Large Animal Veterinary Technician

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Large Animal Veterinary Technician

Job Profile Title

Veterinary Technician B

Job Description Summary

Job Description

Join the Penn Vet New Bolton Center Nursing Team

Please Note: This position is located at New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania (Chester County), approximately 33 miles west of Philadelphia. Public transportation is not available to this location, and reliable personal transportation is required.

New Bolton Center, the large animal hospital of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, is seeking compassionate and motivated Veterinary Technicians to join our nursing team. Working alongside board-certified specialists, residents, interns, veterinary students, and fellow technicians, you'll provide exceptional nursing care to equine and other large animal patients in one of the nation's premier veterinary teaching hospitals.

Our technicians play an essential role in patient care while helping educate the next generation of veterinarians and veterinary nurses. Every day offers the opportunity to care for a diverse caseload ranging from routine medical patients to complex emergency, critical care, neonatal, and surgical cases.

What You'll Do

As a Veterinary Technician, you will provide comprehensive nursing care while supporting the daily clinical operations of New Bolton Center, including:

• Delivering exceptional nursing care to hospitalized, outpatient, emergency, and critical care equine and large animal patients
• Collaborating with veterinarians and the patient care team to prioritize treatments and ensure efficient, high-quality patient care
• Performing advanced technical procedures including IV catheter placement, venipuncture, medication administration, nasogastric tube placement, tube feedings, fluid therapy management, and other specialized nursing procedures
• Monitoring anesthesia recovery, pain management, intravenous fluid therapy, and postoperative patients
• Assessing critically ill adult and neonatal patients and communicating changes in patient status to the veterinary team
• Managing isolation patients while following all hospital biosecurity and infection control protocols
• Performing daily husbandry and patient care activities as needed
• Documenting treatments, nursing observations, medical records, and hospital charges accurately within the electronic medical record
• Participating in patient rounds to promote excellent communication and continuity of care
• Assisting with clinical research projects as assigned
• Supporting a collaborative, patient-focused hospital environment

Teaching & Mentorship

As part of an academic teaching hospital, our technicians are integral to veterinary education by:

• Providing hands-on instruction to University of Pennsylvania veterinary students and Harcum College veterinary nursing students during clinical rotations
• Demonstrating nursing procedures and best practices in large animal medicine
• Evaluating student performance and providing constructive feedback throughout clinical rotations
• Serving as a mentor and role model while promoting a collaborative learning environment

What We're Looking For

Successful candidates are organized, adaptable, and passionate about providing outstanding patient care. They thrive in a collaborative hospital environment and enjoy both clinical nursing and teaching future veterinary professionals.

Candidates should possess:

• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to prioritize multiple patients and responsibilities in a fast-paced hospital
• A collaborative, team-oriented mindset
• Horse handling experience preferred, but not required

Credentialing Requirements by Level

Veterinary Technician Level A

• Enrolled in an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology program with the goal of working in large animal nursing after graduation OR
• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Animal Science, or Equine Studies with a strong interest in veterinary medicine
• Large animal experience preferred but not required
• 0–1 years of experience

Veterinary Technician Level B

• Current CVT, LVT, or RVT
• 1–2 years of veterinary hospital or general practice experience
• Able to independently perform core nursing skills
• Ability to teach basic technical skills

Veterinary Technician Level C

• Current CVT, LVT, or RVT
• 3–5 years of emergency or specialty hospital experience
• Advanced technical and critical care nursing skills
• Experience mentoring students and junior technicians

Veterinary Technician Level D

• Current CVT, LVT, or RVT
• 5–7 years of advanced emergency or specialty nursing experience
• Demonstrated leadership in teaching, mentoring, and supporting veterinary student education
• Advanced technical and clinical decision-making skills

Schedule

• Full-time position; 9 pm - 7:30 am Tuesday - Friday with rotating weekends; 30% shift differential applies for all overnight hours.
• Rotating weekends and holidays required

Compensation & Benefits

We are hiring at all technician levels for this opportunity. Compensation is commensurate with experience, credentials, skills, and level placement.

• Eligible for a $1,000 sign-on incentive
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, tuition assistance, paid time off, and University of Pennsylvania employee benefits

For additional information regarding the sign-on incentive, please contact Amy Shields at ashields@vet.upenn.edu.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to safely handle horses and other large animal patients (training provided as needed)
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and perform physically demanding work throughout the shift
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and move equipment and assist with patient handling
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Ability to tolerate exposure to animals, hay, bedding, dust, chemicals, and other common environmental allergens

Join Penn Vet New Bolton Center

If you're passionate about large animal medicine, enjoy working alongside nationally recognized specialists, and want to help shape the future of veterinary medicine through outstanding patient care and education, we'd love to hear from you. Join Penn Vet's New Bolton Center and become part of a team committed to clinical excellence, innovation, and teaching.

Job Location - City, State

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Veterinary Medicine

Pay Range

$19.81 - $33.00 Hourly Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay