Veterinary Technician (Full Time)

CommonSpirit Health•Austin, TX

1d•$18 - $24•Hybrid

About The Position

Seeking Experienced Veterinary Technician (ER, ICU & Surgery) with a Sign-On Bonus + Competitive Pay Incentives Available. Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) is one of the nation's most innovative and respected animal welfare organizations, saving more than 10,000 dogs and cats every year while leading the national No Kill movement. Unlike traditional veterinary practices, our technicians work alongside experienced veterinarians managing emergency cases, infectious disease, critical care, surgery, neonatal medicine, rehabilitation, and complex shelter medicine cases that many organizations simply cannot treat. If you're an experienced veterinary technician looking for challenging medicine, continuous learning, and the opportunity to make an extraordinary impact every single day, we'd love to meet you. Whether your background is emergency medicine, general practice, specialty medicine, surgery, ICU, or shelter medicine, you'll have the opportunity to expand your clinical skills while directly saving the lives of vulnerable animals across Texas. Qualified candidates may be eligible for sign-on bonuses and additional pay incentives based on experience, certifications, and demonstrated technical competencies. ABOUT AUSTIN PETS ALIVE! Austin Pets Alive! is a nationally recognized leader in innovative shelter medicine and lifesaving programs. Our medical teams provide advanced treatment for homeless, neglected, injured, and critically ill companion animals while helping Austin maintain one of the highest live-release rates in the country. Through our groundbreaking medical programs, emergency response initiatives, neonatal kitten nursery, parvovirus treatment program, ringworm treatment center, intensive care services, and high-volume surgery program, APA! continues to redefine what is possible in animal welfare. Every day presents new medical challenges, unique patient cases, and opportunities to save animals that many organizations would be unable to treat. POSITION SUMMARY The Experienced Veterinary Technician serves as an integral member of APA!'s Medical Clinic, delivering advanced nursing care, emergency treatment, diagnostics, anesthesia support, and surgical assistance for dogs and cats requiring routine, urgent, and lifesaving medical care. This role requires a confident technician capable of working independently while collaborating closely with veterinarians, fellow technicians, volunteers, and medical leadership. Successful candidates possess strong technical skills, exceptional critical thinking abilities, and the confidence to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume medical environment where no two days are alike. This position reports directly to the Medical Clinic Manager or designated medical leadership.

Requirements

Minimum of 5+ years of progressively responsible experience as a Veterinary Technician, including significant experience in high-volume shelter medicine, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN), emergency/critical care, surgery, or specialty practice.
Demonstrated expertise in advanced anesthesia, surgical nursing, and perioperative patient care, including pre-operative assessments, anesthetic induction and maintenance, advanced monitoring, pain management, surgical preparation, sterile technique, recovery, and recognition and intervention of anesthetic emergencies.
Expert proficiency in advanced veterinary technical skills, including venipuncture, IV catheter placement (cephalic, jugular, and saphenous), blood collection, cystocentesis assistance, urinary catheter placement, diagnostic sample collection, radiology positioning, dental procedures, wound management, bandaging, splinting, emergency triage, fluid therapy, and critical patient nursing.
Extensive knowledge of shelter medicine principles, including infectious disease prevention and management, population medicine, biosecurity, isolation protocols, outbreak response, neonatal and pediatric patient care, vaccination protocols, euthanasia procedures, and Fear Free® or low-stress handling techniques.
Demonstrated experience assisting veterinarians with complex surgical procedures, including orthopedic, soft tissue, emergency, and specialty surgeries, with the ability to anticipate surgeon needs and independently manage surgical workflow.
Advanced knowledge of veterinary pharmacology, controlled substances, anesthetic agents, emergency medications, fluid therapy, and precise drug calculations. Ability to independently prepare medications, verify dosages, compound medications when appropriate, and ensure regulatory compliance.
Advanced understanding of canine and feline diseases, trauma, emergency stabilization, diagnostic testing, laboratory procedures, medical record documentation, treatment planning, and nursing care.
Proven ability to independently assess patient condition, recognize medical emergencies, prioritize caseloads, exercise sound clinical judgment, and make appropriate recommendations in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with minimal supervision.
Demonstrated leadership experience mentoring, training, and developing veterinary technicians, assistants, externs, interns, and volunteers while promoting clinical excellence, accountability, teamwork, and a culture of continuous learning.
Experience leading or supporting hospital workflow, surgery scheduling, inventory management, controlled substance compliance, OSHA standards, DEA regulations, medical quality assurance, and standard operating procedure development strongly preferred.
Exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across veterinarians, medical leadership, operations, behavior, foster, and animal care teams.
Current valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record for occasional animal transport or operational needs.
Must be able to routinely lift 40-50 pounds.
Must be able to work around animals (including diseased, injured, and/or potentially aggressive animals), loud noises, unpleasant smells, chlorine or other chemicals, indoors, and outdoors in all weather.
Must be able to comfortably interact with cats/dogs of various health levels, including those who may carry zoonotic diseases such as ringworm, scabies, intestinal parasites, etc.
Must be able to work in a medical clinic environment and be witness to a variety of animal medical conditions and procedures.
Able to be on your feet for multiple hours of the day.
Must be able to visually observe people and animals from up to 150 feet away.
Ability to hear normal speech at close contact and shouting up to 150 feet away with the ability to hear and discern dog vocalizations both soft and loud.
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Must be able to pass all required dog handling training required for this position.
Must be able to focus in a loud and busy environment despite distractions.
Must be able to walk around shelter as needed - uneven ground, keeping a safe distance from dogs and handlers.

Nice To Haves

Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT, CVT, or RVT) preferred or equivalent combination of advanced experience and demonstrated technical competency.

Responsibilities

Provide exceptional nursing care for hospitalized, surgical, emergency, and wellness patients throughout all stages of treatment.
Perform comprehensive patient assessments while recognizing subtle changes in patient condition and escalating concerns appropriately.
Provide compassionate care while maintaining the highest standards of patient safety and medical excellence.
Independently triage medical emergencies and prioritize patient care.
Assist veterinarians during emergency procedures and stabilization efforts.
Monitor critically ill patients and accurately communicate changes in condition.
Provide advanced nursing care for ICU and hospitalized patients.
Maintain detailed medical documentation throughout patient treatment.
Assist with emergency response during mass intake or disaster situations.
Confidently perform: Venipuncture, IV catheter placement, Blood collection, Laboratory sample preparation, Medication calculations, Drug administration (IV, IM, SQ, oral), Fluid therapy, Catheter maintenance, Diagnostic imaging assistance, Radiology positioning, Microscopy, Cytology preparation, PCV/TS, Blood glucose monitoring, In-house diagnostic testing.
Accurately calculate medication dosages using patient weight and established medical protocols.
Maintain precise electronic medical records throughout every patient encounter.
Assist veterinarians during high-volume and specialty surgical procedures.
Monitor anesthesia throughout surgical procedures while recognizing and responding to changes in patient status.
Prepare surgical suites and equipment.
Maintain sterile surgical technique.
Recover surgical patients safely while monitoring pain management and anesthetic recovery.
Administer post-operative medications and treatments.
Assist with surgical inventory, instrument sterilization, and controlled substance accountability.
Provide medical care for animals experiencing: Trauma, Infectious disease, Parvovirus, Ringworm, Respiratory disease, Neonatal illness, Orthopedic injuries, Chronic medical conditions, Critical illness, Behavioral medical concerns.
Participate in innovative treatment protocols unique to shelter medicine.
Work collaboratively across departments to provide comprehensive patient care.
Serve as a clinical resource for veterinary assistants, newer technicians, and volunteers.
Assist with onboarding and mentoring newly hired technicians.
Model excellent patient care, professionalism, teamwork, and communication.
Support continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to maintaining a positive, collaborative culture.
Confidently explain treatment plans, medications, diagnostics, discharge instructions, and follow-up care to adopters, fosters, volunteers, and members of the public.
Maintain professionalism and compassion during emotionally challenging situations.
Partner with veterinarians to ensure clear communication and excellent customer service.
Create an inclusive and welcoming environment for volunteers.
Provide hands-on guidance to volunteers when appropriate.
Help volunteers contribute safely to patient care.
Support volunteer learning and engagement.
Recognize volunteer contributions to our lifesaving mission.
Partner closely with Veterinarians, Medical Directors, Clinic Managers, Surgery Team, Shelter Operations, Animal Care Teams, Foster Team, Adoption Team, Behavior Team, and Volunteers to ensure exceptional patient outcomes and coordinated care.