Certified Veterinary Technician Jobs for OPT Students
Certified Veterinary Technician jobs on OPT are available across veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, and research facilities. Most roles require an active CVT license, which varies by state. Your OPT period runs up to 12 months, with a 24-month STEM extension available if your degree qualifies.
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Get Access To All JobsAnimal Doctors of South Tampa is offering $1000.00 signing bonus for Florida CVTs! Join a team where your skills will be utilized and appreciated!
- Salary: $22 - 26 per hour, depending on experience, education, certifications, licensure, and location.
- Schedule: Full and part-time options available. Must be willing to work a rotating Saturday. Closed Sunday and Major Holidays.
- Location: 3002 W Gandy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33611, USA
- Additional Benefits: Company-provided RACE accredited continuing education, license reimbursement
Who Are We:
Animal Doctors of South Tampa is a busy, well-established small animal hospital serving the South Tampa community. We are a fast-paced, team-oriented practice that provides wellness care, surgery, dentistry, and diagnostics. Our technicians are highly valued and play a hands-on role in patient care, anesthesia, and client education. We are proud of our collaborative culture, loyal client base, and commitment to quality medicine and compassionate care.
Who You Are:
- Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) in Florida, or eligible to transfer/acquire state license within 3 months of hire
- Knowledge of industry tools and equipment
- Passion for working with animals and their owners
- Experience with proper animal handling and restraint
- Solid understanding of animal behavior and healthcare
- Understands the importance of excellent communication and organizational skills
- Dental Experience, scaling, polishing, extractions, suturing
- Skilled in IV Catheter placement, urinary catheter placement, applying casts, bandages and splints
- Anesthesia monitoring and surgical experience including intubation, monitoring, pre-operative and post-operative care
- Laboratory skills including cytology set-up and interpretation
- Diagnostic experience including digital radiology, dental radiology, and ultrasound-guided cystocentesis
- And all other duties of a Registered Veterinary Technician as allowable by law
What Makes Us Different
- Referral program – join our team, bring your friends, and get paid!
- Career development and advancement opportunities.
- CE programs provided by AmeriVet at NO cost to you!
At AmeriVet, we’re committed to your growth, development, well-being, and success. We empower team members with the resources, support, and opportunities needed to thrive in their careers and make a lasting impact in our communities.
Here’s what you can expect when you join our team:
- Tailored development programs, mentorship, and career pathing to help you achieve your unique goals.
- Competitive pay, performance bonuses, 401(k) matching, and student loan assistance to foster your financial well-being.
- Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and mental health resources to support your overall well-being.
- Generous paid time off and holidays, because your personal time matters.
- A supportive, collaborative environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
Please note: Any Benefits listed above apply to full-time employees.
At AmeriVet, your unique skills and passion are celebrated, and every team member has the tools to thrive. Our people-focused approach is centered on helping you grow in your career while making a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.
Animal Doctors of South Tampa is offering $1000.00 signing bonus for Florida CVTs! Join a team where your skills will be utilized and appreciated!
- Salary: $22 - 26 per hour, depending on experience, education, certifications, licensure, and location.
- Schedule: Full and part-time options available. Must be willing to work a rotating Saturday. Closed Sunday and Major Holidays.
- Location: 3002 W Gandy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33611, USA
- Additional Benefits: Company-provided RACE accredited continuing education, license reimbursement
Who Are We:
Animal Doctors of South Tampa is a busy, well-established small animal hospital serving the South Tampa community. We are a fast-paced, team-oriented practice that provides wellness care, surgery, dentistry, and diagnostics. Our technicians are highly valued and play a hands-on role in patient care, anesthesia, and client education. We are proud of our collaborative culture, loyal client base, and commitment to quality medicine and compassionate care.
Who You Are:
- Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) in Florida, or eligible to transfer/acquire state license within 3 months of hire
- Knowledge of industry tools and equipment
- Passion for working with animals and their owners
- Experience with proper animal handling and restraint
- Solid understanding of animal behavior and healthcare
- Understands the importance of excellent communication and organizational skills
- Dental Experience, scaling, polishing, extractions, suturing
- Skilled in IV Catheter placement, urinary catheter placement, applying casts, bandages and splints
- Anesthesia monitoring and surgical experience including intubation, monitoring, pre-operative and post-operative care
- Laboratory skills including cytology set-up and interpretation
- Diagnostic experience including digital radiology, dental radiology, and ultrasound-guided cystocentesis
- And all other duties of a Registered Veterinary Technician as allowable by law
What Makes Us Different
- Referral program – join our team, bring your friends, and get paid!
- Career development and advancement opportunities.
- CE programs provided by AmeriVet at NO cost to you!
At AmeriVet, we’re committed to your growth, development, well-being, and success. We empower team members with the resources, support, and opportunities needed to thrive in their careers and make a lasting impact in our communities.
Here’s what you can expect when you join our team:
- Tailored development programs, mentorship, and career pathing to help you achieve your unique goals.
- Competitive pay, performance bonuses, 401(k) matching, and student loan assistance to foster your financial well-being.
- Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and mental health resources to support your overall well-being.
- Generous paid time off and holidays, because your personal time matters.
- A supportive, collaborative environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
Please note: Any Benefits listed above apply to full-time employees.
At AmeriVet, your unique skills and passion are celebrated, and every team member has the tools to thrive. Our people-focused approach is centered on helping you grow in your career while making a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Certified Veterinary Technician
Verify your state license transfers
CVT licensing is state-specific. Before applying, confirm your credential is valid in the state where the job is located. Some states offer reciprocity; others require a new exam. Sorting this out early prevents offer delays.
Target employers with established OPT hiring
Large veterinary groups like corporate clinic chains and university vet schools have HR teams familiar with OPT work authorization. Smaller independent clinics often lack that experience, which can slow your start date significantly.
Address your authorization timeline upfront
Your OPT EAD has an expiration date employers will notice. Frame your timeline clearly in interviews: current authorization period, STEM extension eligibility if applicable, and your plan for longer-term status before the conversation ends.
Pursue STEM extension eligibility if your degree qualifies
Veterinary technology programs under qualifying CIP codes may support a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO early. The extension nearly triples your authorized work window.
Apply to research institutions and veterinary schools
University-affiliated veterinary programs and biomedical research facilities regularly hire CVTs and have immigration compliance infrastructure in place. These employers are more comfortable navigating OPT paperwork than many private practices.
Get your EAD and license documents ready before applying
Employers will ask for your EAD card, CVT license, and proof of active OPT status at the offer stage. Having these organized and ready to share signals professionalism and prevents unnecessary delays in the hiring process.
Certified Veterinary Technician jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Certified Veterinary Technician on OPT?
Yes, as long as your CVT role is directly related to your degree field. OPT requires employment in a position that uses the knowledge and skills from your program. A job performing veterinary technical duties with a degree in veterinary technology clearly meets that standard. Keep documentation showing the connection between your role and your studies.
Does a CVT job qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your specific degree program's CIP code, not the job title itself. Some veterinary technology and animal science programs fall under STEM-designated CIP codes that support the 24-month extension. Check with your DSO to confirm your program qualifies before assuming eligibility. If it does qualify, you must apply for the extension before your initial OPT period ends.
How do I find Certified Veterinary Technician jobs that accept OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces CVT roles from employers open to sponsoring or hiring on OPT. Searching there filters out postings from employers unlikely to work with your authorization status. You can browse by role and location to find positions that match both your credential and your remaining OPT timeline.
Do I need a state CVT license to work on OPT, or is my degree enough?
Most states require an active CVT or LVT license to perform veterinary technician duties legally. Your degree alone is not sufficient for most clinical roles. Licensing requirements, exam formats, and reciprocity rules differ by state, so confirm the specific requirements for the state where you plan to work before you apply.
What happens to my OPT if my CVT employer closes or I lose my job?
You have a 90-day unemployment allowance during your OPT period. If you lose your job, that clock starts immediately. You must report the change to your DSO within 10 days through your SEVP portal. Finding a new qualifying CVT position before the 90 days expire is critical, as exceeding that window puts your status at risk.
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