Veterinary Technician - Surgery

COVE Animal Health; 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 holiday pay

401(k) with employer match

Uniform allowance and personal pet discount

Paid continuing education and professional development opportunities

Job summary

COVE Animal Health in Portland, Maine, is seeking a full-time Surgical Veterinary Technician to join their esteemed surgical team. Responsibilities include managing all aspects of surgical nursing, assisting during procedures, and providing post-operative care. Ideal candidates will hold a veterinary technician license and possess strong experience in anesthesia and surgical procedures. Competitive compensation starting at $22-34/hr, along with a sign-on bonus, is offered to the right candidate. This position emphasizes teamwork and high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in anesthesia and surgical procedures.
• Veterinary Assistants with extensive surgical experience may be considered.
• Passion for learning and contributing to a high-performance surgical team.

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.
• Collaborate with DVMs, residents, and the surgical support team.
• Communicate compassionately with clients and ensure patients are treated with kindness.

Skills

anesthesia

surgical procedures

organizational skills

communication skills

teamwork

Education

Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT/CVT/RVT)

Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS)

Job description

Career Opportunities with COVE Animal Health

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Branding:

Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care

Join our Exceptional Team at Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care!

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 are honored to be recognized as the Best Veterinary Hospital in Maine, receiving Gold in the Portland Radio Group's Best of the 207 Awards for four consecutive years: 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Why PVESC?

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

At PVESC, we foster a team-driven culture where every voice matters. We encourage all team members to contribute their thoughts, ideas, and energy to help us achieve collective success. We work collaboratively to make sure every member has the opportunity to shape their work life and grow professionally.

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. In this role, you will:

• 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

If you’re a veterinary technician looking to elevate your leadership and clinical skills in a high‑impact role, we’d love to connect with you. Apply today and lead the future of care at PVESC.