Veterinary Assistant CCU and ICW

VCA Animal Hospitals; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 30,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision insurance

Paid time off

401(k) retirement plan with company | 

Continuing Education allowance

NAVTA membership included

Tuition assistance

Pet discounts

Job summary

VCA Veterinary Care Animal Hospital & Referral Center is seeking an experienced Critical Care Technician for our overnight team in Albuquerque, NM. The role supports a growing CCU offering advanced diagnostics, blood products, and monitoring for critically ill pets.

The position features a 3-shift 12-hour schedule, with night differential and negotiable compensation based on education and experience. Join a collaborative team committed to client care and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of previous critical care experience.
• Ability to monitor anesthesia for critical patients and manage emergencies.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with clients and team.

Responsibilities

• Provide intensive care for critically ill or injured animals.
• Monitor patients with oxygen therapy, cardiac monitoring, and IV support.
• Collaborate with board-certified critical care veterinarians.

Skills

Critical care experience

IV catheter placement

Venipuncture

Restraint of cats and dogs

Anesthesia monitoring

Critical thinking

Initiative / proactive

Communication skills

Client experience focus

Schedule flexibility

Leadership experience

Job description

Are you looking to be a part of a dynamic hospital team while having the support and resources to push yourself? VCA Veterinary Care Animal Hospital & Referral Center, or just VCA Vet Care to our friends, is located 5,312 feet above sea level* in beautiful, fun, and (if you ask us) highly underrated Albuquerque, New Mexico. Vet Care is the only hybrid hospital in New Mexico, with endless opportunities to learn and grow! We are currently seeking an experienced Critical Care technician to join our overnight team in the Critical Care Unit!

Location:

8850 Holly Ave NE Ste K, Albuquerque, NM 87122

Schedule:

(3) 12-hour shifts, day or overnight

Compensation:

Is negotiable depending on education and experience. Shift differential is also available for overnight shifts.

What will you achieve as a Critical Care Technician?

The Vet Care Critical Care team is a growing team that does it all, including the “miracle” cases!! Working alongside our board-certified critical care veterinarian, you will be part of a team that is responsible for providing intensive management for critically ill or injured animals. Our current CCU is equipped to provide oxygen therapy, cardiac monitoring, blood transfusions, as well as advanced diagnostics.

What are we looking for in a Critical Care Technician?

• Minimum 3 years of previous critical care experience
• Strong skills in:
• IV catheter placements and venipuncture
• Safe restraining on cats and dogs (exotics a plus)
• Anesthesia monitoring for critical patients
• Critical thinking
• Ability to be proactive and take initiative
• Positive attitude
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong desire to provide exceptional client experience.
• Flexibility for schedule availability
• Leadership experience and interest a plus!

Why Join the VCA Vet Care Team?

We are passionate about supporting our Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Assistants, and are committed to your continuing education and personal career development. VCA Vet Care is a member of a larger community of dedicated professionals that will encourage you to explore everything a Veterinary Technician career has to offer. We are committed to equity, inclusion, and diversity and strive to be a place where a talented mix of people want to come, stay, and do their best work. In addition, we support a work environment where you can focus on your career, happiness, and the patients you serve.

Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!

Career Support

• Access to the people and resources of a large veterinary community
• Advancement and leadership opportunities
• Continuing Education allowance for full time credentialed veterinary technicians ($750/yr, $1000/yr for VTSs)
• Internal CE and development opportunities
• Free NAVTA membership, access to VetFolio, Plumbs App, and more
• Tuition assistance including Veterinary Technology Associates, Bachelors completion and more
• Veterinary Technician license reimbursement

Health & Well Being

• Medical, dental & vision insurance, a variety of additional coverage options
• Free mental health care through Lyra Health (up to 12 sessions a year)
• Access to free counseling through Cigna Life Assistance program
• Access to Headspace app
• Fully employer‑paid life, long‑term and short‑term disability insurance
• Paid vacation, paid sick time, holiday pay
• Paid parental leave
• Fertility coverage, gender affirmation services
• Growing network of onsite social workers

Other Perks

• Generous hospital discounts for your pets, a variety of other discounts including cellular service, apparel, computer equipment, etc.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Referral bonus opportunities
• Practice management software with digital innovations for streamlined practice flow and client communication
• Opportunities to give back through VCA Charities and community partnerships
• VCA issued Winks© Scrubs

The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development)

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com