Registered Veterinary Technician

ASPCA • Columbus, OH

1d • $28 - $31 • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) is a trained and licensed veterinary technician who partners with veterinarians and colleagues to provide compassionate, high-quality veterinary care at the ASPCA’s Cruelty Recovery Center (CRC) in Columbus, Ohio. The role supports examinations, treatments, diagnostic testing, nursing care, and shelter medicine best practices, using low-stress handling techniques. The RVT also assists the Veterinary Forensics team with examinations and evidence collection for animal cruelty cases. Work is divided between animals at the CRC and support for animals in foster care and field operations, depending on team needs.

The RVT reports directly to the Senior Manager, Veterinary Care Staff and has no direct reports. This is an on-site position with a regular schedule of four 10-hour shifts per week, including at least one weekend day. Flexible hours, long days, weekends, and regular travel with little advance notice for National Field & Disaster Response—up to 15% of work time—are required.

The position’s target hiring range is $28.35–$30.75 per hour. The ASPCA offers health coverage, flexible time off, financial incentives and retirement savings, and professional development opportunities.

Requirements

• Hold an Ohio Registered Veterinary Technician license or obtain one within 90 days of hiring.
• Have a degree in Registered Veterinary Technology or equivalent from an AVMA CVTEA-accredited program or a CVMA-accredited veterinary technology program.
• Pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).
• Have at least one year of clinical experience as a veterinary technician working primarily or exclusively with dogs and cats.
• Have experience handling fearful and aggressive animals.
• Be Fear Free® and Fear Free Shelters certified, or complete the certifications within 60 days of employment.
• Have basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office and email.
• Demonstrate knowledge of veterinary medical concepts, protocols, and procedures and strong technical nursing skills.
• Demonstrate excellent low-stress and defensive animal handling and restraint skills, with the ability to adapt techniques to individual animals.
• Possess critical-thinking, multitasking, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and meticulous record-keeping abilities.
• Be able to adjust priorities, work assignments, and focus calmly and efficiently under challenging conditions; recognize when to seek guidance about uncertain situations or protocols.
• Be able to work independently and on a team, and to lead as well as follow instructions.
• Be able to handle confidential and sensitive information with care and discretion and remain professional in stressful, time-sensitive, and urgent situations.
• Be able to cope with animals experiencing serious medical or behavioral problems and with participating in humane euthanasia, sometimes for multiple animals.
• Be able to lift up to 50 pounds, carry up to 25 pounds, stand for long periods and for eight or more hours, and bend, crouch, kneel, and move freely while performing job duties.
• Be able to work outside in varied conditions and occasionally in physically challenging conditions; wear protective gear, including a protective mask; and work around chemical and biological hazards, sharp objects, noise, and uneven, wet, or slippery surfaces.
• Provide a valid driver’s license upon hire and pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history.
• Exemplify the ASPCA’s core values and behavioral competencies.
• Work four 10-hour shifts per week, including at least one weekend day, and be willing and able to work flexible hours, long days, and weekends.
• Be willing and able to travel regularly, sometimes with little advance notice, for National Field & Disaster Response, up to 15% of work time.
• Obtain relevant continuing education as required by the ASPCA and the state licensing board.

Nice To Haves

• Licensure as a veterinary technician in additional states.
• Familiarity with shelter medicine principles and best practices.
• Experience with animal cruelty investigations and evidentiary issues.
• Prior experience working in an animal shelter.
• Previous experience with legal cases and disaster response.
• Clinical experience with poultry, horses, or other species.
• Familiarity with Salesforce or other shelter software systems.
• Knowledge of and experience working within the Incident Command System (ICS) structure; completion of ICS 100, ICS 200, IS0010.a, IS0011.a, and IS0700.b training courses within three months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate patient care using low-stress handling techniques.
• Perform technical nursing tasks, including venipuncture, catheter placement, intubation, diagnostic testing, and obtaining radiographs.
• Perform basic examinations and triage; prepare samples for outside laboratories and follow up as needed.
• Assist with and perform CPCR; administer oral, topical, and injectable medications; and monitor inhalation anesthesia.
• Prioritize responsibilities according to shelter and patient needs, participate in medical and population rounds, and review treatment schedules, medical concern boards, and rechecks.
• Monitor animals for signs of illness, injury, or poor medical welfare and document and communicate observations to the medical team.
• Assist with humane euthanasia when indicated by disposition decisions or urgent medical needs.
• Keep medical areas clean and organized; clean and disinfect kennels, equipment, and facilities using appropriate PPE.
• Perform, or be willing to train to perform, dental cleanings and dental radiographs.
• Transport patients off-site for appointments and assist with basic animal care, including feeding and medication as directed by a veterinarian.
• Support evidence collection and documentation for examinations of live and deceased animal cruelty victims, including clinical forensic exams and gross necropsies.
• Monitor patients post-operatively for safety, comfort, and possible post-operative or anesthesia-related complications.
• Advise a supervisor of unsafe conditions, hazards, or safety-rule infractions.
• Collaborate with behavior and sheltering colleagues to provide holistic care and support a cohesive team culture.
• Maintain accurate and timely medical records, including transferring information from outside veterinary partners and laboratories; participate in record audits and monitoring.
• Follow chain-of-custody, evidence-transfer, and disposition procedures for forensic evidence.
• Handle, administer, and log controlled substances under veterinarian direction and in accordance with laws and protocols.
• Track and stock supplies, identify inventory and ordering needs, assist with medical scheduling, and maintain deployment equipment and supplies, including packing and shipping.
• Use PPE appropriately and help ensure its appropriate use by shelter teams.
• Communicate animal-status updates and relevant information with behavior staff and other stakeholders, using objective language and established systems.
• Explain animal condition information compassionately and clearly to staff and responders.
• Follow CRC philosophy, procedures, protocols, SOPs, and OSHA requirements; maintain high standards of care and performance and contribute to continual improvement.
• Obtain continuing education required by the ASPCA and state licensing board; attend and actively participate in staff meetings and training.
• Treat animals and staff with care and respect; work independently and as part of a team, exercise critical thinking, and remain calm and efficient under challenging conditions.
• Represent the ASPCA professionally, provide input and feedback when requested or when concerns arise, and remain willing to learn, implement, and teach new protocols.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Benefits

• Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer-paid dental, and optional vision coverage.
• Flexible time off, including vacation, sick and bereavement time, paid parental leave, 10 company-paid holidays, and paid personal time off.
• 401(k) plan with employer matching dollar for dollar up to 4%, plus an additional 4% employer contribution each year.
• Professional development opportunities, including classes, on-the-job training, coaching and mentorship, internal mobility, and opportunities to support field work.

What This Job Offers

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