Veterinary Technician - Surgery

NVA General Practice; Los Gatos (CA); On-site; USD 33,062 - 57,859; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental & vision

Paid time off

401(k) benefits

Discounted veterinary services

Continuing education

Job summary

Adobe Animal Hospital in Los Altos/Los Gatos area seeks an experienced Veterinary Technician (RVT) to join a fast-paced team. The role involves outpatient care, coordination of appointments, and providing high-quality patient care across dentistry, soft-tissue surgery, and wellness visits.

Base wage ranges from $24 to $42 per hour, with weekend and holiday shifts. The hospital emphasizes client interaction within an Open Hospital policy and offers benefits and CE opportunities.

Qualifications

• Must be a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) or field-trained assistant with 1–2+ years of experience.
• RVT license required.
• Strong client service and professional attitude.
• Excellent written and oral communication with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Direct workflow and provide advice to owners in person or over the phone; coordinate appointments.
• Perform veterinary technical skills efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Assess patient care status, review plans, and document as needed.
• Explain treatments, procedures, medications, and disease processes to clients.
• Give IM, IV, and SQ injections; draw blood; place IV catheters.
• Monitor vital signs and report abnormalities to the doctor.
• Understand disease processes and clinical terminology; calculate dosages and administer medications.
• Monitor critical care patients and place IV catheters as needed.
• Perform radiographs and ensure safety standards.
• Maintain department cleanliness and organization.
• Assist in training new technicians and provide staff leadership.
• Promote positive attitude and mission/vision alignment.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Teamwork

Decision making

Multi-tasking

Attention to detail

Education

RVT license

High school diploma

Job description

Position Title: Veterinary Technician

Job Type: Non-Exempt

Schedule: Varies based on hospital; Day shifts needed

Hourly Rate: The base salary range for this full-time position is $24-$42 per hour. Our salary ranges are primarily determined by role, level, and location. The range provided for each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Are you looking for an environment to expand your veterinary nursing skills while working with a supportive team of RVTs, Veterinary Assistants and Doctors? This hospital is unique in its Open Hospital policy, which allows clients to stay with their pets throughout their visit. This policy creates a learning experience that enhances technician skills and client interaction.

Our hospital is very fast‑paced. We see a mix of scheduled wellness visits, elective soft‑tissue surgeries, and dental procedures. Outpatient Team Members are responsible for all outpatient care and procedures. You will manage all scheduled technician, wellness, and urgent care appointments and the associated care. This position requires technician experience.

This role is ideal for someone who wants to gain experience in all aspects of veterinary medicine. It requires multi‑tasking, critical thinking, attentive decision‑making, and calm crisis response while maintaining high standards of patient care. Technicians must communicate clearly with veterinarians, practice personnel, and clients to ensure patients receive the necessary care. Enjoy working with people and animals.

This position requires working at least one weekend shift (Saturday or Sunday) per week and two holiday shifts each year.

Veterinary Nursing Responsibilities

• Able to help direct the workflow and accurately and efficiently provide advice to owners in person or over the phone, relay messages, and coordinate appointments.
• Able to perform veterinary technical skills efficiently, accurately, and with little supervision.
• Assess patient care status, review plans, perform treatments per the veterinarian’s orders, and document as necessary.
• Interact with clients and patients, take an accurate history, obtain vitals, explain treatments, procedures, medications, and disease processes.
• Give IM, IV, and SQ injections; obtain blood samples from multiple sites; place IV catheters.
• Understand vital parameters (HR, RR, MM/CRT), accurately obtain them, and report abnormalities to the doctor.
• Understand common disease processes and use appropriate medical terminology.
• Familiarity with common medications and applications, standard doses, contraindications; accurately calculate dosages and administer medications.
• Monitor, assess, and treat critical care patients; update doctor and client on status and place IV catheters as needed.
• Perform radiographs, evaluate positioning and exposure, and adhere to safety standards.
• Monitor sedated or anesthetized patients.
• Use diagnostic equipment and perform in‑house lab tests including blood smears, PCV/TP, BG, skin/ear cytology, and ELISA snap tests.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization throughout the department, including rooms, treatment areas, cages, and runs.

Learning & Leadership

• Assist in training new technicians as needed.
• Provide staff leadership for tasks in a professional and personable way.
• Promote a positive attitude and demonstrate a commitment to the mission/vision.
• Willingness to train and share skills and knowledge.
• A thirst for knowledge obtained formally and informally.
• Strong work ethic, flexibility, and high integrity.
• Initiative: assess and initiate action to resolve or improve situations independently.
• Make suggestions for how to improve practice protocols.

Essential Qualifications

• A Registered Veterinary Technician or field‑trained assistant with 1‑2 years or more of experience. RVT license required and extensive prior experience.
• Offer genuine client service and maintain a professional, courteous, and helpful attitude.
• Strong dedication and commitment to quality care.
• Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills and incredible attention to detail.
• Must be able to make independent thoughtful decisions and solve complex problems.
• Ability to maintain excellent teamwork and communication skills under stressful situations, working toward a common goal of helping patients and clients.
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment.
• Willingness and ability to proactively jump in wherever help is needed; drive to explore innovative ideas to improve things for the team, clients, and patients.
• High school diploma or equivalent and 18 years of age or older.
• Must be able to lift or move 40lbs independently.
• Ability to walk, stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, and use hands and arms regularly; sit and stand for extended periods of time.
• Must be available to work weekends and holidays as needed.
• Open to working at Los Gatos Animal Hospital when needed.
• Background check when hired.

Cover Letter

Cover letters are encouraged but not required. If you are considering including a cover letter, we would love to learn who you are and what you are looking for. Why are you interested in working for Adobe Animal Hospital as a Veterinary Technician, what skills and abilities make you an ideal applicant for this position, and what do you hope to contribute to our medical department and Adobe Animal Hospital as a whole?

Base Wage: $24-$42 per hour based on experience.

Shifts: Day.

Position Location: Los Altos home base; travel to Los Gatos Hospital when needed.

Wages & Differentials

• Base wages are determined by the skills you know on the Adobe competency skills list.
• During the interview process we will ask you to review our competency list and complete a self‑evaluation so we may assess your current Veterinary Technician skill level.
• Differentials—additional pay that can be added onto your base wage for specific skills, projects, or shifts.
• 40‑Hour Work Week: $2.25/hour.
• Weekend: $3/hour.
• RVT License: $6/hour.

Benefits

• Health benefits, dental, vision & more!
• Paid sick, vacation & holiday time.
• 401(k) benefits.
• Discounted veterinary services.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Continuing education for professional development.

Equal Opportunity Statement

It is the policy of Adobe Animal Hospitals to afford equal opportunities for all qualified persons, regardless of their actual or perceived race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status (including registered domestic partnership status), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), gender (including gender identity and expression), age (40 and over), sexual orientation, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, and any other consideration protected by federal, state, or local law (sometimes referred to, collectively, as “protected characteristics”).