Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)

Cornerstone Animal Center; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 37,195 - 39,950; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical, dental & vision insurance

Tax-deferred retirement plan

Job summary

Cornerstone Animal Center in Visalia, California, seeks a passionate Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) to enhance animal welfare through quality veterinary care. The ideal candidate will perform surgical nursing duties and routine wellness services, embracing teamwork and a commitment to excellence.

This role requires experience in high-quality spay/neuter surgical environments and a dedication to compassionate animal treatment.

Qualifications

• Registered Veterinary Technician in California.
• 1 year of anesthesia experience in veterinary setting.
• Knowledge of animal physiology and infectious disease protocols.

Responsibilities

• Perform physical exams and recognize patient distress.
• Assist in surgeries and maintain sterile environments.
• Communicate effectively with team members.

Skills

Monitoring anesthesia

Veterinary terminology

Animal handling

Surgical assistance

Education

Registered Veterinary Technician certification

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Anesthesia machine

Veterinary software

Job description

Role Summary

Cornerstone Animal Center is seeking a passionate and skilled Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) to join our new spay/neuter and wellness clinic in Visalia, California, dedicated to improving animal welfare in California’s Central Valley by providing nursing care for high‑quality, affordable veterinary care for the pets and families of our community.

The ideal candidate is a confident and compassionate Registered Veterinary Technician with demonstrated experience in High Quality High Volume Spay/Neuter surgery who thrives in a fast‑paced clinical environment. In addition to surgical nursing duties, this RVT will deliver, under the direction of a veterinarian, routine wellness services including vaccinations, preventive care, and client education, embodying our mission to make essential veterinary care accessible to all. We are looking for a team member who shares our commitment to teamwork, a positive attitude for problem‑solving, and a desire to learn and grow.

Core Responsibilities

• Perform a basic physical exam and recognize normal and abnormal parameters in canine and feline patients.
• Recognize signs of pain and distress.
• Understand infectious disease in patients and control measures.
• Monitor multiple patients at various stages of anesthesia simultaneously.
• Recognize and appropriately respond to anesthetic emergencies.
• Maintain principles of sterility and sterile fields.
• Prepare patients for surgery, assist in surgery when required.
• Operate an anesthesia machine and anesthesia monitoring equipment.
• Use commonly used veterinary surgical equipment and drugs.
• Induce veterinary anesthetic drugs.
• Intubate feline and canine patients of various sizes.
• Place IV catheters.
• Calculate drug and fluid dosages.
• Use veterinary terminology and abbreviations.
• Perform venipuncture and intramuscular & subcutaneous injections.
• Know common surgical instrument names and care.
• Operate an autoclave machine.
• Comply with laws regarding controlled substances, record keeping and drug logs.
• Apply stress‑free animal handling and restraint techniques.
• Take radiographs, do laboratory work, maintain drug logs, and chart patient records.
• Interpret treatment sheets and administer treatments under direction (PO, topical, otic, ocular).
• Facilitate teamwork and collaboration.
• Proactively communicate with team members to assure excellent patient care.
• Keep up to date in veterinary medicine with continuing education.

Administrative Duties

• Maintain and create patient records, accurately recording treatments, surgery notes, examinations and test results on computerized patient charts and other medical records.
• Read and respond to work‑related e‑mails at least once per shift.
• Participate in regular staff meetings and medical rounds.

Client and Community Service

• Practice and encourage humane treatment of animals.
• Handle and discharge animals from the clinic in a responsive, courteous, and tactful manner.
• Inform clients of pertinent medical information regarding animal care.
• Provide quality customer service to clients, volunteers, and staff while actively promoting our mission, services, programs and events.
• Promote donation and giving opportunities as appropriate.

Safety

• Ensure a safe work environment by following all safety guidelines and modeling safe work practices (including animals, equipment, drugs, chemicals, radiology, sharps, biohazardous material).
• Take immediate action to address any safety concerns that could put a staff member, volunteer, customer, animal, or the organization at risk.
• Maintain a clean, healthy and sanitary work area.

Volunteers

• Work cooperatively with all volunteers and recognize the talent and commitment they bring to the Center.
• Mentor and train volunteers as needed.

Diversity and Inclusiveness

• Work effectively with individuals and colleagues from diverse communities and cultures.

Open Communication

• Facilitate and participate in open, direct communication.

Reporting Relationships and Contacts

• Reports to the Executive Director.

Requirements

• Registered Veterinary Technician in the state of California.
• High school diploma or equivalent certification.
• Exposure to common veterinary hospital equipment and tools.
• 1 year of anesthesia experience in a veterinary setting.
• Experience in field medicine or surgery, animal welfare, or high‑volume spay/neuter clinic is a plus.
• Commitment to the mission, values, goals and success of Cornerstone Animal Center.
• Knowledge of the rules and regulations of what an RVT can perform as provided by the California Veterinary Medical Board.
• Experience with safe and humane animal handling and restraint techniques with healthy, ill, and unsocialized or feral animals.
• Comfortable working in an environment that adheres to infectious disease protocols.
• Computer literate and able to master veterinary software as applicable to clinic operations.
• Knowledge of basic dog and cat physiology, anatomy and behavior as it relates to the general health of animals.
• Understanding of advanced clinical veterinary skills: anesthesia, pharmacology, disease process, injury, emergency medicine and veterinary medical equipment.
• Ability to understand and communicate pertinent medical information with colleagues and clients.
• Self‑motivated and able to initiate and complete tasks.
• Professional attitude and appearance; maturity, positivity and good judgment.

Salary & Benefits

The starting salary for this position depends on the depth and breadth of experience. The expected rate is $27-$29 per hour.

Regular full‑time and part‑time 30+ positions are eligible for a benefits package including paid time off and holiday pay, medical, dental & vision insurance and a tax‑deferred retirement plan.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Cornerstone Animal Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This job description reflects the assignment of essential functions and does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Cornerstone Animal Center is an at‑will employer and may conduct pre‑employment background checks and drug screening depending on the role.