Veterinary Technician - Surgery and Anesthesia

Carolina Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital; Hickory (NC); On-site; USD 44,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Life insurance

Employee pet care discounts

Job summary

Carolina Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital in Hickory, NC is expanding its Surgery and Anesthesia team. This full-time role offers hands-on training ahead of the January 2027 expansion and the opportunity to work with experienced surgeons and emergency clinicians.

We’re seeking an RVT or experienced veterinary assistant with strong surgery or anesthesia experience to join in November for training. Ideal candidates thrive in a high-volume specialty environment and are ready to grow

Qualifications

• Experience in veterinary surgery, anesthesia, emergency medicine, specialty medicine, or high‑volume surgery.
• Strong understanding of anesthesia monitoring, perioperative nursing, and patient safety.
• Ability to stay calm, organized and focused during emergencies.
• Strong clinical judgment, communication, teamwork, and attention to detail.
• Willingness to obtain RECOVER CPR certification or have it already.

Responsibilities

• Prepare patients for surgery, anesthesia, and advanced procedures.
• Calculate and administer anesthetic and perioperative medications.
• Monitor anesthesia induction, monitoring, and recovery; manage vital signs.

Skills

Surgery anesthesia

Emergency medicine

Communication

Teamwork

CPR certification

Education

RVT/LVT/CVT preferred

Job description

Veterinary Technician - Surgery and Anesthesia

Department: Veterinary Technicians

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hickory, North Carolina

Reporting To: Ashlin White

Compensation: $21.00 - $26.00 / hour

Description

Build the Next Chapter of Surgery at CASE

Carolina Animal Specialty and Emergency (CASE) | Hickory, NC

Full-Time | November 2026 Training Start | New Surgical Service Expansion January 2027

CASE is growing our Surgery and Anesthesia service with a new surgeon joining the team in January 2027. We’re looking for an experienced Veterinary Technician or Veterinary Assistant to join the team in November and receive hands‑on training ahead of this exciting expansion.

If you thrive in a specialty and emergency hospital, enjoy advanced anesthesia, and want to work alongside experienced surgeons and emergency clinicians, this is an opportunity to take your skills to the next level.

Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) preferred. Experienced Veterinary Assistants with strong surgery or anesthesia experience are encouraged to apply.

What You’ll Do

Surgery & Anesthesia

• Prepare patients for surgery, anesthesia, and advanced procedures
• Calculate and administer anesthetic and perioperative medications
• Perform anesthesia induction, monitoring, and recovery
• Monitor ECG, blood pressure, SpO₂, ETCO₂, temperature, and ventilation
• Recognize anesthetic changes and communicate concerns quickly
• Assist with soft tissue and orthopedic surgery
• Maintain sterile technique and efficient surgical workflow
• Prepare instruments, surgical packs, and equipment
• Provide post-operative nursing care and pain‑management support

Emergency & Critical Care

• Support emergency surgical cases and urgent procedures
• Care for hospitalized and ICU surgical patients
• Recognize changes in patient condition and respond appropriately
• Participate in CPR and emergency response
• Collaborate with Emergency and Critical Care teams during complex cases

Technical Nursing

• IV catheter placement and venipuncture
• Medication administration
• Laboratory diagnostics and radiology support
• Patient assessment, monitoring, and nursing care
• Accurate medical records and treatment documentation

What We’re Looking For

• Previous experience in veterinary surgery, anesthesia, emergency medicine, specialty medicine, or high-volume surgery
• Strong understanding of anesthesia monitoring, perioperative nursing, and patient safety
• Ability to remain calm, organized, and focused during complex or emergency cases
• Strong clinical judgment, communication, teamwork, and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced specialty hospital
• RVT/LVT/CVT preferred
• Emergency, specialty, orthopedic, soft tissue surgery, or advanced anesthesia experience preferred
• RECOVER CPR certification preferred or willingness to obtain

Experienced Veterinary Assistants with strong surgery, anesthesia, emergency, critical care, or high-volume spay/neuter experience are encouraged to apply.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

This position requires the ability to work in a fast‑paced Emergency and Specialty veterinary hospital. Essential functions include:

• Standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and remaining active for extended periods
• Safely lifting, carrying, and assisting with movement of animals and equipment up to 50 pounds, with assistance when needed
• Safely restraining and positioning canine and feline patients during examinations, diagnostics, anesthesia, surgery, and recovery
• Performing repetitive tasks requiring manual dexterity, including catheter placement, venipuncture, medication administration, anesthesia support, and equipment operation
• Working around blood, bodily fluids, sharps, medical gases, anesthetic agents, infectious materials, animal dander, odors, cleaning agents, and veterinary chemicals
• Wearing required PPE, including surgical attire, gloves, masks, eye protection, and radiation safety equipment
• Responding quickly during emergencies, including CPR and life‑saving interventions
• Communicating effectively with doctors, technicians, assistants, clients, leadership, and referring veterinary partners
• Adapting to changing priorities in a high‑volume clinical environment

Grow Your Surgery and Anesthesia Career

• Continuing education allowance + paid CE time
• Paid training and specialty skill development
• Tuition reimbursement opportunities
• Specialty technician growth and leadership development
• Licensure renewal supportStudent loan assistance opportunities
• Career advancement within the Innovetive Petcare network
• Mentorship from experienced surgeons, anesthetists, and specialty clinicians

Eligible recently credentialed RVTs may also qualify for HeadStart Student Loan Support, including student loan assistance and professional development resources.

Full-Time Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Life insurance
• Employee assistance and mental health resources
• Employee pet care discounts
• Professional membership and licensure support

Why Hickory?

Build your career with a growing Emergency and Specialty veterinary hospital in Hickory, NC, with easy access to Charlotte, Asheville, and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Ready to Advance Your Surgery & Anesthesia Career?

If you’re an experienced Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) or Veterinary Assistant looking for an opportunity to practice advanced medicine, we want to meet you.

Join CASE in November, train alongside our team, and help us build the next chapter of Surgery and Anesthesia in January 2027.