What are the responsibilities and job description for the Veterinary Technician, Surgery Experienced position at Ethos Veterinary Health?
Veterinary Technician, Surgery | $25–$35/hr Up to $5,000 Bonus
Location: Natick, MA
Schedule: Full-Time | Three 12-hour shifts per week
Compensation: $25–$35/hour Anesthesia On-Call Compensation Up to $5,000 Bonus
Boston West Veterinary Emergency & Specialty in Natick, MA is hiring a highly skilled, experienced Veterinary Technician to join our Surgery team. This is not an entry-level surgical nursing opportunity—we are looking for a technician who already has a strong clinical foundation and can confidently contribute to advanced anesthesia, perioperative nursing, and surgical patient care.
If you’re the technician others rely on for challenging anesthetic cases, subtle changes in patient status, advanced nursing care, and calm clinical judgment, we want to hear from you.
You’ll work alongside multiple board-certified surgeons in a specialty environment where experienced technicians are trusted to use their knowledge, think critically, and play an active role in patient care. Bring the skills you’ve worked hard to build—and continue advancing them through complex cases, sophisticated equipment, and high-level specialty medicine.
Compensation
- $25–$35/hour based on experience, anesthesia background, and skill assessment
- Additional compensation available for anesthesia on-call hours provided through the ER service
- Up to $5,000 bonus based on certification and skill set
- 50% paid after 6 months of employment
- 50% paid after 1 year of employment
You May Be a Great Fit If…
- You’re already comfortable managing anesthesia and want more complex cases
- You can recognize subtle changes in a patient and understand when something isn’t right
- You enjoy being trusted to think critically rather than simply follow a checklist
- You want to work alongside board-certified surgeons who value the expertise of their technicians
- You’ve built strong technical skills and are ready for an environment where you can actually use them
- You want specialty medicine to be the next chapter of your career—not your introduction to veterinary medicine
- Continuing Education & Uniform Allowance Free VetBloom access (RACE-approved CE)
- CVT/LVT/RVT license reimbursement
- RECOVER Training for advanced CPR skills
- Veterinary Technician Education Sponsorships VTNE reimbursement VTS Support
- 16-Week VTNE Study Group
- Professional Development Assistance
- PTO Employee Pet Discount
- Access exclusive financial benefits to help you save on student loans, mortgages, and personal loans
- NVA Pet Resort Discount Pet Insurance Discount
- Medical, Dental, Vision HSA/FSA Options
- Insurance Options: Life and AD&D Short & Long-Term Disability Critical Illness Accident Hospital Indemnity
- 401(k) with employer match
- Employee Assistance Program
- Referral Bonuses Potential for a bi-annual bonus tied to hospital performance
- Full-time
- Three 12-hour shifts per week
- Consistent schedule designed to support work-life balance
As a Surgery Veterinary Technician at Boston West, you’ll work closely with our board-certified surgeons and clinical team to deliver high-level surgical and perioperative patient care.
- Provide skilled perioperative nursing care for surgical patients from admission through anesthesia, procedure, recovery, and discharge
- Perform patient assessments and assist veterinarians with diagnostics, treatments, and development of patient care plans
- Prepare, administer, and monitor anesthesia and sedation under veterinarian direction, including recognizing and responding to changes in patient status
- Calculate and administer medications and treatments as directed by the veterinarian and within applicable scope of practice
- Prepare patients for advanced soft tissue and orthopedic procedures, including surgical site preparation and positioning
- Scrub in and provide technical assistance during advanced surgical procedures
- Monitor patients throughout the perioperative period, including anesthesia, immediate post-operative recovery, pain management, and ongoing hospitalization
- Perform and assist with advanced diagnostic imaging, including radiography, CT, and C-arm imaging
- Operate and maintain specialized surgical, anesthesia, monitoring, and diagnostic equipment
- Maintain accurate and detailed medical records, including anesthesia documentation, treatments, medications, and patient status
- Communicate patient updates, discharge instructions, and relevant medical information to clients in partnership with the veterinarian and surgical team
- Collaborate with surgeons, Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Assistants, and other specialty teams to coordinate high-quality patient care
This role is best suited for an experienced Veterinary Technician with a strong anesthesia and surgical nursing foundation who is comfortable working with complex patients in a fast-paced specialty environment.
- 2 years of Veterinary Technician experience required; specialty, emergency, surgery, or advanced anesthesia experience strongly preferred
- CVT, LVT, or RVT preferred, but not required
- Strong anesthesia skills, including anesthetic preparation, induction, monitoring, recovery, and recognition of anesthetic complications
- Ability to independently recognize changes in patient status, think critically, troubleshoot, and escalate concerns appropriately
- Strong understanding of perioperative nursing, pain management, patient assessment, and surgical patient care
- Experience preparing for and assisting with advanced surgical procedures
- Comfortable calculating and administering medications, CRIs, and treatments under veterinarian direction
- Proficiency with venipuncture, IV catheter placement, radiography, and advanced patient monitoring
- Experience with CT and/or C-arm imaging is a plus
- Comfortable working with sophisticated anesthesia, monitoring, surgical, and diagnostic equipment
- Strong medical documentation and communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with surgeons and the clinical team while also functioning confidently and independently within your scope
You’re not here to just get through your shift—you’re here to grow, contribute, and be part of something exceptional.
At Boston West, we bring together Expert Care and Local Heart—meaning you’ll practice high-level medicine while building real connections with patients, clients, and your team.
- Medicine that challenges you – Work alongside a highly skilled team in a 10,000 sq. ft. specialty facility with CT, ultrasound, and advanced diagnostics, where your knowledge and critical thinking truly matter
- Care that goes beyond medicine – Support and guide clients through emotional moments, building trust and making a lasting impact when they need it most
- True collaboration – ER Specialty working together, partnering across departments and with referring veterinarians to deliver seamless, thoughtful care
- Real career growth – Whether you’re pursuing VTS or expanding your skills, we invest in your future and give you the opportunity to level up
- You’re heard here – Your input matters in patient care, case management, and team decisions—you’re a valued voice, not just a role
- A team you actually want to work with – Supportive, positive, and genuinely collaborative, with people who show up for each other every day
Surrounding Areas
Boston West Veterinary Emergency & Specialty is located in Natick, Massachusetts, with access to many surrounding communities where experienced Veterinary Technicians often commute from, including:
- Framingham, MA & Wellesley, MA
- Newton, MA & Needham, MA
- Westborough, MA & Marlborough, MA
- Hopkinton, MA & Sudbury, MA
- Wayland, MA & Ashland, MA
- Medfield, MA & Dedham, MA
- Worcester, MA
Many team members commute from across MetroWest Boston and Worcester County, making Natick an accessible location for technicians throughout the region.
Considering Relocating?
Great talent can come from anywhere, and we welcome candidates who are considering a move. Whether you're relocating from another city, another state, or across the country, our Talent Acquisition team is here to support you throughout the hiring process and answer questions about the role, the hospital, and the surrounding community.
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.
Salary : $25 - $35