Registered Veterinary Technician – Surgery

Up to $35.00/hour (DOE) + Up to $2,000 Sign-On Bonus
Full-time opportunity in Santa Barbara, California
Schedule: Full-time | Weekend & holiday flexibility required

Advance your surgical nursing career with the Surgery team at Advanced Veterinary Specialists (AVS). As a Surgery Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), you'll work alongside board-certified veterinary surgeons providing advanced anesthesia, perioperative nursing, surgical assistance, and post-operative care for patients undergoing complex procedures.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Surgery Veterinary Technician, RVT, or Specialty Veterinary Technician who enjoys anesthesia, advanced patient monitoring, surgical nursing, and working in a collaborative specialty and emergency veterinary hospital.

Why Join Advanced Veterinary Specialists

Advanced Veterinary Specialists is home to board-certified specialists in Surgery, Oncology, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Dentistry, alongside a highly skilled Emergency & Critical Care team.

AVS is accredited by the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS) as a Level II Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Facility—one of only two in California to hold this distinction.

You'll gain exposure to advanced surgical cases while working alongside veterinary specialists in an environment focused on clinical excellence, teamwork, continuing education, and professional growth.

In Your Day-to-Day, You Will

• Provide advanced perioperative nursing and compassionate care for surgical and post-operative patients.
• Assist with anesthesia, sedation, patient monitoring, surgical procedures, and post-operative recovery.
• Monitor ventilation, oxygenation, and acid/base status using pulse oximetry, capnography, and arterial blood gas results.
• Perform laboratory procedures and specimen collection, handling, and preparation.
• Provide advanced patient care including CRIs, NG tubes, central lines, glucose curves, oxygen therapy, and post-surgical monitoring.
• Prepare patients, surgical suites, instruments, and equipment while maintaining aseptic technique and proper sterilization.
• Maintain accurate medical records, surgical inventory, and a clean, organized Surgery department.
• Communicate effectively with surgeons, referring veterinarians, clients, and the multidisciplinary veterinary team.

What You Bring

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of two years of veterinary surgical experience strongly preferred.
• Current California Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) license or equivalent preferred.
• Strong veterinary anesthesia, surgical nursing, patient monitoring, and technical skills.
• Ability to accurately calculate medication dosages, continuous rate infusions (CRIs), and client estimates.
• Strong communication, critical thinking, organization, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced specialty and emergency veterinary environment.
• California Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substance Permit (VACSP) required within 60 days of hire if not waived by a valid California RVT license.

Perks & Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), 401(k), and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Three weeks of accrued paid time off and uniforms
• Annual Veterinary Assistant and RVT Continuing Education (CE) allowance
• VetBloom access with RACE-approved continuing education, training, and curriculum
• RVT license application and renewal reimbursement
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities

Location Highlight

Build your specialty veterinary career in beautiful Santa Barbara, with access to