Veterinary Technician - Surgery

Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care; Portland (ME); On-site; USD 30,307 - 46,838; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Life insurance and long-term disability

Paid time off and paid volunteer hours

401(k) with employer match

Uniform allowance

Paid continuing education

Job summary

A leading veterinary practice in Portland, Maine is seeking a Surgical Veterinary Technician. This full-time role involves managing surgical nursing aspects from patient intake to post-operative care, supporting board-certified surgeons. Starting compensation ranges from $22 to $34 per hour with up to a $2,500 sign-on bonus. We value team collaboration, communication skills, and offer competitive benefits including medical insurance, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience in anesthesia and surgical procedures.
• Veterinary Assistants with extensive surgical experience may be considered.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist with anesthesia induction, monitoring, and recovery.
• Support soft tissue, orthopedic, laparoscopic, and neurosurgeries.
• Prepare surgical patients and maintain sterile technique in the OR.
• Perform post-operative care, treatments, and documentation.

Skills

Anesthesia

Surgical procedures

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Collaborative approach

Education

Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT/CVT/RVT) or Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS)

Job description

Portland Veterinary Emergency and Speciality Care (PVESC) has been serving Maine for over thirty years. At PVESC, we offer expert multi-specialty and emergency care services for our patients and peace of mind for our clients. We work in partnership with veterinary practices throughout New England to step in when more advanced care is needed.

At PVESC we believe in respect for the individual, the client, and the patient. We work together as a team and expect all members of that team to treat one another respectfully. Our goal is to provide the highest quality medical, surgical and critical care to our patients, and offer excellent service to our clients.

We Believe In

• Caring & Compassion
• Responsibility
• Integrated Care
• Teamwork
• Client Focus
• Respect
• Ethical Practice
• Communication
• Commitment

PVESC is committed to valuing you by providing a rewarding compensation package that includes fair base pay commensurate with your experience, and an extensive benefit plan.

Are you a Veterinary Technician who thrives in fast-paced environments and takes pride in guiding others? At Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care (PVESC), we believe strong leadership is the backbone of exceptional patient care. That’s why we’ve created a team-focused, high-performance culture where your leadership makes a lasting impact on patients, clients, and fellow team members.

Our Mission

We’re here to improve the lives of pets, their families, and our community by delivering compassionate, high-quality emergency and specialty care. If you’re someone who finds joy in making a meaningful impact and thrives in a team-driven setting, we’d love for you to explore this opportunity.

About PVESC

We are a growing multi-specialty emergency and specialty veterinary practice located in beautiful Portland, Maine. Our services include Emergency & Critical Care, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Oncology, Dermatology, Neurology, Cardiology, and more. With endless opportunities for professional development, PVESC is the ideal place to grow your veterinary career.

We value our team members and are committed to providing a supportive and rewarding workplace. In addition to competitive compensation based on experience, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance, long-term disability, and more
• Paid time off, paid volunteer hours, and holiday pay
• 401(k) with employer match
• Uniform allowance and personal pet discount
• Paid continuing education and professional development opportunities

Anticipated Schedule
This is a full-time position

• Some holidays are required

Compensation

• Starting at $22-34/hr, commensurate with experience and licensure
• up to $2,500 sign on bonus, commensurate with experience and licensure

What You’ll Do

As a Surgical Veterinary Technician, you’ll work closely with five board-certified surgeons, surgical residents, and interns. This role involves managing all aspects of surgical nursing—from patient intake and diagnostics to anesthesia, surgical assistance, and post-op recovery.

• Assist with anesthesia induction, monitoring, and recovery
• Support soft tissue, orthopedic, laparoscopic, and neurosurgeries
• Prepare surgical patients and maintain sterile technique in the OR
• Perform post-operative care, treatments, and documentation
• Collaborate with DVMs, residents, and the surgical support team to provide top-tier care
• Communicate compassionately with clients and ensure patients are treated with kindness, dignity, and professionalism
• Help with department flow, scheduling, and maintaining equipment and surgical supplies

Who We're Looking For

• Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT/CVT/RVT) or Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) preferred
• Strong experience in anesthesia and surgical procedures
• Veterinary Assistants with extensive surgical experience may be considered
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• A collaborative, team-first approach to patient care
• Passion for learning and contributing to a high-performance surgical team