Emergency Veterinary Technician – Overnight ER/ICU

NVA General Practice; Metairie (LA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Continuing education opportunities

Uniform allowance after 90 days

Employee discounts on services and/or

Job summary

Metairie Small Animal Hospital (MSAH) in Metairie, LA is seeking an Overnight Emergency Veterinary Technician to join our ER team. You’ll care for urgent and hospitalized patients alongside experienced veterinarians, with a focus on patient advocacy, teamwork, and ongoing skill development.

We welcome credentialed and non-credentialed RVT/LVT/CVT candidates with hands-on experience. Expect three 12-hour or four 10-hour overnight shifts, a supportive learning environment, and opportunities for

Qualifications

• Hands-on veterinary technician experience required.
• ER/ICU or critical care experience is a plus.
• Comfortable working with high-acuity hospitalized patients.

Responsibilities

• Triage and assess incoming emergencies.
• Provide nursing care for hospitalized/critically ill patients.
• Assist veterinarians with exams, diagnostics, treatments, and procedures.

Skills

ER experience

Teamwork

Communication

Dependable

Patient care

Education

Licensed RVT/LVT/CVT credential

Tools

Radiography

Monitors/IV equipment

Job description

Full-Time | Metairie, LA | Greater New Orleans Area

24/7 Emergency & Critical Care Veterinary Hospital

Are you an experienced veterinary professional who thrives when the pace picks up?

Metairie Small Animal Hospital (MSAH) is seeking an Overnight Emergency Veterinary Technician to join our dedicated ER team in Metairie, Louisiana. This is an opportunity to work hands-on in a hospital where teamwork, clinical growth, and patient advocacy are at the center of what we do.

We're open to credentialed and non-credentialed candidates with a veterinary technician background. What matters most is hands-on experience, a strong work ethic, dependability, and the drive to continue developing your emergency medicine skills.

About Metairie Small Animal Hospital

For more than 80 years, MSAH has provided veterinary care to pets throughout Metairie and the Greater New Orleans area.

Our Hospital Provides a Unique Combination Of

• 24/7 emergency and critical care
• Dedicated overnight ER services
• 24-hour ICU and hospitalized patient care
• General practice
• Advanced and specialty surgery
• CT imaging and advanced diagnostics
• Oncology services
• Dentistry and ophthalmology
• Residency-trained surgical expertise

We are also a Fear Free and Cat Friendly practice with a long-tenured team and a strong focus on education, collaboration, and high-quality patient care.

What You'll Do

As an Overnight ER Veterinary Technician, you'll work alongside our emergency veterinarians and dedicated overnight team caring for urgent, critical, and hospitalized patients.

Responsibilities May Include

• Triage and assess incoming emergency patients
• Recognize changes in patient condition and communicate concerns quickly
• Provide nursing care for hospitalized and critically ill patients
• Assist veterinarians with emergency exams, diagnostics, treatments, and procedures
• Perform venipuncture and place IV catheters
• Administer medications, fluid therapy, and prescribed treatments
• Run in-house laboratory diagnostics and prepare samples
• Take and process digital radiographs
• Monitor anesthesia and assist with emergency surgical procedures and recovery
• Operate patient monitoring and medical equipment
• Maintain accurate electronic medical records and treatment sheets
• Communicate effectively during patient rounds and shift transitions
• Provide compassionate care to patients and support pet owners during stressful situations
• Work collaboratively with the ER and ICU teams to prioritize care as caseload changes throughout the night

What We're Looking For

• Previous hands-on veterinary technician experience required
• Non-credentialed and Credentialed RVT/LVT/CVT candidates are encouraged to apply
• Previous ER, ICU, emergency, or critical care experience is a plus
• Comfortable working with hospitalized and higher-acuity patients
• Strong animal handling and patient care skills
• Ability to prioritize and remain composed when multiple emergencies arrive at once
• Dependable, motivated, and willing to jump in where needed
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Desire to learn and continue developing emergency veterinary skills

Overnight Schedule

• Full-Time
• Dedicated overnight ER schedule
• Typically three 12-hour shifts or four 10-hour shifts
• Overnight shifts generally begin between 6:00–7:00 PM
• Overnight coverage continues through approximately 6:00 AM, when the day team transitions in
• Weekend availability required
• Open availability is strongly preferred
• Scheduling may vary as we continue expanding and restructuring our ER coverage

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive hourly compensation based on veterinary experience, technical skill, and credentials
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Continuing education and professional development opportunities
• Regular educational opportunities within the hospital
• $225 uniform allowance after 90 days
• 50% employee discount on veterinary services after 90 days
• 25% employee discount on goods after 90 days
• Free heartworm and flea/tick prevention for personal pets after 90 days

Why Join the Overnight ER Team at MSAH?

Emergency medicine requires a team you can rely on.

Our overnight team is a dedicated ER crew that works together to manage changing caseloads, prioritize critical patients, and support one another throughout the night. You'll gain exposure to a wide variety of emergency and critical care cases while working within a hospital that also offers ICU, advanced diagnostics, specialty surgery, CT, and other advanced services.

MSAH is also a teaching-focused hospital. We regularly create opportunities for our team to learn, whether through hands-on mentorship, hospital education, vendor training, or exposure to new procedures and technology.

If you're searching for an Overnight Veterinary Technician, Emergency Veterinary Technician, ER Vet Tech, or ICU Veterinary Technician job in Metairie, New Orleans, or Southeast Louisiana, this is an opportunity to build your emergency medicine skills while becoming part of an experienced veterinary team.