- POSITION SUMMARY-This is 3-4 shifts every other week-Friday , Saturday, Sunday or Saturday, Sunday , Monday
The Registered Veterinary Technician is both a primary patient-care advocate and a front-line representative of Barrie Animal Hospital. The RVT assists veterinarians in delivering medical care, performs diagnostic and nursing procedures within their authorized scope, conducts technician-led appointments, and educates clients. The role spans the technical functions of laboratory, imaging, surgery and dentistry, and nursing care, and in urgent care extends to triage, stabilization, and higher- acuity case support. It requires a person who is highly personable and perceptive, able to educate and reassure people, well organized, able to solve problems quickly and accurately, and an effective team member—someone who understands the hospital's mission, standards of care, and protocols well enough to speak about them with confidence, and who helps sustain the bond between the practice and each patient. As a condition of the role, the RVT must hold and maintain registration in good standing with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
CLIENT SERVICE & EXAM-ROOM TECHNICIAN
Prepare and review the medical record (problem list, history, presenting complaint) before bringing the client into the room; ensure the room is clean and stocked.
Greet clients warmly and professionally; obtain and record TPR, history, weight (with weight- history review/graphing), and new-patient photographs.
Restrain patients within scope using Fear Free, low-stress, humane handling; never allow the client to restrain.
Recommend and educate on diagnostics, procedures, and services in the pet's best interest (parasite prevention, nutrition, vaccination, deworming, dentistry).
Collect blood samples and perform nail trims, anal glands, ear cleaning/plucking, and similar treatments as directed.
Prepare, administer, and explain medications as ordered, including SQ fluids and insulin; provide estimates and supporting documentation.
Admit and discharge patients; review discharge instructions, home-care demonstrations, and educational materials; confirm charges and records are complete before returning the client to reception.
Conduct technician appointments: suture removals, nail trims, anal glands, ear cleaning/plucking, medical and surgical rechecks, obesity and behaviour/Fear Free programs, puppy/kitten consults, and new client/patient visits.
Assist with euthanasia per the euthanasia protocol.
SURGICAL & DENTAL CARE
Maintain organization and cleanliness of treatment and surgery areas; prioritize surgical and outpatient procedures to keep doctors on schedule.
Review each patient's history; calculate medication and fluid requirements; perform surgical prep per doctor's instructions and clinic protocol.
Administer pre-anesthetics and induce anesthesia per protocol and doctor specifications; monitor anesthesia (heart rate, respiration, blood pressure), reporting to the doctor.
Assist with surgical and dental procedures as required; recover patients safely; administer and guide pain management.
Perform authorized minor procedures (minor wound preparation, nerve-block placement, bandaging and splint placement) under direction.
Clean, wrap, and sterilize instruments and kits; maintain and service anesthetic machines and monitoring equipment; check the oxygen supply daily.
Maintain the controlled-drug log and surgery/anesthesia log in the PIMS; report any discrepancy to the doctor and Practice Manager immediately.
Ensure owners are contacted, discharge appointments booked, and charges/records entered per protocol.
NURSING & URGENT CARE
Medicate patients (oral, injectable, transdermal) with proper handling technique; place IV catheters and program IV pumps per instruction.
Assign and update medical cases on the treatment board; monitor, record, and report all hospitalized-patient observations to the attending doctor.
Set up and safely operate medical equipment; apply medical terminology, dosing, and drug knowledge accurately.
In urgent care, perform triage of walk-in and emergency presentations, prioritize by acuity, and initiate stabilization and support (e.g. oxygen, IV access, sample collection) within scope and under veterinary direction.
Support higher-acuity and after-hours caseloads: anticipate doctor needs, manage multiple concurrent patients, and maintain clear, professional communication under time pressure.
Fill prescriptions per instruction, document in the record, and coordinate with pharmacies as needed.
Instruct team members on safe restraint to protect patients, staff, and doctors.
LABORATORY
Obtain blood, urine, and other samples with attention to patient safety and welfare.
Run in-house analyzers; prepare and analyze urinalysis, fecal, cytology, smears, stains, and
combo tests accurately and promptly; document results and notify doctors and clients.
Prepare requisitions and process reference-lab bloodwork for daily pickup; ensure lab procedures are invoiced correctly and results recorded.
Stock supplies; label and spin tubes; maintain reagents and diagnostic equipment (including scheduled maintenance) and confirm equipment is shut down appropriately.
IMAGING & DAILY OPERATIONS
Follow radiation-safety guidelines and wear dosimetry and PPE; position patients correctly and operate digital radiography per guidelines; transfer, document, and provide images to doctors; maintain the radiology log, files, and equipment servicing.
Navigate the PIMS to enter charges, generate lab requisitions, enter/print prescriptions, schedule appointments, and record in the medical record; use telemedicine and image-sharing tools per protocol.
Support opening/closing routines: system start-up/shutdown and data backup, ensuring the facility and grounds are clean, tidy, and odour-free, confirming all patients are tended to, and securing the facility and emergency/phone coverage per protocol.
Share in facility stewardship—front-desk and reception coverage, appointment-book management, financial transactions, restocking of educational materials, inventory receiving, minor equipment maintenance, and general cleanliness—using daily and weekly checklists. (These duties are shared across the on-site team rather than belonging solely to this role.)
Document all treatments, communications, findings, diagnostic results, and charges in the medical record at the time of service, consistent with CVO record-keeping standards; ensure a second person verifies charges before billing.
COMPETENCIES
Current CVO registration in good standing; working knowledge of authorized/delegated acts and record-keeping standards.
Excellent interpersonal and client-service skills, including tact and composure with distressed or demanding clients, and a professional telephone manner.
Strong verbal and written communication; sound command of spelling, grammar, and composition.
Skilled animal restraint and handling; active listening, critical thinking, problem-solving, time- management, and organizational skills; ability to multitask and prioritize while maintaining accuracy—especially under urgent-care pressure.
Computer and practice-management software proficiency (AVImark); accurate cash and electronic-transaction handling.
Ability to work safely with cleaning, disinfecting, laboratory, and anesthetic agents and radiation sources, following established safety, radiation, and waste-handling practices.
Commitment to continuing education and to genuine comfort with and affection for animals.
PHYSICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS
This role is performed in a clinical and urgent-care environment and involves prolonged standing and movement, lifting and safely handling patients and supplies (with assistance for heavier loads, which may exceed 45 kg), and exposure to animals, cleaning and anesthetic agents, radiation, and the inherent risk of bites and scratches. Follow radiology and WHMIS/OHSA guidelines and wear radiation monitors where required. Urgent-care shifts can be fast-paced and emotionally demanding; maintain composure, use communication skills to de-escalate before problems arise, and seek support from a veterinarian, the Office Manager, or administration when needed. Before touching or handling any patient, seek guidance from the owner, a veterinarian, or a senior team member, and when in doubt, do not touch the animal.
Pay: $25.00-$35.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Flexible schedule
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
