Veterinary Technician - Veterinary Specialty Center Tucson

Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 22,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid Parental Leave

401(k) with discretionary contribution

Team Member Pet Discounts

Emotional wellbeing support

Job summary

Veterinary Technician role at Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson provides care for pets and support for a busy 24/7 hospital. You will assist with examinations, treatments, nursing care, and client communication in a fast-paced environment.

The position offers opportunities to work with a board-certified team and gain expertise across ER, ICU, and specialty services in Tucson, Arizona. A flexible schedule including weekends and overnights is required.

Qualifications

• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Previous experience working in a veterinary hospital or clinical setting.
• Knowledge of veterinary medical terminology, patient handling, restraint, and basic nursing care.
• Ability to obtain and accurately record patient vital signs, including temperature, pulse, and respiration.
• Collecting and handling lab samples and performing in house diagnostic testing.
• Ability to administer medications and perform treatments as directed by DVM.
• Ability to recognize changes in patients condition.
• Strong communications, organizational, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast paced 24 hour emergency hospital.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, and overnight shifts.

Responsibilities

• Determine animal requirements by conducting examinations and interviews, reviewing care plans and records, completing laboratory tests and studies, and diagnostic imaging.
• Care for patients by taking vital signs, collecting samples, administering medications, drugs, and vaccines, and bandaging and wrapping wounds.
• Support patient examinations and operations by assembling required supplies and instruments, securing and bringing patients to examination rooms, and restraining patients; aids as directed by the veterinarian.
• Provide excellent pet care by applying full knowledge of anatomy, physiology, disease processes, pharmacology, specialized equipment usage, and specialized drug administration.
• Obtain and verify medications.
• Ensure that patients have food and water, clean patients' rooms, cages, and equipment; observe patients for clinical signs of disease.
• As directed, fill prescriptions and administer medications, including proper documentation, logging, and security of controlled drugs.
• Maintain a safe, secure, healthy, and humane environment by sterilizing and wrapping instruments, sanitizing and disinfecting holding and operating areas, storing sterile supplies, verifying shelf life, following standards and procedures, and in compliance with applicable legal regulations.
• Maintain medical records by documenting patients’ conditions, reactions, and changes; update the database in an accurate and timely manner.
• Communicate with the pet owner about the status of the patient, as directed by the veterinarian.
• Maintain equipment by following operating instructions, troubleshooting breakdowns, maintaining equipment supplies, performing preventive maintenance, and calling for repairs.
• Maintain inventory, place orders for needed supplies, verify, and maintain receipts.
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities and reading professional journals.
• Release pets to their owners as directed; ensure that every animal released is clean and properly groomed before their release.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Manager or practice.

Skills

Veterinary terminology

Patient handling

Restraint

Nursing care

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Veterinary Technician - Veterinary Specialty Center Tucson

Bring your skills to PetVet and earn a sign-on bonus of up to $1,000 based on your experience as a credentialed veterinary technician!

PetVet Care Centers' Veterinary Specialty Center Tucson is currently seeking a Veterinary Technician to join our team!

At PetVet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people — providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage — for all the moments that matter.

Because life is better with pets.

Ultimate Care Experience — every pet, every client, every time. That starts with a Culture of Care that supports our team members as much as the pets and clients we serve.

With more than 420 locally led hospitals and over 11,000 team members nationwide, we offer:

• Local autonomy with national support
• Career mobility and development opportunities
• A collaborative, inclusive environment where your wellbeing comes first

You care for pets. We care for you.

Position Overview

Join our team as a Veterinary Technician who supports hospital operations by providing dedicated quality veterinary care and exceptional service to our patients and clients. Responsibilities include providing patient care by determining animal requirements, conducting examinations and diagnostic procedures, assisting during surgery and operations, providing nursing care, assisting with feeding and caring for patients, maintaining medical supplies and equipment, overseeing triage and discharging patients, and maintaining patient medical records.

Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson in Tucson, Arizona has been West Tucson's most trusted specialty and emergency resource since 2004, distinguished by a key institutional commitment: VSCOT employs senior in-house doctors rather than rotating relief staff, ensuring continuity of care and clinical expertise that patients and their families can count on every visit. Available 24/7 with a board-certified criticalist always on site, along with a board-certified surgeon and radiologist by appointment, VSCOT draws patients from as far as Sierra Vista, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Las Cruces NM, and El Paso TX — a testament to its regional reputation for outstanding care.

Why Join Us:

• Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson is a 24-hour emergency and specialty hospital dedicated to providing high-quality care to dogs and cats.
• Our team works collaboratively across ER, ICU, and outpatient services, offering opportunities to gain experience with a wide variety of cases in a fast-paced clinical environment.
• We have a collaborative medical team that includes a board-certified surgeon, criticalist, and radiologist, along with experienced credentialed veterinary technicians.
• We value teamwork, continued learning, professional growth, and compassionate patient care.

Key Responsibilities

• Determine animal requirements by conducting examinations and interviews, reviewing care plans and records, completing laboratory tests and studies, and diagnostic imaging.
• Care for patients by taking vital signs, collecting samples, administering medications, drugs, and vaccines, and bandaging and wrapping wounds.
• Support patient examinations and operations by assembling required supplies and instruments, securing and bringing patients to examination rooms, and restraining patients; aids as directed by the veterinarian.
• Provide excellent pet care by applying full knowledge of anatomy, physiology, disease processes, pharmacology, specialized equipment usage, and specialized drug administration.
• Obtain and verify medications.
• Ensure that patients have food and water, clean patients' rooms, cages, and equipment; observe patients for clinical signs of disease.
• As directed, fill prescriptions and administer medications, including proper documentation, logging, and security of controlled drugs.
• Maintain a safe, secure, healthy, and humane environment by sterilizing and wrapping instruments, sanitizing and disinfecting holding and operating areas, storing sterile supplies, verifying shelf life, following standards and procedures, and in compliance with applicable legal regulations.
• Maintain medical records by documenting patients’ conditions, reactions, and changes; update the database in an accurate and timely manner.
• Communicate with the pet owner about the status of the patient, as directed by the veterinarian.
• Maintain equipment by following operating instructions, troubleshooting breakdowns, maintaining equipment supplies, performing preventive maintenance, and calling for repairs.
• Maintain inventory, place orders for needed supplies, verify, and maintain receipts.
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities and reading professional journals.
• Release pets to their owners as directed; ensure that every animal released is clean and properly groomed before their release.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Manager or practice.

Qualifications (Required)

• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to be considered for this position
• High school diploma or GED.
• Previous experience working in a veterinary hospital or clinical setting.
• Knowledge of veterinary medical terminology, patient handling, restraint, and basic nursing care.
• Ability to obtain and accurately record patient vital signs, including temperature, pulse, and respiration.
• Collecting and handling lab samples and performing in house diagnostic testing.
• Ability to administer medications and perform treatments as directed by DVM.
• Ability to recognize changes in patients condition
• Strong communications, organizational, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast paced 24 hour emergency hospital.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, and overnight shifts.

Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)

• Previous experience in a 24 hour emergency hospital.
• Experience with triage, patient assessment, and recognizing, changed in patient conditions.
• Familiarity with anesthesia monitoring, anesthesia procedures, and post op care.
• Experience working collaboratively with DVMs, CSRs, and Technicians.
• Experience managing hospitalized patients.
• VTS, LVT. CVT certification is a plus

Schedule

• PRN, Rotating Shift
• Based on hospital needs including, weekends, days, swings, and overnight shifts

What We Offer

What We Offer
We care deeply about supporting our team members — professionally and personally. Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid Parental Leave (birth, adoption, foster)
• 401(k) with discretionary contribution
• Team Member Pet Discounts
• Emotional wellbeing support — including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP
• CE stipends and career development resources
• Grant Circle — a relief fund for team members facing personal hardship
• Local hospital culture backed by national resources

At PetVet Care Centers, we’re committed to aCulture of Care — for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. With more than 400 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 dedicated professionals, including 1700+ veterinarians, we offer a unique blend of local leadership and national support that helps our hospitals thrive.

PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V

PetVet respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. Please see our privacy notice for additional information about our data practices.

Why Consider Our Tucson Hospital?

At Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson, our team members all share the same passion for making and keeping animals healthy.

Our hospital truly is an excellent place to work, with a highly skilled team focused on 'best in practice' veterinary care.

We are very supportive of individuals looking to grow their veterinary careers and look forward to hearing from you.

We invite you to explore your veterinary career options with Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson, where you'll be a respected member of a team that loves animals and values the contributions from every individual on the team.

• We invite you to explore your veterinary career options with Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson, where you'll be a respected member of a team that loves animals and values the contributions from every individual on the team. - Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson Team