ICU/CCU Veterinary Technician (Shift Lead) - Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists

Petvet-Care-Centers; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Paid parental leave

401(k) plan

Team member discounts

Wellbeing support

Job summary

PetVet Care Centers in Santa Cruz, CA is seeking an ICU/CCU Veterinary Technician (Shift Lead) to join our team. You will monitor critically ill patients, administer treatments, and collaborate with surgeons, internal medicine, and emergency staff in a high-level hospital setting.

The role offers the opportunity to lead a skilled ICU team, advance clinical nursing skills, and contribute to our culture of care across a 24/7 emergency and specialty hospital.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Emergency and/or specialty veterinary experience.
• Experience calculating and administering CRIs.
• Confidence with venipuncture and IV care.
• Strong technical and patient care skills.
• Ability to remain calm in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to teamwork and exceptional patient advocacy.
• Passion for learning and advancing veterinary medicine.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and care for critically ill and hospitalized patients.
• Administer medications, treatments, and advanced nursing care.
• Monitor anesthesia recovery and post-operative patients.
• Perform and assist with blood draws, catheter placement, diagnostics, and treatments.
• Collaborate closely with doctors and specialty services to execute treatment plans.
• Provide exceptional patient advocacy and attention to detail.
• Communicate with team members to ensure continuity of care throughout hospitalization.

Skills

ICU experience

Venipuncture

CRI administration

Emergency care

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Venipuncture equipment

Job description

PetVet Care Centers' Pacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists is currently seeking anICU/CCU Veterinary Technician (Shift Lead) to join our team!

At PetVet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people — providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage — for all the moments that matter.

Because life is better with pets.

We deliver the Ultimate Care Experience — every pet, every client, every time. That starts with a Culture of Care that supports our team members as much as the pets and clients we serve.

With more than 420 locally led hospitals and over 11,000 team members nationwide, we offer:

• Local autonomy with national support
• Career mobility and development opportunities
• A collaborative, inclusive environment where your wellbeing comes first

You care for pets. We care for you.

Position Overview

Our ICU technicians are at the forefront of patient care, working closely with emergency doctors, criticalists, surgeons, internists, and specialty teams to provide exceptional nursing care to some of the hospital's most complex and critically ill patients.

This is an exciting opportunity for a technician who enjoys advanced medicine, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is passionate about advocating for patients during every stage of their recovery.

AtPacific & Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists, our ICU team provides the dedicated care that helps critically ill patients heal, recover, and return home to their families. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career where your skills truly make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Join us in delivering exceptional care when pets need it most.

Why Join Us?

• Work at Santa Cruz County's only 24/7 Emergency and Specialty Veterinary Hospital
• Collaborate with board-certified specialists in Surgery, Internal Medicine, Oncology, Critical Care, and Emergency Medicine
• Practice high-level medicine utilizing advanced diagnostics and treatments
• Expand your technical and nursing skills in a supportive learning environment
• Be part of a team that values collaboration, accountability, and compassionate patient care
• Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor and care for critically ill and hospitalized patients
• Administer medications, treatments, and advanced nursing care
• Monitor anesthesia recovery and post-operative patients
• Perform and assist with blood draws, catheter placement, diagnostics, and treatments
• Collaborate closely with doctors and specialty services to execute treatment plans
• Provide exceptional patient advocacy and attention to detail
• Communicate with team members to ensure continuity of care throughout hospitalization

Qualifications (Required)

• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to be considered for this position
• High school diploma or GED.
• Emergency and/or specialty veterinary experience
• Experience calculating and administering CRIs
• Confidence with venipuncture and IVC care
• Strong technical and patient care skills
• Ability to remain calm and focused in a fast-paced environment
• Commitment to teamwork and exceptional patient advocacy
• Passion for learning and advancing veterinary medicine

Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)

• Previous ICU experience
• Experience in emergency, specialty, or critical care medicine is preferred but not required

Schedule:

• Wednesday - Saturday from 6AM-4:30PM. We can add a 4th shift in another department if requested.
• Must be able to work at least 1 weekend shift a week and some holidays.

What We Offer

We care deeply about supporting our team members — professionally and personally. Benefits include:

• 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 — a relief fund for team members facing personal hardship
• Local hospital culture backed by national resources

Pay Range

$23 — $28 USD

At PetVet Care Centers, we’re committed to aCulture of Care — for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. With more than 400 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 dedicated professionals, including 1700+ veterinarians, we offer a unique blend of local leadership and national support that helps our hospitals thrive.

Our model is built on partnership, collaboration, and local medical autonomy, empowering each hospital to deliver high-quality care while benefiting from shared resources and a strong professional community. Whether you’re providing care in a hospital or supporting operations behind the scenes, PetVet is a place where you can grow your career, stay connected to your purpose, and make a meaningful impact.

You care for pets. We care for you.

PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, 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

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