Veterinary Technician - Surgery and Anesthesia

Build the Next Chapter of Surgery at CASE Carolina Animal Specialty and Emergency (CASE) | Hickory, NC Full-Time | November 2026 Training Start | New Surgical Service Expansion January 2027 CASE is growing our Surgery and Anesthesia service with a new surgeon joining the team in January 2027. We’re looking for an experienced Veterinary Technician or Veterinary Assistant to join the team in November and receive hands-on training ahead of this exciting expansion. If you thrive in a specialty and emergency hospital, enjoy advanced anesthesia, and want to work alongside experienced surgeons and emergency clinicians, this is an opportunity to take your skills to the next level. Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) preferred. Experienced Veterinary Assistants with strong surgery or anesthesia experience are encouraged to apply. What You’ll Do Surgery & Anesthesia Prepare patients for surgery, anesthesia, and advanced procedures Calculate and administer anesthetic and perioperative medications Perform anesthesia induction, monitoring, and recovery Monitor ECG, blood pressure, SpO₂, ETCO₂, temperature, and ventilation Recognize anesthetic changes and communicate concerns quickly Assist with soft tissue and orthopedic surgery Maintain sterile technique and efficient surgical workflow Prepare instruments, surgical packs, and equipment Provide post-operative nursing care and pain-management support Emergency & Critical Care Support emergency surgical cases and urgent procedures Care for hospitalized and ICU surgical patients Recognize changes in patient condition and respond appropriately Participate in CPR and emergency response Collaborate with Emergency and Critical Care teams during complex cases Technical Nursing IV catheter placement and venipuncture Medication administration Laboratory diagnostics and radiology support Patient assessment, monitoring, and nursing care Accurate medical records and treatment documentation What We’re Looking For Previous experience in veterinary surgery, anesthesia, emergency medicine, specialty medicine, or high-volume surgery Strong understanding of anesthesia monitoring, perioperative nursing, and patient safety Ability to remain calm, organized, and focused during complex or emergency cases Strong clinical judgment, communication, teamwork, and attention to detail Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced specialty hospital RVT/LVT/CVT preferred Emergency, specialty, orthopedic, soft tissue surgery, or advanced anesthesia experience preferred RECOVER CPR certification preferred or willingness to obtain Experienced Veterinary Assistants with strong surgery, anesthesia, emergency, critical care, or high-volume spay/neuter experience 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 Grow Your Surgery and Anesthesia Career Continuing education allowance + paid CE time Paid training and specialty skill development Tuition reimbursement opportunities Specialty technician growth and leadership development Licensure renewal support Student loan assistance opportunities Career advancement within the Innovetive Petcare network Mentorship from experienced surgeons, anesthetists, and specialty clinicians Eligible recently credentialed RVTs may also qualify for HeadStart Student Loan Support, including student loan assistance and professional development resources. Full-Time Benefits Competitive compensation Medical, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) with company match Paid time off and holidays Life insurance Employee assistance and mental health resources Employee pet care discounts Professional membership and licensure support Why Hickory? Build your career with a growing Emergency and Specialty veterinary hospital in Hickory, NC, with easy access to Charlotte, Asheville, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Ready to Advance Your Surgery & Anesthesia Career? If you’re an experienced Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) or Veterinary Assistant looking for an opportunity to practice advanced medicine, we want to meet you. Join CASE in November, train alongside our team, and help us build the next chapter of Surgery and Anesthesia in January 2027. About Carolina Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital Carolina Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital is a multi-specialty practice with specialists in internal medicine, surgery, behavior, rehabilitation and 24-hour emergency and critical care housed in a beautiful newly built 12,000-square-foot hospital in Hickory, NC. We have a spacious hospital with a fully staffed ICU with DVM and highly skilled 24 hr support team to manage a high volume patient case load with 12 exam rooms. In hospital we have comprehensive in house laboratory equipment that includes chemistry, cbc, epoc, blood gas, sedivue, fecal imagyst, telecytometry, ability to have consultation and recommendation from boarded radiologist and clinical pathologist for best in the moment patient care, oxygen therapy (multiple snyder icu cages and high flow).  We have the ability to provide superior specialty care with computed tomography, fluoroscopy, digital radiology, color-flow doppler ultrasound, endoscopy, minimally invasive surgical equipment, and comprehensive surgical instrumentation. We are able to provide radioactive iodine therapy for cats with hyperthyroidism and have a fully equipped rehabilitation suite with k- laser, e-stim, oasis underwater treadmill as well as exercise treadmill for assisting patients with pre and post op recovery. We have a team of highly skilled board-certified specialists, emergency clinicians,  veterinary technicians, and support staff that believe in compassionate care, always being prepared, supportive, excellence and quality in everything we do for our patients and encourage individuals who embrace a fast-paced atmosphere with honesty, positive attitude and transparency. Hear more about working with us from the team at Carolina Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital! Equal Opportunity Employer Policy Carolina Animal Specialty and Emergency is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify.  We are proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, or any other non-merit factor. All qualified applicants, including minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.