Location Calgary, Alberta, Canada Category Veterinary Technician / Assistant Job Id R-248491 Job Type Full time
Western Veterinary Specialist & Emergency Centre is welcoming a full-time Registered Veterinary Technologist to join our Surgery team working alongside our surgery team. This position provides an opportunity to work with top board certified specialists and the ability to learn about cutting-edge veterinary medicine. We are looking for an enthusiastic, team-oriented, motivated individual that will be inspired to work with a highly varied, exciting and unique caseload. Our experienced technicians are prepared to support you as you train and adapt to specialty practice. You will have the opportunity to be involved in specialist level procedures using state of the art equipment and to develop your skills in veterinary anesthesia.
Schedule: Surgery technicians work four week days per week. Our success lies in our willingness to help each other to achieve great patient outcomes; however, with specialty medicine comes the unpredictability of working in a setting where the day’s schedule can change at a moment’s notice.
Registered veterinary technologist in Alberta
Preference given for a minimum two years of experience as an RVT, ideally in an emergency or referral setting
Experience in providing general anesthesia in dogs and cats (varying ages and breeds) for surgical procedures, minor procedures or endoscopic procedures.
Experience using common monitoring equipment and the strengths and limitations of each type of monitoring (e.g. pulse oximetry, electrocardiography, capnography, blood pressure monitoring).
Experience working with commonly used sedation, induction, inhalant and injectable anesthetic and analgesic medications, including indications and contra-indications of each.
Proficient in calculations (drugs, constant rate infusions, unit conversions, etc.)
Thorough working knowledge of aseptic technique as it relates to patient preparation and preparation of the operating theatre
Exceptional time-management skills, critical thinking and efficiency in a fast-paced environment
Consistently safe and effective patient handling skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Commitment to continuing education in anesthesia and analgesia, preferably with prior examples.
Appreciation of own strengths and limitations, willingness to accept direction and feedback from more experienced RVTs and veterinarians.
Responsibilities
Work in a busy, fast-paced, specialty hospital environment, planning, organizing and managing the daily flow of services.
Collaborate and communicate effectively with veterinary specialists, interns, RVTs and technician assistants to provide the very best in anesthetic care for patients.
Assist surgery technicians with patient handling, patient preparation and recovery.
Participate in a rotating after-hours on call schedule to provide general anesthesia to patients requiring urgent or emergency procedures during nights and weekends.
Prepare the anesthetic equipment and operating theatres for surgery.
Perform pre-anesthetic patient evaluations and determine ASA score for each patient. Assist in obtaining pre-operative diagnostics, e.g. radiographs, bloodwork, CT scan.
Provide analgesia, sedation, general anesthesia and local/regional nerve blocks to patients undergoing surgical, endoscopic, imaging or biopsy procedures.
Monitor patients under sedation or general anesthesia and make adjustments to protocols as necessary to ensure patient comfort and safety.
Under the direction of specialist veterinarians, develop and implement post-operative care and analgesia plans and implement these within the intensive care unit. Supervise anesthetic recovery and transfer case notes to ICU RVTs.
Scrub in to surgical procedures or assist in endoscopic procedures with specialist veterinarians.
Assist in preparing laboratory samples to be shipped for testing to external laboratories.
Maintain meticulous records of anesthetic monitoring, anesthetic and controlled drugs.
Supervise and teach technician assistants and technician practicum students.
What VCA Canada Offers
RRSP Employer Group Match Program! Saving for your future just got easier with VCA Canada
A caring culture of Wellness and Appreciation!
Extensive online anytime-anywhere access to journals and textbooks
Ask us about our mobilization and hands-free radiology!
Paid membership and dues
Paid wellness days, sick days, and vacation time
Employee assistance program
Continuing education benefits; paid to learn!
Exceptional career development: there is room to grow here!
Referral Bonus Rewards!
E-tools to assist with meditation, better sleep, exercise, and focus
Virtual health care (telemedicine) offering quick access to quality care
Access to amazing mini-courses
Opportunities to give back to your community through VCA initiatives
Annual uniform allowance
Generous personal pet care discounts
And extra perks like shopping discounts and cool wellness apps!
Workspace
Founded in 2001, WVSEC is dedicated to serving the needs of veterinarians and pet owners, offering state-of-the-art specialty and emergency veterinary services at one of the largest, most comprehensive facilities of its kind in Canada. Our team includes specialists in Critical Care, Dermatology, Medical and Radiation Oncology, Radiology, Surgery, Internal Medicine, along with 24-hour emergency care and rehabilitation services. Our hospital culture fosters teamwork and camaraderie that naturally leads to delivering exceptional care to our patients, and service to our clients, referring veterinarians and our community. The hospital is well equipped with digital radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, fluoroscopy, CT scanner, linear accelerator, mechanical ventilator, a complete on-site diagnostic laboratory and monitoring equipment. Our referral base is large, with over 75 referring hospitals in our 1.2 million person trade area. Twenty of these hospitals in Calgary are partner clinics from whom we draw referrals to all services.
Our Story
VCA Canada is a network of veterinary hospitals, with our head office in Calgary, Alberta, committed to positively impacting pets, people, and local communities for nearly 45 years. We have compassion for the neighbourhoods we serve and every pet within them, not just those we see in our hospitals. Every VCA Canada hospital location takes pride in its legacy of excellence, earning the trust of pet owners by delivering the highest quality of medicine to keep pets happy and healthy.
In 2017, VCA Canada became part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of brands, solidifying an even stronger commitment to ensuring the strength and stability of the veterinary profession and our commitment to pet parents nationwide. VCA Canada is also passionate about providing an industry-leading Associate experience to over 4,000 Canadians employed across the country. In 2026, for the third year in a row, we were named one of Alberta's Top Employers, which recognizes organizations whose head offices are located within the province and lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work. Additionally, we were selected as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People 2026, which recognizes employers across Canada that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work and programs for young people starting their careers. Most recently, we received 2026 Great Place to Work® Certification™ Canada.
#ABVTA, #RVT, #animals
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