Certified Veterinary Technician Jobs in Illinois
Certified Veterinary Technician jobs in Illinois draw consistent demand across companion animal clinics, specialty and emergency hospitals, university veterinary programs, and zoo or wildlife facilities, with openings at every level from new graduates through senior technicians and supervisory roles. Chicago, Springfield, and Champaign-Urbana account for the largest share of postings, anchored by employers such as BluePearl Veterinary Partners, Banfield Pet Hospital, and the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Anesthesia support, emergency and critical care, and dentistry are among the most actively sought specialties in Illinois right now. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 51+ Certified Veterinary Technician jobs
Overview
As a Veterinary Technician with Heartland Veterinary Partners, you will be trusted with seamlessly blending patient care and client service. As the backbone of our clinical endeavors, you will support all aspects of our veterinary practice and enable us to provide veterinary care to the communities we serve. Whether educating clients, assisting in surgery, or caring for hospitalized patients, you will be at the center of all practice happenings.
To be successful in this role, you must have a strong foundation in veterinary medicine, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and a passion for animal care. You will also be expected to be a team player and a self-starter.
Practice:
- Patience & Compassion: Remaining professional while still making teammates, clients, and patients feel as comfortable as possible regardless of the situation or challenges presented. Responding quickly and calmly to crisis while maintaining a high standard of patient care.
- Collaboration & Teamwork: Carefully coordinating actions with veterinarians and practice team members. Providing feedback appropriately and in a timely manner. Quickly incorporating feedback to ensure positive results. Sharing ideas and being open to other’s ideas.
- Communicating: Conveying instructions to clients and teammates to ensure successful patient care.
- Active Listening: Following the instructions of veterinarians and sometimes patient owners. Picking up on the needs of veterinarians and teammates based on prior experiences and feedback.
- Organization Skills: Clear tracking of lab specimens, medications, patient instructions, workflow, and other job-related items while managing multiple patients and clients.
- Client Satisfaction: Ensuring all activities and interactions result in the highest level of client satisfaction.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Assist veterinarians in the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery and other tasks as needed.
- Assist veterinarians in outpatient exams by taking histories, vital signs, and weights, as well as providing client education.
- Prepare patients for surgery and monitor vital signs of the patient during surgery.
- Obtain blood, stool, and other samples; perform in-hospital laboratory testing and prepare specimens for outside laboratories.
- Take, develop, and maintain radiographs following proper safety procedures.
- Provide basic animal handling and restrain animals during exams.
- Administer and monitor medications, anesthesia, vaccines, and treatments at the discretion of the veterinarian.
- Clean and straighten exam rooms, treatment, and lab areas; restock exam rooms with supplies. Assist other team members to keep the public areas of the practice clean; clean and maintain all medical equipment.
- Demonstrate warmth, courtesy and professionalism in all interactions with clients; exercise compassion and care in all interactions with patients.
- Communicate with veterinarians and practice team members including client discussions, patient plans, client concerns, etc.
- Any other duties as assigned.
Requirements/Qualifications:
- State license to work as a certified/licensed/registered veterinary technician in state of desired employment
- Ability to lift patients and carry equipment up to 25 pounds; ability to lift patients or carry equipment over 25 pounds with assistance
- Practice OSHA safety techniques including proper PPE
- Basic computer skills, familiarity with MS office applications, etc.
- Basic math and ability to calculate medication dosages
- Strong communication skills to ensure patient safety
Benefits Offered:
- Paid time off
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement benefits (401k, Roth k and matching)
- Bonus incentive
- Career and professional development
- State licensing fee reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Referral Program
Benefits offered may vary depending on full or part time employment status according to company policy.
Pay Range:
USD $28.00 - USD $35.00 /Hr.Culture
At Heartland, we’re committed to providing excellent care and services to our patients and clients. We also provide the supportive and collaborative work environment our employees need to grow and do their best now and in the future.
With a variety of clinical and career development opportunities available, veterinary technicians are encouraged to pursue management and leadership roles within the company.
- Penn Foster scholarships for LVT and CVPM
- Leadership training
- Clinical mentorship
- Academic and board exam coaching
- And more
Career Path
Veterinary Technician
Begin your Heartland career journey with hands-on experience as a Veterinary Technician.
Lead Veterinary Technician
You have some great experience under your belt and have shown yourself to be capable of handling more responsibility and being a leader.
Veterinary Practice Manager
Your hard work and dedication have been rewarded with the honor of managing your own practice.
“Being a CVT with Heartland has allowed me to utilize and grow my skill set as a veterinary technician while advancing my career – all while being surrounded by a fun and supportive team. With Heartland, I’m part of a team that truly understands and encourages each other through the many rewards and challenges veterinary medicine brings our way.”
- Ellen Chesnut, Credentialed TechnicianTrending
You put patients first. We put you first.
Heartland is built by veterinarians and for veterinarians. Learn all about who we are and how we’re empowering vets to focus on doing the work they love.
Meet the team behind the mission.
Who are we? We’re a community of passionate animal lovers who are here to improve the lives of veterinarians. Come meet us.
Rewards
Comprehensive Health and Wellness Benefits
Generous Vacation Time
License Reimbursement
Career Development Opportunities
Hands On Skills Training
VTNE Support
Overview
As a Veterinary Technician with Heartland Veterinary Partners, you will be trusted with seamlessly blending patient care and client service. As the backbone of our clinical endeavors, you will support all aspects of our veterinary practice and enable us to provide veterinary care to the communities we serve. Whether educating clients, assisting in surgery, or caring for hospitalized patients, you will be at the center of all practice happenings.
To be successful in this role, you must have a strong foundation in veterinary medicine, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and a passion for animal care. You will also be expected to be a team player and a self-starter.
Practice:
- Patience & Compassion: Remaining professional while still making teammates, clients, and patients feel as comfortable as possible regardless of the situation or challenges presented. Responding quickly and calmly to crisis while maintaining a high standard of patient care.
- Collaboration & Teamwork: Carefully coordinating actions with veterinarians and practice team members. Providing feedback appropriately and in a timely manner. Quickly incorporating feedback to ensure positive results. Sharing ideas and being open to other’s ideas.
- Communicating: Conveying instructions to clients and teammates to ensure successful patient care.
- Active Listening: Following the instructions of veterinarians and sometimes patient owners. Picking up on the needs of veterinarians and teammates based on prior experiences and feedback.
- Organization Skills: Clear tracking of lab specimens, medications, patient instructions, workflow, and other job-related items while managing multiple patients and clients.
- Client Satisfaction: Ensuring all activities and interactions result in the highest level of client satisfaction.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Assist veterinarians in the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery and other tasks as needed.
- Assist veterinarians in outpatient exams by taking histories, vital signs, and weights, as well as providing client education.
- Prepare patients for surgery and monitor vital signs of the patient during surgery.
- Obtain blood, stool, and other samples; perform in-hospital laboratory testing and prepare specimens for outside laboratories.
- Take, develop, and maintain radiographs following proper safety procedures.
- Provide basic animal handling and restrain animals during exams.
- Administer and monitor medications, anesthesia, vaccines, and treatments at the discretion of the veterinarian.
- Clean and straighten exam rooms, treatment, and lab areas; restock exam rooms with supplies. Assist other team members to keep the public areas of the practice clean; clean and maintain all medical equipment.
- Demonstrate warmth, courtesy and professionalism in all interactions with clients; exercise compassion and care in all interactions with patients.
- Communicate with veterinarians and practice team members including client discussions, patient plans, client concerns, etc.
- Any other duties as assigned.
Requirements/Qualifications:
- State license to work as a certified/licensed/registered veterinary technician in state of desired employment
- Ability to lift patients and carry equipment up to 25 pounds; ability to lift patients or carry equipment over 25 pounds with assistance
- Practice OSHA safety techniques including proper PPE
- Basic computer skills, familiarity with MS office applications, etc.
- Basic math and ability to calculate medication dosages
- Strong communication skills to ensure patient safety
Benefits Offered:
- Paid time off
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement benefits (401k, Roth k and matching)
- Bonus incentive
- Career and professional development
- State licensing fee reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Referral Program
Benefits offered may vary depending on full or part time employment status according to company policy.
Pay Range:
USD $28.00 - USD $35.00 /Hr.Culture
At Heartland, we’re committed to providing excellent care and services to our patients and clients. We also provide the supportive and collaborative work environment our employees need to grow and do their best now and in the future.
With a variety of clinical and career development opportunities available, veterinary technicians are encouraged to pursue management and leadership roles within the company.
- Penn Foster scholarships for LVT and CVPM
- Leadership training
- Clinical mentorship
- Academic and board exam coaching
- And more
Career Path
Veterinary Technician
Begin your Heartland career journey with hands-on experience as a Veterinary Technician.
Lead Veterinary Technician
You have some great experience under your belt and have shown yourself to be capable of handling more responsibility and being a leader.
Veterinary Practice Manager
Your hard work and dedication have been rewarded with the honor of managing your own practice.
“Being a CVT with Heartland has allowed me to utilize and grow my skill set as a veterinary technician while advancing my career – all while being surrounded by a fun and supportive team. With Heartland, I’m part of a team that truly understands and encourages each other through the many rewards and challenges veterinary medicine brings our way.”
- Ellen Chesnut, Credentialed TechnicianTrending
You put patients first. We put you first.
Heartland is built by veterinarians and for veterinarians. Learn all about who we are and how we’re empowering vets to focus on doing the work they love.
Meet the team behind the mission.
Who are we? We’re a community of passionate animal lovers who are here to improve the lives of veterinarians. Come meet us.
Rewards
Comprehensive Health and Wellness Benefits
Generous Vacation Time
License Reimbursement
Career Development Opportunities
Hands On Skills Training
VTNE Support
See All 51 Certified Veterinary Technician Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsCertified Veterinary Technician Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Certified Veterinary Technician Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Animal Care & Pet Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in certified veterinary technician jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois veterinary technician license issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- Certified Veterinary Technician credential earned through the Veterinary Technician National Examination
- Associate or bachelor's degree from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program
- Hands-on clinical experience with anesthesia monitoring, venipuncture, and patient triage
- Proficiency with veterinary practice management software and electronic medical records
- Strong communication skills for client education and coordination with veterinarians
Certified Veterinary Technician Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a certified veterinary technician in Illinois?
To become a licensed veterinary technician in Illinois, you must graduate from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination, and apply for licensure through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Illinois requires applicants to hold an active license before using the title of certified veterinary technician. The credential must be renewed on a regular cycle with documented continuing education.
How much do certified veterinary technicians make in Illinois?
Certified veterinary technicians in Illinois earn a median of about $46,440 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $38,580 for the lowest 10% to over $60,520 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire certified veterinary technicians in Illinois?
Employers hiring certified veterinary technicians in Illinois right now include Banfield Pet Hospital, Petco, and Heartland Veterinary Partners, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's dense network of specialty and emergency animal hospitals, combined with large university veterinary programs, means openings appear across both corporate group practices and independent clinics throughout the state.
Which Illinois cities have the most certified veterinary technician jobs?
Chicago, Peoria, and Crest Hill consistently post the most certified veterinary technician openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the largest volume thanks to its concentration of specialty hospitals, emergency centers, and corporate veterinary groups, while Springfield and Champaign-Urbana benefit from state government animal health programs and the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, which generates steady clinical and instructional hiring in those metros.
Are there remote certified veterinary technician jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Clinical veterinary technician work is hands-on by nature, so most positions require physical presence with patients and equipment. About 0% of certified veterinary technician openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those roles tend to concentrate in areas like veterinary telemedicine triage, technical sales support, or veterinary insurance consulting rather than direct patient care.
How can I get hired as a certified veterinary technician in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a veterinary assistant or kennel technician role at a large Illinois clinic or emergency hospital, then completing your AVMA-accredited program while working. BluePearl Veterinary Partners and Banfield Pet Hospital locations across the Chicago metro frequently hire assistants and offer internal advancement once you pass your licensing exam. Completing a clinical externship through the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine also signals readiness to Illinois employers and can convert directly into a job offer.
Where can I find and apply to certified veterinary technician jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to certified veterinary technician jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings from clinics, emergency hospitals, specialty practices, and university programs. Find roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to each employer through the listing.
See All 51 Certified Veterinary Technician Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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