Support CPR and emergency response when needed
• Maintain accurate medical records and communicate patient updates effectively
• Work closely with Emergency, Critical Care, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Anesthesia, and other specialty teams
• Provide compassionate care and clear communication for clients during stressful situations

What We’re Looking For

• Previous experience as a Veterinary Technician or Veterinary Assistant required
• Experience in Emergency, Critical Care, ICU, Specialty, Urgent Care, or high-volume General Practice strongly preferred
• Strong skills in:
  • Animal restraint and patient handling
  • Venipuncture and IV catheter placement
  • Laboratory diagnostics and sample collection
  • Medication administration and fluid therapy
  • Patient monitoring and nursing care
  • Emergency response and stabilization
• RVT credential preferred
• RECOVER CPR certification preferred or willingness to obtain
• Strong communication, teamwork, organization, and critical-thinking skills
• Ability to remain calm and focused in a fast-paced emergency veterinary hospital

Experienced Veterinary Assistants with strong clinical, emergency, ICU, or high-volume veterinary experience are encouraged to apply.

Physical & Clinical Requirements

This is an active emergency hospital position requiring the ability to:

• Stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, and remain active throughout 12-hour shifts
• Safely lift, carry, restrain, and position patients up to 50 lbs. with assistance when appropriate
• Perform repetitive technical tasks including venipuncture, catheter placement, medication administration, patient monitoring, and equipment operation
• Work around blood, bodily fluids, sharps, medical gases, anesthetic agents, cleaning products, and animal dander
• Respond quickly during emergencies and CPR situations
• Adapt to changing priorities in a high-volume Emergency and Specialty hospital

Grow Your Surgery and Anesthesia Career

• Continuing education allowance + paid CE time
• Paid training and specialty skill development
• Tuition reimbursement opportunities
• Specialty technician growth and leadership development
• Licensure renewal support
• Student loan assistance opportunities
• Career advancement within the Innovetive Petcare network
• Mentorship from experienced surgeons, anesthetists, and specialty clinicians

Eligible recently credentialed RVTs may also qualify for HeadStart Student Loan Support, including student loan assistance and professional development resources.

Full-Time Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Life insurance
• Employee assistance and mental health resources
• Employee pet care discounts
• Professional membership and licensure support

Why Hickory?

Build your career with a growing Emergency and Specialty veterinary hospital in Hickory, NC, with easy access to Charlotte, Asheville, and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Ready to Advance Your Career in Emergency Medicine?

If you’re an experienced Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) or Veterinary Assistant looking for an opportunity to practice advanced medicine, we want to meet you.