Veterinary Technician/Kennel Attendant

Karnsanimalclinic; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Roth Retirement Savings Plan

Flexible Spending Account

529 Savings Plan

Tuition Support Program

Referral Bonus Program

Health insurance (medical, dental, and

Vision

Paid Time Off

Pet discounts on services and products

Job summary

Karns Animal Clinic in Knoxville, TN is seeking a full-time Kennel Technician to join our dedicated team. This hands-on role supports hospital and kennel operations, focusing on daily animal care, surgical preparation, and post-operative support in a fast-paced veterinary setting.

You will work with a collaborative team that values growth, compassion, and high-quality care for every patient while enjoying comprehensive benefits and a supportive work-life balance.

Qualifications

• Passion for animal care and patient well-being.
• Dependable, compassionate, and attentive.
• Able to stay organized in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to ask for help and offer help to others.
• Empathy for clients, coworkers, patients, and yourself.
• Desire to grow professionally while encouraging teammates.
• Previous kennel/veterinary experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care for animals (feeding, watering, exercise).
• Clean and sanitize kennels, cages, and work areas.
• Monitor patients and report concerns to a supervisor or veterinarian.
• Prepare patients for surgery by shaving, cleaning, and disinfecting sites.
• Monitor anesthesia and vital signs during surgical procedures.
• Provide post-operative care and assist with pain management.
• Clean, sanitize, pack, and prepare surgical instruments and equipment.
• Support hospital and kennel teams with additional patient-care and cleaning tasks.

Skills

Animal care

Teamwork

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Empathy

Job description

Karns Animal Clinic is Hiring a Kennel Technician!

Role: Kennel Technician
Status: Full-time
Salary: Negotiable and based on experience
Schedule: Full-time schedule. Weekends are required.
Experience: Previous kennel, animal care, or veterinary experience preferred

Benefits Highlights

• Financial Rewards that Grow with You: A flexible approach to compensation that reflects your skill set and future performance, 401(k) matching & Roth Retirement Savings Plan, Flexible Spending Account, 529 Savings Plan, Tuition Support Program, and Referral Bonus Program.
• Wellness & Peace of Mind: Health insurance including medical, dental, and vision, supplemental insurance options, Health Savings Account, Sick Time / Paid Time Off, free or discounted Antech lab work for employee pets, pet discounts on services and products, and a pet food discount program.
• Professional Growth & Recognition: Quarterly Team Rewards Bonus Program, state license reimbursement, VTNE exam fee reimbursement, continuing education allowance, uniform allowance, and access to Vetcor's TechLife professional community.
• Lifestyle Perks You’ll Appreciate: Six paid holidays, an Employee Assistance Program, and an employee discount program.

Looking for a hands-on veterinary role where every day brings something new and your work directly supports pets throughout their hospital and kennel stay?

Karns Animal Clinic is searching for a full-time Kennel Technician to join our fantastic team. We have a strong structure that supports consistent, high-quality medical care, but we also know how to have fun while working through the fast-paced and rewarding challenges of veterinary medicine.

Why You'll Love It Here

At Karns Animal Clinic, our Kennel Technicians play an important role in caring for pets staying in both our hospital and kennel. You'll work alongside a supportive team that values collaboration, professional growth, mutual respect, and a people-first approach.

This role offers the opportunity to provide essential daily animal care while also supporting surgical preparation, anesthesia monitoring, patient recovery, and hospital operations. It's an active position for someone who enjoys learning, helping others, and making a meaningful difference for every patient.

What You'll Do

• Provide daily care for animals, including feeding, watering, and exercise.
• Clean and sanitize kennels, cages, and work areas to maintain a safe and healthy environment.
• Monitor patients' health and behavior and report concerns to a supervisor or veterinarian.
• Prepare patients for surgery by shaving, cleaning, and disinfecting surgical sites.
• Monitor anesthesia, vital signs, and patient status during surgical procedures.
• Provide post-operative care, including monitoring recovery, supporting pain management, and dressing wounds as directed.
• Clean, sanitize, pack, and prepare surgical instruments and equipment.
• Support the hospital and kennel teams with additional patient-care and cleaning responsibilities as needed.

What You'll Bring

• A genuine passion for animal care and patient well-being.
• A dependable, compassionate, and attentive approach to your work.
• The ability to stay organized and effective in a fast-paced environment.
• A willingness to ask for help and offer help to others.
• Empathy for clients, coworkers, patients, and yourself.
• A positive, supportive attitude grounded in teamwork and mutual respect.
• A desire to grow professionally while encouraging the growth of your teammates.
• Previous kennel, animal care, or veterinary experience is preferred.

The Extras You'll Actually Feel

You'll become part of a team of dedicated professionals who put people first and understand that remarkable results come from supporting one another. You'll gain hands-on experience across kennel care, hospital patient support, surgical preparation, anesthesia monitoring, and post-operative care while building skills that can support a rewarding veterinary career.

Benefits You Can't Beat

• A flexible approach to compensation that reflects your skill set and future performance
• 401(k) matching & Roth Retirement Savings Plan
• Flexible Spending Account (full-time only)
• 529 Savings Plan
• Tuition Support Program (full-time only)
• Referral Bonus Program
• Health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision (full-time only)
• Supplemental insurance, including accident, critical illness, hospital, short- and long-term disability, legal plan, and employee, spouse, and child life insurance (full-time only)
• Up to three weeks of full pay for the birth or adoption of a child (full-time employees only; available after one year of service. In states with paid family leave programs, this benefit does not apply.)
• Sick Time / Paid Time Off
• Free/discounted lab work for all employee pets
• Pet discounts on services and products
• Quarterly Team Rewards Bonus Program
• Continuing education allowance
• Six paid holidays (full-time only)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discount program

Don't miss this opportunity to join an amazing team that values quality care, professional growth, teamwork, and having fun along the way. If you think you're the Kennel Technician we're looking for.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values at Karns Animal Clinic and Vetcor. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working and learning environment for all employees. Every team member enriches our diversity by bringing unique perspectives and experiences that strengthen our team. That's why we're committed to a workplace culture where employees feel comfortable being their authentic selves, experience a true sense of belonging, and are empowered to reach their highest potential.

Prioritize your work-life balance and enjoy a fulfilling time away from work with our generous offerings.

• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays

Training & Development

Unleash your potential and foster professional growth through our comprehensive education and training programs.

• Vetcor University - training for skill development and career growth
• CE Allowance and opportunities
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Lend a Hand Program - increased pay to help a sister hospital
• VetLife Days - rotate to a sister hospital

Enjoy exclusive benefits for you and your furry family members.

• Discounted Products

Health & Welfare

Take care of your well-being with our comprehensive health and wellness benefits.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Optional Life Insurance, Disability, and Accidental Insurance
• EAP with counseling and mental health benefits
• DVM Professional Liability Insurance fully covered
• Licensure Fees, Professional & Association Dues

Financial Wellbeing

Secure your financial future with our range of offerings designed to promote your financial well-being.

• 401K with company contribution
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account
• EAP with Financial & Legal Advice/Services
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Employee Referral Bonus

Time Off/Work Life Balance

Prioritize your work-life balance and enjoy a fulfilling time away from work with our generous offerings.

• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays

Training & Development

Unleash your potential and foster professional growth through our comprehensive education and training programs.

• Vetcor University - training for skill development and career growth
• CE Allowance and opportunities
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Lend a Hand Program - increased pay to help a sister hospital
• VetLife Days - rotate to a sister hospital

Enjoy exclusive benefits for you and your furry family members.

• Discounted Products

Health & Welfare

Take care of your well-being with our comprehensive health and wellness benefits.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Optional Life Insurance, Disability, and Accidental Insurance
• EAP with counseling and mental health benefits
• DVM Professional Liability Insurance fully covered
• Licensure Fees, Professional & Association Dues

Financial Wellbeing

Secure your financial future with our range of offerings designed to promote your financial well-being.

• 401K with company contribution
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account
• EAP with Financial & Legal Advice/Services
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Employee Referral Bonus

Time Off/Work Life Balance

Prioritize your work-life balance and enjoy a fulfilling time away from work with our generous offerings.