Veterinary Technician - Burrard Animal Hospital + Emergency

Employer: Burrard Animal Hospital + Emergency, legal entity: 0980040 B.C. Ltd.

Position: Veterinary Technician

Terms of Employment: Full-time / Permanent

Location: Vancouver, British Columbia

Employment Address: #105-1788 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V6J 1Y1

Hours of Work: 40 hours/week

Language: English

Existing Vacancy: This posting reflects an ongoing opportunity for future openings.

Benefits: Eligible for discretionary salary increases in accordance with company policy. Eligible for Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance and RRSP Matching.

Salary: $ 36.60 CAD / hour

Contact: Please send resumes to sheila.morley@vetstrategy.com and include “Veterinary Technician” in the email subject line.

Position Overview: The Veterinary Technician in an emergency setting is a key clinical team member, ensuring critically ill and injured patients receive timely, skilled, and compassionate care. Veterinary Technicians are relied upon for their advanced technical ability, quick thinking, and calm presence during high-pressure situations. Your role supports veterinarians in managing emergency cases, stabilizing patients, performing diagnostics, and executing urgent treatments. This role also includes client education, patient advocacy, and maintaining hospital readiness. Reports directly to the RVT/VA Lead, RVT Assistant Lead, Medical Director, Practice Manager, and Assistant Practice Manager.

Duties

• Emergency & Critical Patient Care:
• Performing triage assessments upon patient arrival and communicating urgency to the team
• Providing advanced restraint and handling of critical patients
• Placing and maintaining IV catheters, administering medications, and calculating fluid/medication doses accurately, including CRIs and dilutions
• Initiating emergency stabilization protocols including oxygen therapy, CPR assistance, intubation and crash cart maintenance
• Monitoring patients on continuous vital sign monitoring equipment
• Assisting in emergency surgeries and anesthetic monitoring
• Performing advanced diagnostics: venipuncture, urinalysis, cryptology, blood smears, fecal analysis, etc.
• Monitoring and assessing pain levels, managing ICU patient care plans
• Maintaining accurate logs and medical records in real-time
• Overseeing blood and plasma transfusions
• Outpatient & Procedural Support:
• Assisting DVMs (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) during exams, imaging, and urgent outpatient procedures
• Providing medication demonstrations and confirming discharge instructions to clients
• Preparing samples for external labs
• Running internal lab work and following up on results
• Ensuring patients are properly admitted and confirming with CCR (Customer Care Representatives) the patient is discharged with accurate client communication
• Client Support:
• Communicating empathetically and clearly with clients in high-stress/emergency scenarios
• Providing guidance on aftercare, medication administration, and home monitoring
• Supporting euthanasia procedures with compassion and professionalism
• Reinforcing veterinarian recommendations and treatment plans
• Hospital Readiness & Maintenance:
• Maintaining sterile surgical suite and aseptic treatment areas at all times
• Supporting VAs (Veterinary Assistant) in cleaning and restocking ICU and triage areas between cases
• Supporting VAs in sterilizing and preparing surgical packs, tools, and diagnostic equipment
• Disposing of biohazards properly and maintaining isolation protocols
• Administrative & General:
• Maintaining accurate and timely medical records and logs
• Supporting CCRs (Customer Care Representatives) with technical questions, estimates and client communication
• Supporting VAs in receiving/storing medical inventory and supplies
• Attending all mandatory trainings, CE (Continuing Education) and emergency simulation drills
• Contributing to a culture of respect, teamwork, and patient advocacy
• Upholding confidentiality, ethnical standards, and hospital protocols

Requirements

• At least completion of a 2- or 3-year animal health or veterinary technology (college program is required
• 1-2 years of experience as a Veterinary Technician is required
• Able to remain calm, focused, and efficient in high-stress, life-threatening situations
• Excellent triage and critical care skills
• Strong understanding of emergency protocols, pharmacology, and diagnostic procedures
• Able to rapidly assess patient condition and communicate effectively with the medical team
• Familiarity with ventilators, crash carts, oxygen therapy, and other emergency equipment
• Compassionate communicator with distressed or grieving clients
• Prioritization and multitasking under pressure is essential
• Demonstrates adaptability, attention to detail, and excellent record keeping
• Resilient, team-oriented, and emotionally intelligent
• Be comfortable with running anesthesia and managing sedated patients

Working Conditions

• Frequent exposure to trauma, blood, bodily fluids, infectious disease, and euthanasia
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs, bend, stand for long periods, and perform physical restraint
• Work includes evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays
• Environment is high-paced, emotionally intense and physically demanding

Note: This job description may evolve as hospital protocols and case demands shift. Veterinary Technicians must demonstrate initiative, clinical skill, and teamwork at all times, often under conditions of uncertainty or urgency.

AI Disclosure: We may use artificial intelligence tools to assist with scheduling interviews and managing screening times. We do not use AI to evaluate applicants or make decisions during the interview process. All candidate assessments and hiring decisions are made by our recruitment and leadership teams.