OPT Certified Veterinary Technician Jobs
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 JobsINTRODUCTION
Want to help pets live their best lives? We’re proud to be where the pets go and where the pet people go. If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you. Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what’s right for pets and people.
Pet First – Protect & Empower. All pets should Live their Best Life. We put the needs of pets and pet parents at the center of everything we do.
Foster the Fun – Connect & Bond. Our Passion for pets brings us together! We celebrate the journey of pet parenthood through district experiences, products, and services.
Let’s Go! Own & Commit. We are stronger as One Petco team.* We bring our unique superpowers and champion authenticity in everyone to drive success.
ABOUT PETCO
We’re proud to be "where the pets go" to find everything they need to live their best lives for more than 60 years — from their favorite meals and toys, to trusted supplies and expert support from people who get it, because we live it. We believe in the universal truths of pet parenthood — the boundless boops, missing slippers, late night zoomies and everything in between. And we’re here for it. Every tail wag, every vet visit, every step of the way. We are 29,000+ strong and together we nurture the pet-human bond in more than 1,500 Petco stores across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics and eight distribution centers. In 1999, we founded Petco Love. Together, we support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and have helped find homes for approximately 7 million animals through in-store adoption events.
POSITION PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Veterinarian Technician position inherently involves providing excellent veterinary care to our Vetco Total Care full-service hospital patients and phenomenal customer care to their owners. The Veterinary Technician represents the mission and values to all clients and partners. Our Veterinary Technicians set the tone for the technical and customer support team in the hospital, and are responsible, like all team members, for fostering cohesion and motivation within the hospital partners. All hospital partners are responsible for performing duties in a way that creates an environment in which:
The patient’s needs always come first.
Every team member understands that they have the power to do what it takes to create an exceptional customer and patient experience.
Contentious issues are dealt with and resolved as they occur when possible, or as soon as is possible.
Exceptional teamwork and commitment to shared goals benefits the entire organization.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
The incumbent must be able to perform all the following duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation:
Greet clients and patients arriving for appointments or walk-ins and escort into an exam room, obtain weight and vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations, pain score, body condition score), record all in the electronic medical record, and begin documentation of the patient visit in the electronic medical record by obtaining and recording a thorough patient history.
Assist veterinarian with appointments (routine and emergency), surgery, dentistry, and euthanasia's, taking direct supervision from the veterinarian(s) and the Hospital Office Manager or Hospital Leader on Duty.
Perform patient restraint, obtain and process laboratory samples, handle and dispense medications at the direction of the veterinarian, and maintain the electronic medical record.
Schedule appointments, communicate with and educate clients, relay test results to doctor and clients, maintain and update inventory as well as client/patient records, and manage accounts receivable.
Prepare patients for surgical and dental procedures, safely support induction and monitoring of anesthetized patients including checking and recording vital parameters (under direction of the veterinarian), monitor patients during recovery, and prepare them for discharge to owner or transfer to an overnight care facility as needed.
Provide in-hospital treatments for sick patients including giving injectable and oral medications as well as intravenous therapies; keep patients clean, watered, and fed (when indicated and directed by veterinarian), and safely walk canine patients when necessary for elimination.
Participate in the training of new staff members and general dissemination of knowledge as required.
Keep hospital environment neat and clean; perform regular cleaning of environment based on necessity as well as based on a pre-determined maintenance schedule.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Perform additional duties as assigned.
Provide backup phone and front desk support as needed.
NATURE OF SUPERVISION:
In all activities related to the care of patients, the Veterinary Technician will take direct supervision from the veterinarians as well as the Hospital Office Manager or Hospital Leader on Duty. For purposes of overall supervision, the Veterinary Technician takes direction from the Hospital Office Manager.
PLANNING AND PROBLEM SOLVING:
Like all team members, the Veterinary Technician plays a crucial role in ensuring that day-to-day operation of the hospital is efficient and provides an optimal experience for our patients and clients.
IMPACT:
This position will impact the organization by contributing to the growth of a productive practice while focusing on a high-quality standard of care. From an overall hospital organizational standpoint, this position is critical to ensuring that we have a cohesive, well-trained, and motivated technical team. The desired result is the creation of an optimal environment that ensures employee retention, patient well-being, and customer satisfaction.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
This position has no immediate supervisory duties.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
College or college-equivalent education (completed) as required in becoming a Credentialed Veterinary Technician in the state in which the hospital is located.
Must have at least 1-year previous experience as a Veterinary Technician or working in a veterinary practice.
Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Must be compassionate and sympathetic and be able to maintain a professional attitude and demeanor during emotional and stressful situations.
Must have telephone and computer skills.
Must be a team player willing to learn new techniques and treatments, offer creative ideas, and accept change.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The majority of job duties are conducted in the Vetco Total Care full-service hospital. Position requires bending, kneeling, lifting (up to 30 pounds, as necessary) and standing for long periods of time. A large amount of this partner’s time will be spent in direct contact with clients and their pets.
CONTACTS:
This position will regularly communicate with clients, veterinary specialists, and companies that provide products and/or services that the practice utilizes.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
The pay ranges outlined below are presented in accordance with state-specific regulations. These ranges may differ in other areas and could be subject to variation based on regulatory minimum wage requirements. Actual pay rates will depend on factors such as position, location, level of experience, and applicable state or local minimum wage laws. If the regulatory minimum wage exceeds the minimum indicated in the pay range below, the regulatory minimum wage will be the minimum rate applied.
SALARY RANGE:
$18.00 - $28.50
Hourly or Salary Range will be reflected above. For a more detailed overview of Petco Total Rewards, including health and financial benefits, 401K, incentives, and PTO.
Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification.
LOCATION:
438 Southbridge St, Auburn, MA 01501 United States
JOB TYPE:
Full time
WORK ARRANGEMENT:
Not Remote
INTRODUCTION
Want to help pets live their best lives? We’re proud to be where the pets go and where the pet people go. If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you. Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what’s right for pets and people.
Pet First – Protect & Empower. All pets should Live their Best Life. We put the needs of pets and pet parents at the center of everything we do.
Foster the Fun – Connect & Bond. Our Passion for pets brings us together! We celebrate the journey of pet parenthood through district experiences, products, and services.
Let’s Go! Own & Commit. We are stronger as One Petco team.* We bring our unique superpowers and champion authenticity in everyone to drive success.
ABOUT PETCO
We’re proud to be "where the pets go" to find everything they need to live their best lives for more than 60 years — from their favorite meals and toys, to trusted supplies and expert support from people who get it, because we live it. We believe in the universal truths of pet parenthood — the boundless boops, missing slippers, late night zoomies and everything in between. And we’re here for it. Every tail wag, every vet visit, every step of the way. We are 29,000+ strong and together we nurture the pet-human bond in more than 1,500 Petco stores across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics and eight distribution centers. In 1999, we founded Petco Love. Together, we support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and have helped find homes for approximately 7 million animals through in-store adoption events.
POSITION PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Veterinarian Technician position inherently involves providing excellent veterinary care to our Vetco Total Care full-service hospital patients and phenomenal customer care to their owners. The Veterinary Technician represents the mission and values to all clients and partners. Our Veterinary Technicians set the tone for the technical and customer support team in the hospital, and are responsible, like all team members, for fostering cohesion and motivation within the hospital partners. All hospital partners are responsible for performing duties in a way that creates an environment in which:
The patient’s needs always come first.
Every team member understands that they have the power to do what it takes to create an exceptional customer and patient experience.
Contentious issues are dealt with and resolved as they occur when possible, or as soon as is possible.
Exceptional teamwork and commitment to shared goals benefits the entire organization.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
The incumbent must be able to perform all the following duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation:
Greet clients and patients arriving for appointments or walk-ins and escort into an exam room, obtain weight and vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations, pain score, body condition score), record all in the electronic medical record, and begin documentation of the patient visit in the electronic medical record by obtaining and recording a thorough patient history.
Assist veterinarian with appointments (routine and emergency), surgery, dentistry, and euthanasia's, taking direct supervision from the veterinarian(s) and the Hospital Office Manager or Hospital Leader on Duty.
Perform patient restraint, obtain and process laboratory samples, handle and dispense medications at the direction of the veterinarian, and maintain the electronic medical record.
Schedule appointments, communicate with and educate clients, relay test results to doctor and clients, maintain and update inventory as well as client/patient records, and manage accounts receivable.
Prepare patients for surgical and dental procedures, safely support induction and monitoring of anesthetized patients including checking and recording vital parameters (under direction of the veterinarian), monitor patients during recovery, and prepare them for discharge to owner or transfer to an overnight care facility as needed.
Provide in-hospital treatments for sick patients including giving injectable and oral medications as well as intravenous therapies; keep patients clean, watered, and fed (when indicated and directed by veterinarian), and safely walk canine patients when necessary for elimination.
Participate in the training of new staff members and general dissemination of knowledge as required.
Keep hospital environment neat and clean; perform regular cleaning of environment based on necessity as well as based on a pre-determined maintenance schedule.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Perform additional duties as assigned.
Provide backup phone and front desk support as needed.
NATURE OF SUPERVISION:
In all activities related to the care of patients, the Veterinary Technician will take direct supervision from the veterinarians as well as the Hospital Office Manager or Hospital Leader on Duty. For purposes of overall supervision, the Veterinary Technician takes direction from the Hospital Office Manager.
PLANNING AND PROBLEM SOLVING:
Like all team members, the Veterinary Technician plays a crucial role in ensuring that day-to-day operation of the hospital is efficient and provides an optimal experience for our patients and clients.
IMPACT:
This position will impact the organization by contributing to the growth of a productive practice while focusing on a high-quality standard of care. From an overall hospital organizational standpoint, this position is critical to ensuring that we have a cohesive, well-trained, and motivated technical team. The desired result is the creation of an optimal environment that ensures employee retention, patient well-being, and customer satisfaction.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
This position has no immediate supervisory duties.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
College or college-equivalent education (completed) as required in becoming a Credentialed Veterinary Technician in the state in which the hospital is located.
Must have at least 1-year previous experience as a Veterinary Technician or working in a veterinary practice.
Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Must be compassionate and sympathetic and be able to maintain a professional attitude and demeanor during emotional and stressful situations.
Must have telephone and computer skills.
Must be a team player willing to learn new techniques and treatments, offer creative ideas, and accept change.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The majority of job duties are conducted in the Vetco Total Care full-service hospital. Position requires bending, kneeling, lifting (up to 30 pounds, as necessary) and standing for long periods of time. A large amount of this partner’s time will be spent in direct contact with clients and their pets.
CONTACTS:
This position will regularly communicate with clients, veterinary specialists, and companies that provide products and/or services that the practice utilizes.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
The pay ranges outlined below are presented in accordance with state-specific regulations. These ranges may differ in other areas and could be subject to variation based on regulatory minimum wage requirements. Actual pay rates will depend on factors such as position, location, level of experience, and applicable state or local minimum wage laws. If the regulatory minimum wage exceeds the minimum indicated in the pay range below, the regulatory minimum wage will be the minimum rate applied.
SALARY RANGE:
$18.00 - $28.50
Hourly or Salary Range will be reflected above. For a more detailed overview of Petco Total Rewards, including health and financial benefits, 401K, incentives, and PTO.
Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification.
LOCATION:
438 Southbridge St, Auburn, MA 01501 United States
JOB TYPE:
Full time
WORK ARRANGEMENT:
Not Remote
See all OPT Certified Veterinary Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Certified Veterinary Technician Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT 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 OPT: Frequently 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.