Career Opportunities

Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital is currently a 5 doctor practice, with 3 full-time DVM's and 2 part-time DVM's. 3 of our doctors see exotic pets, ranging from small pocket pets to birds and large lizards. So, if you are interested in expanding your knowledge outside of our regular companion animals, our hospital may be a great fit for you!

We are a high volume General Practice, and we see everything here ranging from general wellness exams, to urgent/emergent visits depending on our availability. We all work as a team at this practice and put patient care and employee well-being at the top of our priority list. 

We are also lucky enough to be located right down the street from the beach, and many great restaurants and shops! 

Position Overview:

As a Registered Veterinary Technician at Santa Cruz GP, you are expected to work in a professional and efficient manner. We are constantly learning new things and growing our medical knowledge, so it is expected that all staff have an open mind and be willing to try new things! We also work as a team here, and staff is expected to understand that while we all may be different outside of work, we are all here to help our furry (or scaly) family members, so we must work together to ensure they receive the best care possible. 

Essential Position Functions:

• Determine animal requirements by conducting examinations and interviews, reviewing care plans and records, completing laboratory tests and studies, and diagnostic imaging.
• Care for patients by taking vital signs, collecting samples, administering medications, drugs, and vaccines, and bandaging and wrapping wounds.
• Support patient examinations and operations by assembling required supplies and instruments, securing and bringing patients to examination rooms, and restraining patients; aids as directed by the veterinarian.
• Provide excellent pet care by applying full knowledge of anatomy, physiology, disease processes, pharmacology, specialized equipment usage, and specialized drug administration.
• Obtain and verify medications.
• Ensure that patients have food and water, clean patients' rooms, cages, and equipment; observe patients for clinical signs of disease.
• As directed, fill prescriptions and administer medications, including proper documentation, logging, and security of controlled drugs.
• Maintain a safe, secure, healthy, and humane environment by sterilizing and wrapping instruments, sanitizing and disinfecting holding and operating areas, storing sterile supplies, verifying shelf life, following standards and procedures, and in compliance with applicable legal regulations.
• Maintain medical records by documenting patients’ conditions, reactions, and changes; update the database in an accurate and timely manner.
• Communicate with the pet owner about the status of the patient, as directed by the veterinarian.
• Maintain equipment by following operating instructions, troubleshooting breakdowns, maintaining equipment supplies, performing preventive maintenance, and calling for repairs.
• Maintain inventory, place orders for needed supplies, verify, and maintain receipts.
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities and reading professional journals.
• Release pets to their owners as directed; ensure that every animal released is clean and properly groomed before their release.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Manager or practice.

Additional Position Functions:

Assignment to the specialty medical areas listed below may require the following additional job functions:

Dentistry

• Perform dental cleanings, polishing, and intraoral radiographs.
• Perform nerve blocks.
• Assist with dental procedures and oral surgery.

Imaging

• Assist veterinarians with a variety of diagnostic imaging modalities, including digital radiography, ultrasound, etc.

Surgery

• Provide extensive surgical assistance by preparing pets, scrubbing, shaving, acting as a surgical nurse, and operating specific surgical equipment and supplies.

Competencies:

• Care and Compassion: Displays a desire to build rapport, provide personal assistance, and emotional support.
• Team Orientation: Works cooperatively with the team to address tasks and accomplish goals.
• Dependability: Demonstrates responsibility in completing tasks and accomplishing goals.
• Initiative: Proactively looks for the opportunity to address and follow through on work activities.
• Flexibility and Multi-Tasking: Adapts quickly to changing demands and manages multiple priorities effectively.
• Communication: Uses effective and appropriate methods of interacting with others.
• Customer Services: Displays a desire to provide outstanding service and exceed customer expectations.
• Organization and Attention to Detail: Monitors and reviews information thoroughly and maintains an organized system for all documents.
• Adherence to Rules and Instructions: Consistently follows standard procedures.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Two or more years of experience with veterinary appointments, surgeries, and nursing care for hospitalized and critical patients.
• Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), or the Licensed Veterinary Medical Technician (LVMT) required by State.
• May consider an equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience.

Position Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

• Knowledge of the preparation, monitoring, and recovery of pets receiving surgery, as well as basic pet nursing.
• Ability to demonstrate and follow correct procedures in catheter placement, phlebotomy, emergency medicine, and digital radiology.
• Understand and limit the potential exposure to bites, scratches, and potential injuries.
• Able to restrain patients according to standard procedures.
• Fill prescriptions and monitor sedation procedures as directed by the veterinarian.
• Ability to work with or around sick animals, potentially hazardous materials, cleaning chemicals, gas anesthetics, zoonotic diseases, and unpleasant odors.
• Display confidence and reassurance when dealing with pets experiencing severe stress, illness, or pain.
• Communicate and approach job duties in a professional and mature manner.
• Must be flexible with scheduling and able to work some weekends and holidays.
• This is a strenuous job that requires a lot of lifting, cleaning, and constant motion.
• Depending on the functional area of assignment, tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and/or extended periods of time standing and/or walking.
• May include some climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
• Some tasks involve the periodic performance of moderately physically demanding work, usually involving lifting or carrying moderately heavy animals (up to 50 pounds).
• Answer phones and perform other duties as needed by the hospital.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by Manager or practice.

Additional Information:

The list of essential functions and additional functions, as outlined in this job description, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this position. The omission of any job function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a required assignment for the position.