Kennel Technician

Five Rivers Pet Emergency; Tennessee; Hybrid; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Five Rivers Pet Emergency is seeking a Kennel Technician to support our hospitalized patients with cleanliness, comfort, and compassionate care. This role offers a clear pathway to becoming a Veterinary Assistant, with emphasis on training, teamwork, and reliability in a fast-paced emergency setting.

We value an upbeat, drama-free culture and encourage growth through skill development, flexible scheduling, and a commitment to excellent patient care.

Qualifications

• An upbeat, positive personality with a strong desire to learn, grow, and build a career in veterinary medicine.
• A dependable work ethic with broad availability to cover night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
• Ability to stand for long periods, move quickly, and lift or assist pets up to 40+ lbs.
• Strong communication skills and a willingness to step in wherever help is needed.

Responsibilities

• Impeccable comfort: Ensure patients have clean bedding, fresh water, and a cozy environment.
• Facilitate patient walks and relief breaks according to prescribed schedules while monitoring comfort.
• Monitor recovering pets and alert the medical team to any changes in status or behavior.
• Sanitation: perform daily cleaning of kennels, exam rooms, and treatment areas.
• Assist Veterinarians and Technicians during treatments, and log tasks in Instinct; help with client communication.

Skills

Attitude and ambition

Flexibility

Physical capability

Team-first mindset

Job description

At Five Rivers Pet Emergency, we are proudly locally owned and operated, and we believe high-stakes emergency medicine is best practiced in an upbeat, positive, and supportive working environment.

As a Kennel Technician, you are the heartbeat of our patient comfort team and the foundation of our floor operations. We view this position as a true stepping stone - if you bring the heart, hustle, and positive attitude, we offer a clear path to develop your skills and grow into a Veterinary Assistant role.

Culture, growth, and opportunity

• Pathway to Veterinary Assistant: We are not just looking for someone to clean; we are looking for the next generation of veterinary professionals. You will learn proper patient handling, restraint, basic clinical tasks, and software systems, opening the door for direct advancement into an assistant role.
• Upbeat and positive culture: ER medicine can be intense, which is why we foster a workspace built on zero-drama teamwork, continuous learning, mutual respect, and genuine encouragement. We like to keep energy high and spirits bright.
• Growth-tied compensation: Pay increases are directly tied to your skill advancement, initiative, reliability, and contribution to our team.

Schedule, flexibility, and reliability

Because we are a 24/7 emergency hospital, reliability and flexibility are absolute priorities. Emergencies happen at all hours, and our patients rely on us to be there when they need us most.

• Candidates must have flexible availability, including evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays.
• Being punctual, dependable, and adaptable in a fast-paced environment is critical to keeping our emergency floor running smoothly.

Position overview

Your primary mission is to ensure our hospitalized patients are clean, dry, comfortable, and cared for with the utmost compassion during their stay, while keeping the facility pristine and ready for incoming critical cases.

Core responsibilities

Patient care and TLC

• Impeccable comfort: Ensure all patients have clean, dry bedding, fresh water, and a cozy environment to reduce hospital-induced stress.
• Patient management: Facilitate patient walks and relief breaks according to prescribed schedules while monitoring behavior and physical comfort.
• Status monitoring: Keep a watchful eye on recovering pets and immediately alert the medical team to any changes in patient status or behavior.

Hospital maintenance and flow

• Sanitation standards: Execute daily cleaning protocols across kennels, exam rooms, and treatment areas to maintain optimal hygiene.
• Laundry and stocking: Keep up with the constant flow of patient bedding, surgical linens, and clinical supplies so the floor team never runs short.

Clinical support and skill development

• Handling and restraint: Learn and master safe, low-stress restraint techniques for pets of various sizes and temperaments.
• Medical floor support: Assist Veterinarians and Technicians during treatments, diagnostic procedures, and patient discharges.
• System and administrative skills: Utilize Instinct (our electronic patient system) to log tasks, and assist with phone calls or client communication as needed.

Position requirements

• Attitude and ambition: An upbeat, positive personality with a strong desire to learn, grow, and build a career in veterinary medicine.
• Flexibility and reliability: A dependable work ethic with broad availability to cover night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
• Physical capability: Ability to stand for long periods, move quickly, and safely lift or assist pets weighing up to 40+ lbs.
• Team-first mindset: Strong communication skills and a willingness to step in wherever help is needed.