Emergency Veterinary Technician (Swing) - Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists

PetVet Care Centers; Soquel (CA); On-site; USD 37,195 - 41,328; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid parental leave

401(k) with discretionary contribution

Team member pet discounts

Emotional wellbeing support

CE stipends and career development resources

Job summary

PetVet Care Centers is seeking an experienced Emergency Veterinary Technician (Swing) to join their team in California. This role involves assisting veterinarians with patient care, managing emergency cases, and maintaining a sterile, organized environment. Candidates should have at least 3 years of experience in emergency care, proficiency in IV catheter placement, and solid CPR skills. Competitive pay ($27-$30 per hour) and benefits include medical insurance, 401(k), and CE stipends.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience handling emergency cases.
• Ability to perform accurate medical calculations.
• Experience with sedation and general anesthesia.

Responsibilities

• Prepare for shifts by stocking and setting up equipment.
• Assist with anesthesia and monitor patients.
• Maintain inventory of supplies and cleanliness.

Skills

Proficiency in IV catheter placement (IVC)

Experience with radiographs

Knowledge of safe patient handling techniques

CPR skills

Drug administration and dosage calculation

Critical care and emergency assessment skills

Strong customer service skills

Education

RVT or equivalent

Tools

Doppler

Cardell

SpO2 monitor

ECG equipment

Job description

Emergency Veterinary Technician (Swing)

We are currently seeking an Emergency Veterinary Technician (Swing) to join our team in Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists in Santa Cruz, California.

Position Overview

Emergency Veterinary Technicians work under the direct guidance and supervision of veterinarians, assisting with all aspects of patient care and improving the quality and efficiency of treatment.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare for shifts by stocking drawers in exam rooms and treatment areas, setting up flush syringes, catheter kits, and ensuring drugs and equipment are ready; provide restraint of pets for examination and treatment by veterinarians; prepare medications for outpatients and inpatients; log controlled substances.
• Assist with anesthesia: prepare patients for surgery, monitor patients during surgery and recovery, provide fluids, and perform supportive therapy during surgery and post‑op.
• Properly clean, pack and autoclave all surgical materials after use; keep operating room stocked and prepared for surgery.
• Assist in medical or surgical procedures such as irrigating, cleansing, bandaging wounds, administering and monitoring anesthesia, monitoring fluid administration, reading ECG and blood pressure, placing urinary and intravenous catheters, and administering emergency medications as directed.
• Keep accurate and timely charts of all patient progress and treatments; enter all charges into the computer system during each shift.
• Perform clinical laboratory procedures: blood chemistries, CBC, electrolytes, heartworm checks, skin scrapings, urinalysis, fungal cultures, draw blood for lab analysis; prepare samples for lab; conduct in‑house tests such as parvo and feline leukemia virus tests; record results through CS.
• Take radiographs.
• Provide care and comfort for all patients in the ICU and kennels, including changing bedding, assessing pain, and administering pain medications.
• Admit and discharge patients on the veterinarian’s orders, ensuring patients are medically appropriate for discharge; answer client questions on various aspects of animal care, pass on veterinarian advice, and provide follow‑up updates.
• Assist the receptionist as needed and cover duties during absences.
• Maintain inventory of all supplies, monitor expiration dates, rotate stock, and keep ICU areas clean and stocked; stay informed about over‑the‑counter products and prescription drug recommendations.
• Maintain hospital cleanliness by performing cleaning tasks on daily, weekly, and monthly schedules.

Schedule

• Sunday – Wednesday starting between 2 PM and 5 PM (ten‑hour shifts), including one weekend shift and some holidays.
• Four 10‑hour swing shifts.

Advancement

Veterinary Technicians in this practice will receive extensive training. Individuals interested in specific fields such as radiology or anesthesiology may pursue continuing education, including subsidies for outside courses.

Qualifications (Required)

• 3+ years of experience handling emergency cases.
• Proficiency in IV catheter placement (IVC) and venipuncture.
• Experience with radiographs.
• Strong knowledge of safe patient handling techniques.
• Ability to perform accurate medical calculations.
• Skilled in CPR.
• Experience with sedation and general anesthesia (GA).

Preferred Skills (Nice To Have)

• Previous experience in an ER hospital setting.

Knowledge

• RVT or equivalent; minimum 3–5 years of critical care, intensive care, and emergency experience.
• Knowledge of procedures for patient care and monitoring, ordering supplies, and requesting laboratory tests.
• Understanding of instrument care, storage, and sterilization techniques.
• Familiarity with procedures used for monitoring, ordering supplies, and supplying standardized care.

Skills

• TPR/physical assessment.
• Drug administration and dosage calculation.
• Venipuncture.
• Catheter placement – venous and urinary.
• Cystocentesis – blind and ultrasound guided.
• CPR.
• Critical care and emergency assessment skills.
• Record/interpret ECG.
• Radiology.
• Anesthesiology.
• Surgical assisting.
• Post‑surgical care/monitoring.
• Perform laboratory tests: CBC, Chem, UA, viral tests, PT/PTT, etc.
• Set up and monitor equipment such as Doppler, Cardell, SpO2, ECG, IV fluid pumps, anesthesia machines, suction pumps, crash cart, O₂ cage.
• Recognition of infectious/zoonotic disease.
• Customer service/communication skills.

Physical Effort

Work often requires lifting and carrying animals that may weigh up to 100 lbs. Technicians collaborate to handle larger animals. Walking or standing for extended periods and frequently working in a bent position are common.

Working Conditions

Exposure to unpleasant odors, noise, animal bites, scratches, waste, and contagious diseases is possible.

What We Offer

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid parental leave (birth, adoption, foster).
• 401(k) with discretionary contribution.
• Team member pet discounts.
• Emotional wellbeing support, including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP.
• CE stipends and career development resources.
• Grant Circle – relief fund for team members facing personal hardship.
• Local hospital culture backed by national resources.

Pay Range

$27 – $30 USD

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V.