OPT Licensed Veterinary Technician Jobs
Licensed Veterinary Technician jobs on OPT are available at private clinics, animal hospitals, and university veterinary programs across the U.S. Your STEM OPT extension doesn't apply here, so the standard 12-month authorization window matters. Employers typically require an active LVT license for the state where you'll be working.
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Get Access To All JobsLicensed Veterinary Technician - Emergency (Day)
$30–$40/hr + $4/hr Overnight Differential (6pm–6am) + $2/hr Weekend Differential (Sat–Sun)
Full-time opportunity in Vancouver, WA
Schedule: Day, 24/7 Emergency Hospital. Rotating holiday shifts and participation in the on-call rotation are required.
We're a busy 24/7 emergency and specialty veterinary hospital just outside Portland, OR, looking for a skilled LVT to join our overnight emergency team. If high-acuity cases and a fast-moving treatment floor are where you do your best work, this role is built for you.
Why Join Pacific Northwest Pet ER & Specialty Center
At Pacific Northwest Pet ER & Specialty Center, part of Ethos Veterinary Health, you'll work with advanced technology including MRI and CT, in a collaborative team environment with a genuine commitment to staff wellness. VTS mentorship opportunities are available for credentialed technicians, and our modern facility includes an employee garden and a real focus on staff wellness and mental health.
In your day-to-day, you will:
- Triage, stabilize, and monitor critical and emergency patients
- Place IV and urinary catheters, and perform venipuncture and fluid therapy
- Induce and monitor general anesthesia and sedation
- Run diagnostics, document in medical records, and support CPR
- Communicate treatment plans and updates to pet owners and the care team
- Discharge patients and provide thorough client education
- Work closely with veterinarians, technicians, and support teams
- Contribute to a positive, team-focused hospital culture
What You Bring
- Active Washington LVT license, or ability to transfer an out-of-state license
- 6+ months of veterinary technician experience; completion of an AVMA-accredited vet tech program preferred
- Strong technical skills: IV and urinary catheters, venipuncture, safe animal restraint
- Team-oriented with excellent communication and the ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment
- A collaborative mindset and commitment to exceptional patient care
Perks & Benefits
Benefits for this role may include health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement benefits, paid time off (including sick leave and vacation), short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance
- Competitive compensation, including overnight and weekend shift differentials
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement savings options (401(k) with employer match)
- Continuing education support
- Paid time off and sick leave
- Staff pet discounts
Location Highlight
Vancouver, WA sits just across the river from Portland, OR, offering easy access to the amenities of a major metro area alongside a strong sense of local community. With the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood nearby, it's a great home base for outdoor recreation.
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.
Candidates can confidentially submit their CV to Talent Acquisition Partner Kira Wolff at kira.wolff@ethosvet.com
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.
Licensed Veterinary Technician - Emergency (Day)
$30–$40/hr + $4/hr Overnight Differential (6pm–6am) + $2/hr Weekend Differential (Sat–Sun)
Full-time opportunity in Vancouver, WA
Schedule: Day, 24/7 Emergency Hospital. Rotating holiday shifts and participation in the on-call rotation are required.
We're a busy 24/7 emergency and specialty veterinary hospital just outside Portland, OR, looking for a skilled LVT to join our overnight emergency team. If high-acuity cases and a fast-moving treatment floor are where you do your best work, this role is built for you.
Why Join Pacific Northwest Pet ER & Specialty Center
At Pacific Northwest Pet ER & Specialty Center, part of Ethos Veterinary Health, you'll work with advanced technology including MRI and CT, in a collaborative team environment with a genuine commitment to staff wellness. VTS mentorship opportunities are available for credentialed technicians, and our modern facility includes an employee garden and a real focus on staff wellness and mental health.
In your day-to-day, you will:
- Triage, stabilize, and monitor critical and emergency patients
- Place IV and urinary catheters, and perform venipuncture and fluid therapy
- Induce and monitor general anesthesia and sedation
- Run diagnostics, document in medical records, and support CPR
- Communicate treatment plans and updates to pet owners and the care team
- Discharge patients and provide thorough client education
- Work closely with veterinarians, technicians, and support teams
- Contribute to a positive, team-focused hospital culture
What You Bring
- Active Washington LVT license, or ability to transfer an out-of-state license
- 6+ months of veterinary technician experience; completion of an AVMA-accredited vet tech program preferred
- Strong technical skills: IV and urinary catheters, venipuncture, safe animal restraint
- Team-oriented with excellent communication and the ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment
- A collaborative mindset and commitment to exceptional patient care
Perks & Benefits
Benefits for this role may include health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement benefits, paid time off (including sick leave and vacation), short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance
- Competitive compensation, including overnight and weekend shift differentials
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement savings options (401(k) with employer match)
- Continuing education support
- Paid time off and sick leave
- Staff pet discounts
Location Highlight
Vancouver, WA sits just across the river from Portland, OR, offering easy access to the amenities of a major metro area alongside a strong sense of local community. With the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood nearby, it's a great home base for outdoor recreation.
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.
Candidates can confidentially submit their CV to Talent Acquisition Partner Kira Wolff at kira.wolff@ethosvet.com
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.
See all OPT Licensed Veterinary Technician Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Licensed Veterinary Technician
Verify your state license transfers
LVT licensing requirements vary by state. Before applying, confirm your credentials are recognized or transferable in your target state. Some states require additional exams or supervised hours, which can affect your start date and OPT timeline.
Apply to multi-location veterinary groups
Corporate veterinary groups like Banfield, VCA, and BluePearl operate across dozens of states and have dedicated HR teams familiar with work authorization. They're more likely to have processes in place for hiring OPT candidates than independent single-location clinics.
Lead with your license status upfront
Veterinary employers screen heavily on credentials. State your active LVT license and OPT work authorization clearly in your cover letter and resume summary. Removing ambiguity early keeps your application moving through hiring processes faster.
Target university veterinary teaching hospitals
Academic veterinary hospitals at institutions like UC Davis, Cornell, and Ohio State regularly hire LVTs and have experience with international staff. As institutions, they often have immigration compliance offices that make OPT hiring less intimidating for HR teams.
Emphasize specialization if you have it
Technicians with training in dentistry, anesthesia, emergency care, or exotic animals are in shorter supply. Highlighting a specialty area strengthens your application and can make employers more motivated to work through OPT paperwork to hire you.
Start your H-1B sponsorship conversation early
The H-1B lottery opens in March for an October start. If you want employer sponsorship before your OPT expires, raise the conversation within your first few months on the job, not the month before your authorization ends.
Licensed Veterinary Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Licensed Veterinary Technician jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
No. Veterinary Technology programs are classified under CIP code 51.0808 and are not on the STEM Designated Degree Program List maintained by ICE. That means LVTs on OPT are limited to the standard 12-month authorization window. If you want to continue working past that point, you'll need an employer willing to sponsor an H-1B or another visa category.
Can I work as an LVT on OPT without a state license?
In most states, no. Practicing as a Licensed Veterinary Technician without an active state license is illegal, regardless of your immigration status. You'll need to pass the VTNE and meet your target state's specific licensing requirements before starting work. Factor exam scheduling and processing time into your OPT start date planning, since you can't legally perform LVT duties while unlicensed.
What visa options exist after OPT expires for veterinary technicians?
The H-1B is the most common path, but it requires your employer to sponsor the petition and you to clear the annual lottery. If your employer is a university or nonprofit research institution, they may qualify as cap-exempt, which removes the lottery requirement. Some LVTs also explore the TN visa if they're Canadian or Mexican citizens, as veterinary technologist is a qualifying TN occupation.
Where can I find Licensed Veterinary Technician jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters job listings for positions where employers are open to work authorization. Rather than sifting through general job boards and manually checking each employer's sponsorship policy, Migrate Mate surfaces roles relevant to your OPT status directly. It's a practical starting point if you want to avoid wasting applications on employers who won't hire OPT candidates.
Does working part-time as an LVT on OPT affect my authorization?
OPT requires you to work at least 20 hours per week in a role directly related to your field of study to maintain valid status. Part-time work above that threshold is allowed and counts toward the requirement. Working fewer than 20 hours, or in an unrelated role, can trigger an unemployment period that counts against your 90-day unemployment limit and risks terminating your OPT authorization.