Veterinary Technician - ER Intake Nurse

Metropolitan Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Service; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 28,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and vision options

Paid time off

Continuing education PTO

Holiday pay

Uniform allowance

401(k) with employer match

Retention bonus

Pet care discounts

Job summary

Metropolitan Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Service in Louisville, KY seeks an experienced veterinary technician to join as ER Intake Technician, coordinating triage and connecting clients, care teams, and the nursing staff to ensure safe patient flow.

You will perform triage, collect histories, monitor condition, perform in-house labs and radiographs, place IV catheters, and administer medications, while communicating with empathy and clarity to clients throughout the ER process.

Qualifications

• At least two years of relevant clinical veterinary experience is required.
• Licensed Veterinary Technician credentials are preferred; emergency or specialty experience is a plus.
• Strong patient assessment and technical skills, accurate medical calculations, and ability recognizing urgent needs.
• Clear, professional communication with clients and colleagues, including during emotional conversations.
• Ability to prioritize, stay organized, and follow through on documentation and handoffs.
• Collaborative approach and commitment to patient advocacy and continued learning.

Responsibilities

• Perform prompt triage assessments, obtain histories, and document presenting concerns and treatment approvals.
• Assess patient stability and alert doctors for immediate intervention if needed.
• Reassess waiting patients and update triage priority per protocols.
• Obtain vital signs, weights, BP, and glucose; communicate abnormal ECG results.
• Coordinate with clients and team to prioritize needs and maintain records in ezyVet and Vet Radar.
• Explain triage process to waiting clients and provide next steps with empathy.
• Collect diagnostic samples, perform in-house labs, and obtain radiographs safely.
• Place peripheral IV catheters, administer prescribed meds, assist with outpatient care.
• Prepare medications and discharge instructions for home care.

Skills

Emergency veterinary care

Clinical assessment

Client communication

Triage coordination

Medical calculations

Documentation

IV catheter placement

Education

Licensed Veterinary Technician

LVN/LVT credentials

Tools

ezyVet

Vet Radar

Job description

Where exceptional veterinary nurses build extraordinary careers.

Metropolitan Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Service Louisville, Kentucky | Jeffersontown

CARE

• COMPASSION
• TRUST
• TEAM

Help patients get the care they need from the moment they arrive. MVSES is seeking an experienced veterinary technician who combines strong clinical assessment skills with calm, compassionate client communication. As our ER Intake Technician, you will connect clients, Client Care Specialists, emergency doctors, and the nursing team to support safe triage, clear communication, and efficient patient flow.

Why join MVSES

Build your career in a privately owned specialty and emergency hospital where your observations and patient advocacy matter. You will have structured onboarding, standardized clinical training, and mentorship from experienced ER and ICU technicians, with access to a Criticalist and our RECOVER-certified emergency team. Our hospital offers advanced diagnostics, including MRI, CT, and ultrasound, alongside specialty services that support complex patient care.

Bring your experience, grow your confidence, and help deliver compassionate emergency care at MVSES.

The difference you will make

You will help patients and families move through the emergency visit-from initial assessment and intake to diagnostics, treatment, and discharge. Clinical duties are performed under veterinary direction and appropriate to your credentials, training, and demonstrated competency.

• Perform prompt triage assessments, obtain thorough histories, and document presenting concerns and required treatment approvals.
• Assess patient stability, recognize signs of pain, respiratory distress, or deterioration, and promptly alert the doctor and clinical team when immediate intervention is needed.
• Reassess waiting patients and update triage priority according to hospital protocols and changes in patient condition.
• Obtain accurate vital signs, weights, blood pressures, and blood glucose readings; recognize and communicate abnormal ECG parameters.
• Coordinate with Client Care Specialists and the clinical team to prioritize patient needs, support timely handoffs, and maintain accurate records in ezyVet and Vet Radar.
• Keep waiting clients informed in person and by telephone, explain the triage process, and communicate next steps with empathy.
• Collect diagnostic samples, perform in-house laboratory testing, and obtain radiographs using appropriate safety practices.
• Place peripheral IV catheters, administer prescribed SC, IM, and IV medications, and assist with outpatient treatments, wound preparation, and isolation patient care.
• Prepare prescribed oral medications and complete clear, efficient discharges, including medication instructions, home‑care education, and veterinarian‑directed follow‑up guidance.

What you bring

• At least two years of relevant clinical veterinary experience is required.
• Licensed Veterinary Technician credentials are preferred; emergency or specialty experience is a plus.
• Strong patient assessment and technical skills, accurate medical calculations, and confidence recognizing when a patient needs urgent attention.
• Clear, professional communication with clients and colleagues, including during emotional conversations and busy periods.
• The ability to prioritize, stay organized, and follow through on documentation and patient handoffs.
• A collaborative approach, willingness to accept feedback, and commitment to patient advocacy and continued learning.

Schedules that support consistency

Set days and consistent shifts mean you will not rotate between mornings and nights. Available schedule options include:

• Evenings, 3:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.: Sunday through Tuesday, plus every other Saturday.
• Evenings, 3:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.: Wednesday through Friday, plus every other Saturday.
• Weekend first‑shift opportunities.

Some holidays are required. We work to accommodate life events and individual scheduling needs.

Compensation And Benefits

MVSES offers competitive hourly compensation based on experience and qualifications, plus differentials for eligible hours worked:

• Saturday and Sunday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: an additional $3 per hour.
• Evenings, 6:00 p.m. to midnight: an additional $4 per hour.
• Overnights, midnight to 6:00 a.m.: an additional $5 per hour.

• 100% employer‑paid employee health insurance
• dental and vision options
• PTO, sick pay, and continuing education PTO
• holiday pay and call‑in stipends
• uniform and CE allowances
• a 401(k) with employer match
• a retention bonus
• and personal pet care discounts

About MVSES

For more than 30 years, MVSES has served Kentucky, Southern Indiana, and the surrounding region as a specialty referral and emergency hospital. Located in Louisville's Jeffersontown community, our services include Emergency and Critical Care, Surgery, Neurology, Internal Medicine, Dentistry, Dermatology, and a practice limited to eye care.

Explore the role and apply

Experienced in veterinary medicine but new to ER? We welcome you to tour our hospital, shadow an experienced emergency team member, or meet with our Nursing Director to discuss the role, training, and support available.