ICU Veterinary Nurse; Overnight Shift

Full-time ICU Veterinary Nurse (Overnight Shift)

Full-time ICU Veterinary Nurse (Overnight Shift)

Pet Vet Care Centers' Pacific and Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists are currently seeking an ICU Veterinary Nurse (Overnight Shift) to join their team.

At Pet Vet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people—providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage—for all the moments that matter.

Because life is better with pets.

We deliver the Ultimate Care Experience—every pet, every client, every time. That starts with a Culture of Care that supports our team members as much as the pets and clients we serve.

With more than 420 locally led hospitals and over 11,000 team members nationwide, we offer:

• Local autonomy with national support
• Career mobility and development opportunities
• A collaborative, inclusive environment where your wellbeing comes first

You care for pets. We care for you.

Intensive Care Unit veterinary technicians are under the direct guidance and supervision of the doctor. Incumbents of this position are required to assist the practitioners to the fullest possible extent, to help improve the quality of care given to the patients of Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital, and to aid the practitioners in achieving greater efficiency by relieving them of technical work and administrative detail.

Prepare for shift by rounding with the previous ICU tech to familiarize yourself with all ICU patients so you can properly care for, treat, assess, and monitor all ICU patients.

• Monitor patient chart and complete all upcoming treatments, including but not limited to: preparing medications (oral and injectable), obtaining diagnostic samples, checking on patient well‑being and ensuring proper bedding, water, and food.
• Chart and monitor patient vitals, alert the doctor of major changes, and input progress notes to keep other techs, assistants, and doctors informed.
• Place and care for IVCs, monitoring for complications and maintaining accurate record of IVC time and condition.
• Perform diagnostics such as blood pressure (Doppler and Cardell), bloodwork, I‑stats, coagulation tests, PCV/TS, SNAP tests, Lepto, blood typing, cross‑matching, glucose checks, urine collection, radiographs, and oxygen saturation.
• Calculate medication dosages for CRIs, fluid additives, IV boluses, IV rates, and oral medications.
• Assist the doctor with advanced procedures including NG/NE tubes, long‑term and multi‑lumen catheters, urinary catheters, nasal oxygen prongs/canulas, ECG pads, telemetry, and intubation.
• Run CPR/code under supervision, intubate patients, administer emergency drugs, and chart all information on the CPR/code form.
• Maintain proper ICU flow, ensuring treatments are completed on time and medications, diets, and orders for discharge are ready.
• Prepare emergency and CPR equipment—including anesthesia machine, suction, ET tubes, ER drugs, telemetry, ambu bag/crash cart—and ensure readiness for all shifts.
• Monitor clean‑up, stock, and kennel management, leaving the area ready for the next tech.
• Complete monthly/weekly task lists and personal ICU tasks on schedule.

Veterinary Technicians in this practice will be taught and trained to the limits of their potential. If, during training, an individual shows interest in a specific field such as oncology or anesthesiology, continuing education in that field will be encouraged, with subsidies or formal training provided.

Knowledge:

• RVT or equivalent; minimum 3–5 years of critical care, intensive care, and emergency experience.
• Knowledge of procedures for patient care, monitoring, medical supply ordering, laboratory test requests, and CPR execution.
• Knowledge of veterinary instrument care, storage, and sterilization techniques.
• Knowledge of standardized treatment procedures for DVM assistance.

Skills:

• Telemetry, physical assessment, venipuncture, catheter placement (venous & urinary), cystocentesis (blind & ultrasound‑guided), CPR, critical care and emergency assessment, radiology, anesthesiology, postoperative care/monitoring.
• Laboratory test performance (CBC, Chem, UA, viral tests, PT/PTT, Idexx/Antech labs,…