Veterinary Technician, Exotics

About the job

Veterinary Technician, Exotics Location: Animal Emergency Hospital - Bel Air, MD Schedule: Friday - Monday | 10am - 10pm Compensation: $24- 29/hr

Position Overview The Lead Exotics Veterinary Technician provides advanced nursing care, diagnostic support, client education, and procedural assistance for a diverse range of exotic species, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and small mammals. In addition to hands-on patient care, this position plays a key leadership role in training and mentoring staff, supporting daily operations, improving departmental protocols, and collaborating with veterinarians and the Emergency and Critical Care team to provide exceptional care to our patients.

Responsibilities Patient Care & Nursing

• Provide compassionate, high-quality nursing care to a variety of exotic animal species.
• Monitor hospitalized patients, recognize changes in condition, and promptly communicate concerns to the attending veterinarian.
• Prepare and administer medications and treatments as prescribed.
• Perform assisted feedings, including syringe, gavage, and tube feeding techniques as appropriate.
• Place and maintain intravenous catheters, manage fluid therapy and continuous rate infusions, and assist with blood transfusions when indicated.
• Triage and assist in stabilizing emergent and critically ill exotic patients.
• Collaborate with the Emergency and Critical Care team in managing exotic emergencies.

Diagnostics & Procedures

• Collect blood and other diagnostic samples for laboratory testing.
• Prepare patients for diagnostic imaging, anesthesia, and surgical procedures.
• Induce, monitor, and recover patients undergoing anesthesia.
• Perform diagnostic imaging, including radiography and computed tomography (CT).
• Assist veterinarians with examinations, surgeries, diagnostic procedures, and advanced treatments.
• Maintain accurate treatment sheets and medical records.

Client Communication & Education

• Obtain thorough medical and husbandry histories.
• Review estimates for diagnostics, treatments, and procedures with clients.
• Provide patient updates, discharge instructions, medication demonstrations, and species-specific husbandry recommendations.
• Deliver compassionate, professional service and help clients understand their pets' medical needs.

Leadership & Department Development

• Help develop and maintain Exotics Department protocols, workflows, equipment needs, inventory standards, and patient care guidelines.
• Train, mentor, and support veterinary technicians and assistants in exotic animal husbandry, safe handling, anesthesia, and nursing techniques.
• Assist with scheduling and daily staffing needs.
• Support team development through regular feedback, coaching, and one-on-one meetings.
• Promote Fear Free® principles and low-stress handling techniques whenever possible.
• Serve as a resource for continued education in exotic animal medicine and patient care.

Hospital Operations

• Ensure accurate medical records, billing, and charge capture.
• Monitor inventory and order medications, supplies, and equipment as needed.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe treatment areas.
• Assist with equipment maintenance, surgical instrument preparation, and infection control procedures.

Qualifications

• Credentialed Veterinary Technician (CVT, LVT, or RVT) preferred. Experienced veterinary technicians with extensive exotic animal experience will also be considered.
• Minimum of 2 years of clinical experience required; specialty or exotic animal experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of exotic animal husbandry, handling, restraint, anesthesia, diagnostics, and nursing care.
• Ability to work confidently with a variety of exotic species.
• Excellent communication, organization, leadership, and multitasking skills.
• Ability to prioritize responsibilities and remain calm in a fast-paced emergency and specialty hospital environment.
• A positive attitude, strong work ethic, reliability, and the ability to work well with others.
• Commitment to exceptional patient care, client education, and teamwork.
• Fear Free® certification preferred but not required.

Schedule:

• Friday - Monday
• 10am - 10pm
• Candidates must have flexibility to work days, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Perks & Benefits:

• $24 - 29/hr (based on experience and skill set)
• Shift differentials: Additional $3/hour for overnight shifts and $4/hour for weekend shifts.
• Pet bill discounts and employee pet wellness days.
• Extremely discounted employee pet bloodwork.
• Cell phone discounts.
• Vacation accrual starting right away, with the opportunity to accrue up to 160 hours.
• PTO and sick time.
• Insurance benefits and a 401(k) with employer match.
• Free short-term disability (STD) coverage for eligible employees.
• Free therapy and Employee Assistance Program.
• Employee professional mentorship programs.
• Onsite classes, training, and continuing education opportunities.
• Veterinary Technician Education Support: Full scholarships for the Penn Foster Veterinary Technology associate degree program and scholarships for the CCBC Veterinary Technician program. Employees must work at our hospital for at least six months to qualify.
• Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) support groups, resources, webinar training, and mentorship opportunities to specialize in emergency and critical care.
• Rabies vaccinations.
• Employee referral bonuses.
• Continuing education and conference allowance for RVTs of up to $3,000.
• Coverage of licensing costs and professional fees, along with additional benefits.

Join Our Team! Are you ready to combine your passion for exotic animal medicine with leadership and professional growth? If you enjoy providing exceptional patient care, educating clients, mentoring team members, and helping build a strong Exotics Department, we would love to hear from you!

About Us At Animal Emergency Hospital, we pride ourselves on providing compassionate, dedicated care to every animal and owner who walks through our doors. We are a busy, fast-paced, 24-hour emergency hospital located in Bel Air, Maryland, with a support staff of over 60 team members. We are looking for an enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and compassionate Lead Exotics Veterinary Technician to join our team and help grow our Exotics Department. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced veterinary technician who is passionate about exotic animal medicine, enjoys mentoring others, and wants to play an important role in developing high-quality patient care standards and departmental workflows.

About Ethos Veterinary Health Ethos Veterinary Health, part of the NVA Group, is where you come to practice world-class medicine, and help shape what veterinary care becomes next. Across our network of 140 specialty and emergency hospitals, science moves forward, standards are elevated, and innovation is put into practice every day. You’ll work alongside respected veterinary leaders in academic-caliber hospitals designed for learning, teaching, and discovery. Here, mentorship is a two-way street. You’ll share your expertise, learn from others, and continue to grow, clinically, professionally, and personally. At Ethos, you inspire hope, deliver exceptional care, and pursue veterinary medicine at its highest level, together. Join Us At Ethos, this isn’t just a job, it’s an opportunity to practice medicine at the highest level and help shape the future of veterinary care! Equal Opportunity Employer Ethos is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Ethos does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, competence, merit, and business need. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.