Join a team at the intersection of exceptional veterinary care and social change.
 

At the San Francisco SPCA, we believe every pet deserves compassionate, high-quality veterinary care—no matter their guardian’s financial situation. As a nonprofit, we break down barriers to care by offering financial assistance and individualized medical support to thousands of animals each year. Our work doesn’t serve shareholders—it serves pets, people, and the community.

We are seeking a Registered Veterinary Technician to join our Hospital nursing team.   The ideal candidate is confident in hands-on patient care and thrives in a fast-paced hospital environment, with experience supporting veterinarians through blood draws, catheter placement, anesthesia monitoring, patient restraint, and compassionate client and animal interactions. This is an opportunity to use your clinical skills where they truly matter: delivering high-quality care to animals and families regardless of financial means.  

This position isn’t just about treating patients—it’s about caring for animals, supporting people, and strengthening community.

Core Responsibilities:

•  Monitor the health of hospitalized patients and notify a veterinarian if symptoms may warrant attention
• Triage cases according to medical need
• Perform and interpret basic diagnostic tests such as, but not limited to, fecal floatation, skin scrapes, heartworm test, FeLV/FIV tests, etc.
• Administer medications to animals as directed by staff veterinarians; perform medication and fluid calculations as necessary
• Operate an autoclave
• Induce and maintain anesthesia
• Prepare patients for surgery, assist in surgery, and clean and pack surgical instruments
• Perform intramuscular and subcutaneous injections, venipuncture, x-rays, laboratory tests, IV catheter placement and drug and fluid calculations as ordered by the veterinary staff
• Perform dental prophylactic cleaning, radiographs, basic dental procedures, and extractions.
• Maintain and create patient records by accurately recording treatments, examinations and test results on computerized patient charts and other medical records
• Support client callbacks for follow up and laboratory results
• Responsible for the admission and discharge of patients from the Veterinary Hospital in a responsive, courteous and supportive manner to both internal and external clients
• Educate clients on animal care – with clarity and compassion
• Support the Client Experience team in creating a system that enhances continuity in care for the client and patient. 
• Facilitate good working relationships through teamwork and collaboration
• Follow veterinary care protocols for animals in the SF SPCA Veterinary Hospital - including medical, behavior and general care protocols for the health and well-being of the animals, individually and as a herd
• Comply with all laws pertaining to controlled substances

• Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in the state of California
• Experience with humane animal handling and restraint techniques of healthy, ill and feral animals
• Experience in caring for and handling animals in a safe, effective and humane manner, especially larger and possibly untrained pets
• Computer literate and able to master veterinary software as applicable to hospital operations
• Knowledge of basic dog and cat physiology, anatomy and behavior as it relates to understanding the general health of animals
• Ability to accommodate varied work assignments and schedules
• Excellent problem solving and communication skills; ability to provide direction to employees and volunteers

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

Work is performed in a shelter/animal hospital setting Frequent standing, bending, reaching, kneeling, and climbing stairs while seeing patients 

• Regularly moves about the campus to coordinate work
• Exposure to disinfectant solutions throughout working environments.
• Subject to animal bites and scratches while handling animals
• Repeated lifting and carrying of animals weighing up to 50 pounds
• Consistent exposure to animals and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available

Salary & Benefits

The starting salary for this position depends on the depth and breadth of experience. The expected range is $32.00 - 40.00 / hour. Regular, full-time positions are eligible for a benefits package including:

• Paid Time Off and Holiday pay
• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan and contribution matching
• Lifestyle Spending Account
• Student debt relief program
• Pre-tax Commuter Benefits
• Discounts on retail and pet supplies
• Discounts on veterinary care at our SF SPCA Mission Campus Veterinary Hospital and Spay/Neuter Clinic

The SF SPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This job ad reflects the assignment of essential functions and does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. The San Francisco SPCA is an at-will employer and may conduct pre-employment background checks and drug screening depending on the role.