Veterinary Oncology Nurse

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Veterinary Oncology Nurse

Job Profile Title

Veterinary Technician B

Job Description Summary

The University of Pennsylvania’s Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital is seeking a skilled, compassionate, and highly motivated Veterinary Oncology Nurse to join its outpatient Medical Oncology Service. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the delivery of advanced specialty care within a dynamic academic teaching hospital renowned for excellence in patient care, education, and clinical innovation.

The Veterinary Oncology Nurse plays an integral role in supporting patients throughout their cancer care journey by providing advanced nursing care, assisting with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and administering chemotherapy treatments. Serving as a key liaison among clinicians, clients, and the broader hospital team, this individual helps ensure seamless patient care, efficient clinical operations, and exceptional client communication. The position also contributes to the education and mentorship of veterinary students, interns, and residents, fostering the next generation of veterinary professionals.

Job Description

Patient Care & Clinical Support

• Provide advanced nursing care for medical oncology patients in a fast-paced, high-volume outpatient setting.
• Extensive client communication including patient morning admission and afternoon discharge.
• Perform technical procedures including venipuncture, IV catheter placement, ECG placement, blood pressure measurement, and collection of blood, urine, and cytology samples.
• Safe handling and administration of chemotherapy drugs using a closed system transfer device and USP 800 standards.
• Assist clinicians with advanced diagnostics and procedures such as ultrasound preparation, fine needle aspirates, and biopsies.
• Prepare, administer, and monitor sedation protocols for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
• Continuously monitor patients during sedation procedures and recovery, responding appropriately to changes in patient conditions

Clinic Operations & Workflow

• Support daily clinic operations by coordinating patient transport, room readiness, and patient flow.
• Maintain accurate and detailed documentation in the hospital’s electronic medical record system.
• Organization and filing of patient medical records within the oncology ward, preparing files for the next appointment day.
• Submitting electronic patient requests to radiology and anesthesia. 
• Ensure proper handling, labeling, and submission of laboratory samples.
• Adhere to hospital safety standards and infection control protocols.

Teaching & Team Collaboration

• Support the hospital’s academic mission by assisting in the clinical instruction of veterinary students, interns, and residents.
• Model best practices in fear-free patient handling, technical skill execution, and client communication.
• Collaborate with nursing leadership and specialty teams to improve clinical standards, workflow efficiency, and patient outcomes.
• Participate in service meetings, training initiatives, and professional development activities.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of two years of experience providing nursing care to hospitalized small animal patients in a specialty and/or emergency veterinary setting.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage clients, clinicians, and team members.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-acuity clinical environment while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and patient care standards.
• Current credentialing as a Certified, Registered, or Licensed Veterinary Technician/Nurse (CVT, RVT, or LVT) is required.

Preferred

• Prior experience in oncology, internal medicine, specialty practice, or an academic veterinary medical center is highly valued.
• Proficiency with electronic medical record systems and demonstrated ability to coordinate care for complex, multidisciplinary cases.
• Commitment to professional growth and enthusiasm for fostering a culture of mentorship, education, and clinical excellence.

This position may be filled at one of the following levels based on credentials and experience:

• Veterinary Technician B: CVT with 1-3 years of experience
• Veterinary Technician C: CVT with 3–5 years of experience
• Veterinary Technician D: CVT with 5–8 years of experience

Hours:

This is a Monday to Friday position consisting of an 8-hour day shift – hours and start time can be flexible.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Veterinary Medicine

Pay Range

$19.81 - $35.00 Hourly Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay