Shelter Veterinary Technician

Spca Inc; Lakeland (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive hourly pay

403(b) Retirement Plan

Paid Holidays

Paid Time Off

Health Insurance

Dental and Vision Insurance

$30,000 Employer-Paid Life Insurance

Career Growth and Advancement

Professional Development and CE

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Bereavement Leave

Up to 40 Hours Jury Duty Leave

Pet Care Discounts

Job summary

SPCA Florida is seeking a Veterinary Technician to join its shelter medicine team, providing medical care to dogs and cats without client appointments. You will monitor animals daily, assist veterinarians during surgery, administer medications, maintain records, and support a compassionate, collaborative workplace.

Ideal candidates have AVMA-accredited veterinary technology training and shelter experience, strong communication, and a calm demeanor.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology program preferred.
• Shelter medicine or animal welfare experience is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of veterinary nursing and patient care.
• Comfortable handling dogs and cats of varying sizes and medical conditions.

Responsibilities

• Monitor the health and well-being of shelter animals through daily medical rounds.
• Follow up on reported medical concerns received verbally, by email, or through established medical communication systems.
• Identify and communicate changes in an animal’s condition to the appropriate veterinary team member.
• Administer medications and vaccines according to established shelter protocols and veterinary direction.
• Check in new animals through the shelter’s medical intake process.
• Perform and document routine medical treatments and procedures.
• Assist veterinarians during surgery, including patient preparation, anesthesia monitoring, and recovery.
• Maintain accurate medical records and documentation.

Education

AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology program

Job description

Make a Difference Every Day in Shelter Medicine

SPCA Florida is dedicated to enhancing the lives of animals and is committed to the highest standards of veterinary care, animal welfare, and professional ethics. As a no-kill shelter, we are growing our team of Veterinary Shelter Technicians who focus on providing exceptional medical care to our shelter animals—without client appointments.

This is an opportunity to join a dedicated, results-oriented team that values collaboration, open communication, accountability, and a positive workplace culture. We believe in leveraging one another’s strengths, solving problems together, and creating an environment where the work is both meaningful and rewarding.

We take our mission seriously by providing excellent, life-saving care to some of the most vulnerable dogs and cats in our community. Our vision is a humane community where pets and people thrive together.

Why You’ll Love a Career in Shelter Medicine

• Diverse Experiences: Work with a wide variety of medical cases and animals, each with unique medical, behavioral, and environmental needs. No two days are exactly alike.
• Team Impact: Be part of a collaborative team supporting SPCA Florida’s shelter animals and making a meaningful difference in their lives. Our high-performing team looks forward to solving problems together, achieving goals together, and having fun along the way.
• Continuous Growth: Build your expertise in shelter medicine, animal welfare regulations, medical procedures, and the latest approaches to veterinary care. At SPCA Florida, your passion for veterinary medicine and compassion for animals are matched by our commitment to your professional growth.
• Purposeful Work: Help ensure the ethical and humane treatment of shelter animals while providing the medical care they need to heal, thrive, and find their forever homes.
• Work-Life Balance: Veterinary medicine may be your calling, but we believe you should also have a fulfilling life outside of work. Our schedule and benefits are designed to support both your career and your personal well-being.

What's In It for You?

SPCA Florida offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you both personally and professionally, including:

• Competitive hourly pay based on experience
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off: Ten (10) days / 80 hours after 60 days of employment during your first year
• Health Insurance: SPCA Florida contributes approximately 75% of the premium
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• $30,000 Employer-Paid Life Insurance at no cost to you
• Career Growth and Advancement Opportunities
• Professional Development and Continuing Education Opportunities
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligibility
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): We recognize that animal welfare work can be emotionally and mentally demanding, and we are committed to supporting the well-being of our employees.
• Bereavement Leave: Including up to three (3) paid days
• Up to 40 Hours of Paid Jury Duty Leave
• Generous Personal Pet Care Discounts
• A positive, collaborative, supportive, and mission-driven workplace culture
• A family-like team passionate about helping animals and serving our community
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of pets and the people who love them
• The opportunity to directly support SPCA Florida’s mission of saving as many animal lives as possible

What We're Looking For

We’re seeking a Veterinary Technician with a strong foundation in general or shelter veterinary medicine, relevant experience, and a genuine commitment to animal care.

The ideal candidate is confident, conscientious, dependable, and comfortable working as part of a collaborative and motivated team. A genuine interest in animal welfare is essential, along with a calm and approachable demeanor and a willingness to contribute across the full range of shelter veterinary technician duties.

You should also have excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to remain focused, organized, and adaptable in a fast-paced shelter environment.

Desired Qualifications & Skills

• Graduate of an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology program preferred
• Shelter medicine or animal welfare experience is a plus
• Strong knowledge of veterinary nursing and patient care
• Comfortable handling dogs and cats of varying sizes, temperaments, and medical conditions
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment
• Compassionate, patient, and professional approach to animal care
• Commitment to humane treatment and high standards of veterinary care

What You Will Get to Do

As a Shelter Veterinary Technician, you will play an important role in maintaining the health and well-being of SPCA Florida’s shelter animals.

Responsibilities include:

• Monitor the health and well-being of shelter animals through daily medical rounds
• Follow up on reported medical concerns received verbally, by email, or through established medical communication systems
• Identify and communicate changes in an animal’s condition to the appropriate veterinary team member
• Administer medications and vaccines according to established shelter protocols and veterinary direction
• Check in new animals through the shelter’s medical intake process
• Perform and document routine medical treatments and procedures
• Assist veterinarians during surgery, including patient preparation, anesthesia monitoring, and recovery
• Assist with surgical and medical procedures as directed by the veterinarian
• Monitor patients before, during, and after procedures
• Maintain accurate medical records and documentation
• Maintain cleanliness, organization, and appropriate inventory of medical treatment and surgical areas
• Communicate questions, concerns, and medical updates to veterinary and shelter team members
• Respond to questions and concerns from staff, volunteers, adopters, and fosters by phone, email, and in person in a timely and professional manner
• Work collaboratively with shelter and veterinary staff to support the overall health and welfare of the animals
• Follow established medical protocols, safety procedures, and animal welfare standards
• Assist with other shelter medical duties as needed

Join Our Shelter Medicine Team

Shelter medicine is extremely rewarding, and we are looking for a positive, highly self-motivated, creative, kind, organized, and team-oriented individual to join our team.

If you are a veterinary technician who enjoys shelter medicine, thrives in a collaborative environment, and wants to use your skills to help save lives, we would love to hear from you.

Come be part of a team where your veterinary skills have a direct impact every day—and where the animals you care for are counting on you.

SPCA Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug-Free Workplace. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.