ER/ICU Relief Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)

Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Collaborative culture

Exposure to ER/ICU medicine

San Luis Obispo location

Job summary

Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital in San Luis Obispo is seeking an experienced ER/ICU RVT for relief coverage across our emergency team. You will assist emergency doctors, monitor hospitalized patients, and provide hands-on nursing care in a fast-paced environment.

The role offers a flexible schedule within a 24/7 hospital and competitive hourly pay based on experience, with additional shift differentials for overnight and weekends.

Qualifications

• Current RVT license required.
• Experience in emergency or specialty settings preferred.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality.

Responsibilities

• Triage and intake patients, present cases to the emergency doctor.
• Perform and assist with diagnostic procedures, labs, and imaging.
• Provide nursing care and ongoing monitoring for hospitalized patients.
• Hands-on care for emergency/critical patients including monitoring, CPR, anesthesia monitoring, blood draws, IV placement, and fluid therapy.
• Communicate patient updates and discharge instructions to clients.
• Collaborate with specialty services and maintain medical records.

Skills

RVT license

Emergency/ER experience

Communication skills

Multitasking under pressure

Teamwork

Willingness to learn

Job description

Position Overview : ER/ICU Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)

As a Relief RVT, you’ll step in where you’re needed across our ER/ICU team, working alongside our emergency doctors and support staff to care for urgent and critical patients. You’ll provide hands‑on patient care, assist with emergency cases, monitor hospitalized patients, and help keep the team moving during busy shifts. This is a great fit for an experienced RVT who enjoys variety, works well in a fast‑paced environment, and is comfortable jumping into a new team and workflow.

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

Essential Job Duties

• Triage and intake patients, obtain complete histories, and present cases to the emergency doctor
• Perform and assist with diagnostic procedures, laboratory testing, and imaging
• Provide nursing care and ongoing monitoring for hospitalized patients with a range of medical conditions
• Provide hands‑on care for emergency and critical patients, including:
• • Continuous patient monitoring and reassessment
  • CPR and other emergency interventions
  • Intubation and airway management
  • Anesthesia monitoring and recovery
  • Blood draws and sample collection
  • IV catheter placement and management
  • Medication administration and fluid therapy as directed
  • Other patient care and treatment as directed by the veterinarian
• Recognize changes in patient condition and promptly communicate concerns to the appropriate veterinarian
• Communicate with clients regarding patient updates, care plans, and discharge instructions
• Collaborate with specialty services, including surgery, internal medicine, radiology, cardiology, and oncology
• Maintain accurate and timely medical records and treatment documentation

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

Qualifications & Skills

• Current Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) license (required)
• Previous experience in emergency, specialty, or other high‑acuity veterinary settings (preferred)
• 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.
• As a relief employee, you will be offered shifts monthly and/or asked to provide availability. No consistent scheduling availability is required.

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 $27.50-$35.50 per hour based on experience and skill level
• A collaborative, respectful workplace culture
• Exposure to emergency and specialty veterinary medicine in a modern facility
• The opportunity to 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!