Certified Veterinary Technician - Companion Animal Rehabilitation

Alpha Animal Rehabilitation and Fitness • West Caldwell, NJ

6h • Onsite

About The Position

Alpha Animal Rehabilitation & Fitness is seeking a Certified Veterinary Technician to support canine and feline orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation, post-operative recovery, senior mobility, pain management, conditioning, and fitness. The technician works closely with Certified Companion Animal Rehabilitation Therapists to help provide safe, organized, and productive rehabilitation sessions and support patients throughout recovery. Prior rehabilitation experience is preferred but not required; training is provided.

The role combines veterinary patient care, rehabilitation assistance, hydrotherapy, therapeutic exercise, clinical documentation, client communication, and facility support. The technician observes patients and reports relevant changes to the supervising therapist, but does not independently diagnose, develop treatment plans, or prescribe. The position is full-time in Fairfield, New Jersey, with availability required during regular weekday operating hours. Occasional community, training, or educational events may be available. Compensation is $25.00–$35.00 per hour.

Requirements

• Current Certified Veterinary Technician, Licensed Veterinary Technician, or Registered Veterinary Technician credential, as applicable.
• Graduate of an accredited veterinary technology program.
• Strong animal-handling and patient-restraint skills.
• Understanding of canine and feline anatomy, medical terminology, and common disease processes.
• Ability to recognize pain, stress, fatigue, and changes in patient condition.
• Excellent communication and client-service skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to patient safety.
• Dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Willingness to learn rehabilitation-specific techniques and protocols.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and frequently bend, kneel, squat, reach, and move between floor and standing positions.
• Ability to assist with lifting, supporting, or transferring patients when safe and appropriate.
• Ability to work in and around water during hydrotherapy sessions and safely manage patients with weakness, paralysis, pain, balance deficits, or behavioral concerns.
• Ability to use mobility supports, harnesses, slings, carts, and rehabilitation equipment and perform repetitive cleaning, setup, and equipment-reset tasks.

Nice To Haves

• Previous veterinary rehabilitation experience; it is preferred but not required.
• Experience in neurology, orthopedic surgery, emergency or specialty medicine, general veterinary practice, post-operative patient care, senior or hospice care, pain management, sports medicine, hydrotherapy, low-stress handling or Fear Free practices, canine fitness or conditioning, or bracing, orthotics, prosthetics, or mobility devices.

Responsibilities

• Assist rehabilitation therapists during evaluations and treatment sessions, and safely handle and position canine and feline patients.
• Assist with orthopedic, neurological, post-operative, geriatric, and chronic-pain cases, including therapeutic exercises, gait training, balance activities, strengthening, proprioceptive exercises, and functional mobility.
• Support neurological patients during assisted standing, transfers, weight shifting, and locomotor training.
• Monitor patients for pain, fatigue, stress, respiratory changes, weakness, and changes in neurological status; communicate clinical observations to the rehabilitation therapist.
• Help modify treatment environments to support patient safety and confidence.
• Assist patients entering and exiting the underwater treadmill; apply and adjust harnesses, slings, flotation devices, and mobility supports.
• Monitor gait, posture, endurance, respiratory effort, and comfort during hydrotherapy; assist with water settings and positioning under therapist direction.
• Clean, sanitize, and prepare hydrotherapy equipment, maintain water quality, and complete required maintenance logs.
• Train in and assist with preparation or application of rehabilitation modalities within the employee’s training, scope, and clinic protocols.
• Set up and guide therapeutic exercises for strength, balance, flexibility, endurance, and coordination; use rehabilitation equipment and assist with exercise progression under therapist direction.
• Observe movement quality, compensations, fatigue, and patient tolerance, and encourage patients using positive reinforcement and low-stress handling.
• Obtain and document patient weight, vital signs, pain observations, and other requested information; review available records, surgical history, precautions, and referring veterinarian recommendations.
• Recognize changes requiring therapist or veterinarian attention; assist with wound observations, bandage awareness, incision monitoring, emergency preparedness, and medication-history verification as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate treatment notes and patient documentation, and communicate professionally with referring veterinary teams when directed.
• Welcome clients, explain rehabilitation activities, demonstrate home exercises under therapist direction, reinforce safe mobility and handling, and review home exercise instructions and equipment use.
• Communicate patient progress and concerns to the supervising therapist and support families managing surgery, neurological injury, chronic pain, or age-related decline.
• Prepare and reset treatment areas, clean and disinfect equipment, assist with opening, lunch, and closing duties, maintain supplies, and support efficient patient flow.
• Participate in team meetings, staff education, and clinical training; collaborate with therapists, assistants, client care coordinators, veterinarians, and referral partners.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and professional environment.

Benefits

• Mentorship from Certified Companion Animal Rehabilitation Therapists.
• Structured training in orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation, therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular re-education, hydrotherapy, and rehabilitation modalities.
• Exposure to advanced mobility equipment, braces, prosthetics, and carts.
• Internal clinical workshops and case discussions.
• Support for continuing education in companion animal rehabilitation.
• Opportunities for increased clinical responsibility as skills and competency develop.
• Potential growth into a senior rehabilitation technician or leadership position.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree