Veterinary Technician, Emergency & ICU Days

ethosveterinaryhealth; West Caldwell (NJ); On-site; USD 33,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with matching

Health, Dental, Vision insurance

HSA / FSA

Life and Disability insurance

PTO and Holidays

Employee Assistance Program

Pet Discount

Professional development

Uniform stipend

Student Debt Assistance

6 Paid Holidays

Recover Training and Certification

Fear Free Training and Certification

CE Reimbursement

VetBloom access

Job summary

Animal Emergency & Referral Associates (AERA) in West Caldwell, NJ, seeks a Veterinary Technician for ER/ICU days. Compensation ranges from $24–$46/hour depending on credentialing, with $2.50/hour weekend differential and a sign-on bonus for qualified candidates.

Full-time role supporting ER doctors, assisting with all treatments, and delivering high-quality patient care in a fast-paced environment. Weekend availability required.

Qualifications

• ECC experience required for credentialed or non-credentialed technicians.
• Excellent communication and people skills are essential.
• Ability to react quickly and remain calm during emergencies.
• Team-oriented attitude and positive culture promotion.

Responsibilities

• Triaging, obtaining vitals, and documenting patient history.
• Stabilizing patients under veterinary direction.
• Place IV catheters, collect samples, and administer medications.
• Assist with anesthesia and CPR; RECOVER training preferred.
• Complete diagnostics including radiographs and in-house labs.
• Provide advanced nursing care to ECC patients and communicate status changes.
• Maintain accurate medical records and operations of ER/ICU equipment.

Skills

ECC experience

Excellent communication

Team collaboration

Calm under pressure

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Certified Veterinary Technician preferred

Job description

Veterinary Technician, Emergency & ICU Days

VTS $42 - $46/hr. | CVT/RVT/LVT/VTS $26 - $37/hr. | Non-Credentialed $24 - $35/hr. SIGN ON BONUS |+$2.50/hr. weekend differential | West Caldwell, NJ

At Animal Emergency & Referral Associates (AERA), we are proud to be a leader in emergency and specialty veterinary medicine, providing exceptional care to pets and peace of mind to their families. Our team of highly skilled veterinarians, technicians, and support professionals work collaboratively to deliver advanced medical care in a compassionate, patient-centered environment. With a commitment to innovation, clinical excellence, and continuous growth, AERA offers an exciting opportunity for veterinary professionals who are passionate about making a difference every day.

Compensation

• Non-Credentialed Veterinary Technicians: $24-$37hourly
• Credentialed Veterinary Technicians: $29-$41 hourly
• Veterinary Technician Specialists: $42-$46 hourly
• We offer the highest industry-standard differentials for weekend and overnight shifts!
  • $2.50/hr. weekends
• Sign On Bonus offered to qualified candidates!

Benefits Include:

• 401(k) with matching
• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) / Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life and Disability insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program and Discounts (including Pet Discount)
• Professional development
• Uniform stipend
• Student Debt Assistance
• 6 Paid Holidays
• Recover Training and Certification for qualified staff
• Fear Free Training and Certification for qualified staff
• CE Reimbursement for qualified staff
• Access to VetBloom for RACE-approved continuing education and training

Schedule

• Full-Time
  • 7:00am - 7:00pm
  • Weekend availability required

Job Description

This position serves as the primary support for ER doctors, assisting with all treatments and procedures while delivering the highest quality of patient care. The ER/ICU Veterinary Technician must demonstrate exceptional attention to detail, uphold the highest standards of cleanliness and medical care, and work collaboratively with the team to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and optimal patient outcomes. Strong communication skills are essential to maintain seamless coordination and provide the best possible experience for both patients and staff.

Responsibilities

• Triaging, obtaining vitals, and documenting patient history.
• Initiating stabilization measures under veterinary direction.
• Placing IV catheters (experience with sampling and PICC preferred), collecting samples, and administering medications (including CRIs).
• Assisting with anesthesia and participating in CPR (RECOVER training preferred).
• Completing diagnostics, including radiographs and in-house laboratory testing.
• Advanced nursing care of ECC patients and communicating status changes.
• Maintaining accurate medical records and treatment documentation.
• Operating ER/ICU monitoring and infusion equipment.
• Providing advanced nursing care to post-op patients.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED
• Certified Veterinary Technician (LVT, RVT, CVT) preferred
• Credentialed Technicians: At least 2 years of ECC experience
• Non- Credentialed Technicians: At least 4 years of ECC experience
• Ability to react quickly and appropriately during emergency situations, and remain calm under pressure
• Excellent communication/people skills
• Ability to work with and without direct supervision
• Must have team‑oriented attitude and promote positive culture
• Considerable tact and diplomacy in dealing with clients affected by a variety of problems
• Fluent English skills (speaking & reading) are required for the role; fluency in multiple languages a plus!

Why Choose AERA?

• Work alongside a compassionate and talented team dedicated to excellence in veterinary care.
• Make a meaningful impact by being an advocate for pets and their families.
• Enjoy a dynamic, fast‑paced environment that keeps you engaged and challenged.
• Be part of a workplace that values your contributions and supports your growth.
• Ongoing opportunities for continued education such as lunch and learns hosted by various vendors and entities.

About AERA

At Animal Emergency & Referral Associates (AERA), excellence isn’t just a goal—it’s who we are. As an AAHA-accredited hospital, AERA represents the gold standard in veterinary medicine and patient care. We are proud recipients of the 2024 Neighborhood Fave award, recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Best Animal Hospitals of 2025, and honored with the dvm360 Hospital Design Merit Award for our innovative, state-of-the-art facility. In addition, AERA has been recognized as a Distinguished Kindness Workplace, reflecting our deep commitment to a supportive, respectful, and people‑first culture.

With comprehensive services including 24/7 emergency care, advanced anesthesia, diagnostics and radiology, internal medicine, orthopedic and soft‑tissue surgery, and radiation oncology, AERA stands at the forefront of specialty and emergency veterinary medicine—where advanced clinical expertise meets genuine compassion for patients, clients, and each other.

Nearby Communities

• West Orange, NJ
• Livingston, NJ
• Montclair, NJ
• Verona, NJ
• Caldwell, NJ
• Roseland, NJ
• Cedar Grove, NJ
• Parsippany, NJ
• Morristown, NJ
• East Hanover, NJ
• Jersey City, NJ
• Hoboken, NJ
• Newark, NJ
• Staten Island, NY
• Manhattan, NY
• Brooklyn, NY

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ethos is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Ethos does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, competence, merit, and business need.