- Salary
- $21 – $26/hr
- Location
- Hickory, North Carolina
- Type
- Full-time
- Department
- IT
- Source
- Pinpoint
Description
Veterinary Technician - Surgery and Anesthesia
Department: Veterinary Technicians
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Hickory, North Carolina
Reporting To: Ashlin White
Compensation: $21.00 - $26.00 / hour
Description
Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) Preferred | Experienced Veterinary Assistants Encouraged to Apply
Carolina Animal Specialty & Emergency (CASE) is growing, and we are seeking an experienced Surgery & Anesthesia Veterinary Technician to join our specialty team.
If you are a confident veterinary professional who thrives in a high-volume Emergency and Specialty Referral Hospital, enjoys advanced anesthesia, loves the operating room, and takes pride in exceptional patient care, we would love to meet you.
This is an opportunity to work alongside experienced surgeons, emergency clinicians, and specialty teams while practicing at the top of your skillset in one of North Carolina’s premier specialty hospitals.
Now Hiring Full-Time Surgery & Anesthesia Veterinary Technician
We are especially interested in:
- Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVT/LVT/CVT) or individuals eligible for credentialing
- Experienced Veterinary Assistants with strong anesthesia or surgical backgrounds
Candidates with experience in:
- Specialty Surgery
- Emergency & Critical Care
- High-Volume Surgery
- High-Volume Spay/Neuter
- Specialty Referral Medicine
- Anesthesia & Analgesia
Why Join CASE?
Carolina Animal Specialty & Emergency (CASE) is a 24/7 Emergency and Specialty Referral Hospital serving Western North Carolina with advanced medical, surgical, and critical care services.
Our specialty services include:
- Emergency & Critical Care
- Internal Medicine
- Soft Tissue Surgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Anesthesia & Analgesia
- Behavioral Medicine
- Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine
- Radioactive Iodine (I-131) Therapy
Our hospital features advanced equipment and technology, including:
- Dedicated Surgical Suites
- Advanced Anesthesia Monitoring
- Mechanical Ventilation
- CT Imaging
- Digital Radiology
- Fluoroscopy
- Endoscopy
- Comprehensive In-House Laboratory
- Dedicated ICU
At CASE, technicians are trusted to utilize their expertise, think critically, and play an active role in advanced surgical and anesthetic care.
What You’ll Do
Surgery & Anesthesia Support
- Prepare patients for anesthesia and surgery
- Calculate anesthetic protocols and administer medications
- Induce, monitor, and recover anesthesia patients
- Monitor ECG, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, ETCO₂, temperature, and ventilation
- Recognize anesthetic changes and communicate concerns quickly
- Assist with soft tissue and orthopedic procedures
- Maintain sterile technique and surgical workflow
- Prepare instruments, surgical packs, and equipment
- Provide post-operative nursing care and pain management support
Emergency & Critical Care Support
- Assist with emergency surgical cases and urgent procedures
- Support ICU and hospitalized surgical patients
- Recognize changes in patient condition and respond appropriately
- Participate in CPR and emergency response situations
- Collaborate with Emergency clinicians during critical cases
Technical Responsibilities
- IV catheter placement
- Venipuncture
- Medication administration (IV, IM, SQ, Oral)
- Advanced anesthesia monitoring
- Laboratory diagnostics
- Radiology support
- Patient assessment and nursing care
- Accurate medical documentation
Team Collaboration
- Partner with surgeons, Emergency clinicians, RVTs, Veterinary Assistants, and Client Service teams
- Support efficient surgical workflow during high-volume periods
- Maintain a collaborative team culture
- Provide compassionate patient care and client support
What We’re Looking For
Required Qualifications
- Previous experience in veterinary surgery, anesthesia, emergency medicine, or high-volume surgical environments
- Strong understanding of anesthesia monitoring, patient safety, and perioperative nursing
- Ability to remain calm and organized during urgent and emergency situations
- Excellent communication, teamwork, and critical-thinking skills
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to patient care
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced specialty hospital
Preferred Qualifications
- Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT/LVT/CVT)
- Emergency and Specialty Hospital experience
- Advanced anesthesia monitoring experience
- Surgical nursing experience
- Orthopedic and soft tissue surgery experience
- RECOVER CPR Certification (or willingness to obtain)
- Experience managing anesthesia for complex surgical procedures
Experienced Veterinary Assistants with a strong foundation in Emergency Medicine, specialty surgery, or high-volume spay/neuter settings are encouraged to apply.
Physical Requirements & Working Conditions
This position requires the ability to work in a fast-paced Emergency and Specialty veterinary hospital. Essential functions include:
- Standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and remaining active for extended periods
- Safely lifting, carrying, and assisting with movement of animals and equipment up to 50 pounds, with assistance when needed
- Safely restraining and positioning canine and feline patients during examinations, diagnostics, anesthesia, surgery, and recovery
- Performing repetitive tasks requiring manual dexterity, including catheter placement, venipuncture, medication administration, anesthesia support, and equipment operation
- Working around blood, bodily fluids, sharps, medical gases, anesthetic agents, infectious materials, animal dander, odors, cleaning agents, and veterinary chemicals
- Wearing required PPE, including surgical attire, gloves, masks, eye protection, and radiation safety equipment
- Responding quickly during emergencies, including CPR and life-saving interventions
- Communicating effectively with doctors, technicians, assistants, clients, leadership, and referring veterinary partners
- Adapting to changing priorities in a high-volume clinical environment
What We Offer
We believe exceptional patient care starts with exceptional people.
Health & Wellness
- Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Calm Health Mental Health Support – Access confidential mental health resources, wellness tools, and support designed to promote emotional well-being.
- Rocket Lawyer Legal Support – Access legal resources and guidance for employees and immediate family members.
Financial Benefits
- Competitive Compensation
- 401(k) with Company Match
- Paid Licensure Renewal
- Employee Pet Care Discounts
- Student Loan Assistance Opportunities
Professional Development
- Continuing Education Allowance
- CE Paid Time Off
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Paid Training
- Leadership Development Programs
- Specialty Technician Growth Opportunities
HeadStart Student Loan Support Program
Recently credentialed Registered Veterinary Technicians who graduated from an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology Program and successfully passed the VTNE within the past three years may be eligible for Innovetive Petcare’s HeadStart Student Loan Support Program, designed to help reduce student loan debt while supporting continued professional growth.
Additional benefits include:
- Paid Time Off
- Holiday Pay
- Flexible Scheduling
- Collaborative Team Culture
- Career Advancement Opportunities
Why Hickory?
Build your career with one of North Carolina’s premier Emergency and Specialty hospitals while enjoying an affordable cost of living and easy access to Charlotte, Asheville, and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Ready to Advance Your Surgery & Anesthesia Career?
If you are an experienced Veterinary Surgery Technician, Anesthesia Technician, Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), Veterinary Technician, or Veterinary Assistant looking to practice advanced medicine alongside an exceptional team, we would love to hear from you.
Bring your passion for surgery, anesthesia, patient safety, and clinical excellence to a hospital that values your technical expertise and empowers you to practice at the top of your skillset.
Apply today and become part of the Surgery & Anesthesia team at Carolina Animal Specialty & Emergency (CASE).
Skills
CPRPatient Care
