Job description template

Veterinary Technician Job Description Template

A copy-ready veterinary technician job description with responsibilities, qualifications, skills and pay guidance: customize it for your company in minutes.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
How to use this template

Copy the template below, replace the bracketed fields and tailor duties to your workplace. For pay, national BLS data shows veterinary technicians earn a median of $47,380 ($22.78/hour); the middle 50% earn $38,910–$57,650.

Job title

Veterinary Technician

Job summary

[Company name] is seeking a dependable veterinary technician to join our team in [city, state]. In this role, you will take patient histories and vital signs, draw blood and run lab tests and support our team’s commitment to safety, quality and service.

Responsibilities

  • Take patient histories and vital signs
  • Draw blood and run lab tests
  • Take radiographs
  • Place IV catheters and give medications as directed
  • Monitor anesthesia and assist in surgery
  • Perform dental cleanings
  • Educate pet owners
  • Follow company policies, safety procedures and applicable regulations

Required qualifications

  • Associate's degree
  • Current license or certification as required by [state]
  • Working knowledge of animal restraint and anesthesia monitoring
  • Compassion and calm under pressure
  • [Add role-specific requirements, such as driver’s license or ability to pass a background check, if job-related]

Preferred qualifications

  • Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE)
  • State credential (CVT, LVT or RVT)
  • Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS)
  • Experience with anesthesia machines and monitors

Skills

  • Radiography
  • Lab testing
  • Venipuncture and catheters
  • Dental prophylaxis
  • Teamwork
  • Client communication

Work environment and schedule

Vet techs work in animal hospitals, clinics, shelters and labs. The work involves lifting animals, bites and scratches, and emotionally difficult cases. Many work full-time with evening, weekend and overnight shifts at emergency hospitals.

Pay and benefits

$[min]–$[max] per [hour/year], depending on experience. [List benefits: health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan, training and certification support.]

Equal opportunity

[Company name] is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law, and we provide reasonable accommodations upon request.

Tips for a veterinary technician job posting that attracts applicants

  • Use the title candidates search for. “Veterinary Technician” is the clearest; alternates include Vet Tech, Credentialed Veterinary Technician, Registered Veterinary Technician.
  • Show the pay range. Postings with pay get more qualified applicants, and a growing number of states and cities require pay ranges in job postings.
  • Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves. Long requirement lists discourage qualified candidates, especially career changers.
  • Describe a real day. Borrow from our day in the life of a veterinary technician so applicants self-select accurately.
  • Mention training. Highlighting structured onboarding: such as Veterinary Technician training: widens your applicant pool.

Next steps

Screen and interview with our Veterinary Technician hiring guide, then onboard with the 30-60-90 day plan.

Team pricing