Overnight Veterinary Assistant or Technician

Northwest Veterinary Hospital; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwest Veterinary Hospital seeks an experienced Overnight Veterinary Assistant or Technician for its Internal Medicine team. This full-time role involves providing critical care, monitoring patients, and assisting with diagnostics overnight in a state-of-the-art facility. Candidates should be skilled, team-oriented, and comfortable in fast-paced environments, with opportunities for career development and licensure support.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Generous paid time off and holiday pay

401(k) with employer contributions

Employee discounts on veterinary services

Flexible scheduling

Team appreciation events

Qualifications

• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in a veterinary hospital required.
• Ability to manage and monitor critical care patients independently.
• Excellent communication skills for client education essential.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and manage ICU patients overnight.
• Assist with internal medicine diagnostics like ultrasound and blood transfusions.
• Maintain accurate patient records and document treatments.

Skills

Technical skills in anesthesia

Radiology skills

Emergency procedures

Client communication

Education

Veterinary Technician License (LVT, RVT, or CVT)

Job description

Overnight Veterinary Assistant or Technician

Department: Veterinary Technicians

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Knoxville, Tennessee

Compensation: $18.00 - $24.00 / hour

Description

Are you a skilled Veterinary Technician or Assistant who thrives in fast-paced environments and is passionate about critical care? Do you want to deepen your expertise in Internal Medicine while working overnight shifts? If so, we want to meet you.

Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Knoxville is growing—and we're looking for an experienced Overnight Veterinary Assistant or Technician to join our exceptional Internal Medicine team. This is your opportunity to be part of a collaborative, advanced specialty hospital that provides life-saving care when pets need it most.

We specialize in 24/7 emergency and specialty care, offering advanced diagnostics and treatment in a compassionate, team-driven setting. Our hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and supported by board-certified specialists across multiple disciplines. As a valued team member, you'll play a key role in managing critical cases and expanding your technical skills.

As our Overnight Veterinary Assistant or Technician, you'll be at the center of our overnight ICU and Internal Medicine services. You'll provide hands-on care for critically ill patients, assist with complex diagnostics and treatments, and support our veterinarians through the night.

This role is ideal for someone who is technically skilled, thrives under pressure, and is looking to advance their career in a specialty emergency setting.

• Overnight shifts only
• Rotating weekdays and weekends
• Must be available for at least 2 weekends per month
• Includes holiday rotation based on hospital needs

Key Responsibilities

Patient Care & Technical Skills

• Monitor and manage ICU patients overnight
• Perform advanced procedures: IV catheter placement, blood draws, radiographs, anesthesia monitoring
• Assist with internal medicine diagnostics (ultrasound, endoscopy, blood transfusions)
• Provide post-procedure and critical care monitoring
• Administer oral, injectable, IV, IM, and SQ medications
• Support emergency stabilization and triage procedures

Client Communication

• Update pet owners with patient status overnight
• Educate clients on treatment plans, home care, and next steps

Team Collaboration

• Partner with Internal Medicine and ER teams for continuity of care
• Participate in case rounds and share critical patient insights

Record Keeping

• Maintain detailed, accurate patient records and logs
• Document lab results, treatments, and patient progress

Facility Maintenance

• Keep ICU and treatment areas clean, organized, and fully stocked

What We're Looking For:

Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in a veterinary hospital
• Strong technical skills in anesthesia, radiology, and emergency procedures
• Ability to manage and monitor critical care patients independently
• Excellent communication and client education skills
• Dependable, team-oriented, and comfortable working solo overnight
• Physically able to stand, walk, and lift for extended periods

Preferred Qualifications

• Veterinary Technician License (LVT, RVT, or CVT) preferred
• Previous experience in an ICU, emergency, or internal medicine setting is preferred; however, we are open to training strong assistants or technicians with a solid surgical background in general practice.
• Familiarity with advanced diagnostics like glucose curves, ACTH stim tests, or fluid therapy

What We Offer at Animal Emergency & Specialty Center - Knoxville

At AESC, we're committed to supporting your career growth, financial well-being, and long-term success—whether you're a newly licensed Veterinary Technician, an experienced credentialed tech, or an assistant working toward licensure. We offer a benefits package designed to invest in your future.

• Headstart Program - Educational loan repayment support for newly licensed veterinary technicians who have:
  • Graduated recently from an AVMA-accredited program
  • Passed the VTNE
  • Obtained a veterinary technician license in Tennessee
• Licensure Support - We'll help cover your initial state licensure fees and assist with renewal or recertification when the time comes.
• Elevated CE Funds - Take advantage of an increased continuing education allowance and paid time off to attend CE focused on Internal Medicine, Emergency, Anesthesia, and more.
• Advanced Training & Growth Opportunities - Cross-train in departments like Surgery, Cardiology, and Critical Care. We support your journey toward VTS certification or other advanced credentials.

• Scholarship Program for Licensure - Receive financial assistance to enroll in Penn Foster's Veterinary Technician program while gaining hands-on experience in a specialty setting.
• Learn as You Grow - Work side-by-side with licensed techs and specialists, expanding your skill set at your own pace while pursuing formal credentials.
• Clear Career Pathways - Move from assistant to licensed technician with mentorship, clinical training, and milestone-based advancement support.

Benefits for All Full-Time Team Members:

• $2/hour overnight shift differential starting at 12AM
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous paid time off and holiday pay (1.5x on designated holidays)
• 401(k) with employer contributions
• Employee discounts on veterinary services and retail products
• Flexible scheduling to support a healthy work-life balance
• Team appreciation events and a positive, collaborative hospital culture

About Animal Emergency & Specialty Center - Knoxville

Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Knoxville is an AAHA Accredited, premier referral and emergency veterinary hospital. We have an emergency and critical care unit that is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We have a variety of board-certified surgeons and specialists at AESC who treat a wide range of veterinary orthopedic, oncology, thoracic, abdominal, and soft-tissue conditions. Our team includes over 20 compassionate and highly trained Licensed Veterinary Technicians, numerous veterinary assistants, other support staff, and supportive administration.

We have the latest specialized surgery and diagnostic instrumentation and equipment including 16-slice CT scanner, Vivid iQ echocardiogram platform, digital radiology, ultrasound systems, fluoroscopy unity, endoscopy, high-def Storz tower with new laparoscopic equipment, Arthrex equipment, LigaSure, Autocon III, Storz Ho-YAG laser, Synthes locking plates, and ESF equipment. In 2025, we will be completing our 20,000-square-foot specialty expansion and we will be adding Neurology, Cardiology, and other specialists to our team, as well as a new MRI scanner, CT scanner, linear accelerator, IR suite with ceiling-mounted fluoroscopy, and surgical suites measuring at least 18' x 18'.

We view our hospital as a neighborhood and community partner that provides advanced diagnostics, evaluations, and care in an environment rooted in comfort and compassion. Hear more about working with us from our team at the Animal Emergency and Specialty Center of Knoxville!

Animal Emergency and Specialty is a proud partner of Innovetive Petcare. Where we believe that you are the future of veterinary medicine. Cultivate, innovate, develop, and collaborate. Excellent pet care comes from exceptional teams.

Equal Opportunity Employer Policy

Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Knoxville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. We are proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, or any other non-merit factor. All qualified applicants, including minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.