OPT Registered Veterinary Technician Jobs
Registered Veterinary Technician jobs on OPT are available at animal hospitals, specialty clinics, research institutions, and emergency veterinary centers. Most RVT roles qualify as specialty occupations under STEM-adjacent classifications, and your 12-month OPT period can extend to 36 months with a STEM extension if your degree qualifies.
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Get Access To All JobsPay Range: USD $37,910.00 - USD $66,050.00 /Yr.
Overview:
The College of Veterinary Medicine is seeking candidates for a Veterinary Technician – Equine Inpatient position. This position will provide patient care, including physical exams, medication administration (IV, IM, PO, SQ), constant patient monitoring and hygiene, for all patients admitted by equine emergency care, medicine, surgery and theriogenology and all in-house patients.
This technician will directly instruct senior veterinary students and student workers in the technical aspects of patient care. This position will also monitor the welfare of University-owned horses, including those enrolled in research projects. This position will provide assistance to clinicians with procedures and receiving of emergency cases.
This is a rotating overnight position: Weekdays: Monday – Thursday 9pm – 7am, and weekends: Friday – Sunday 7pm – 8am. Rotating holiday coverage as well as flexibility with scheduling will be necessary.
This position involves direct contact with animals susceptible to rabies. Employees in this role must complete a rabies pre-exposure vaccination series and maintain adequate rabies antibody titer (0.5 IU/mL) as recommended by CDC guidelines.
Auburn University will cover the cost of the rabies vaccination series, periodic titer checks, and any necessary boosters.
Learn more about VET MED and take a campus tour here: https://www.auburnvetmed.com/
Responsibilities:
Duties will include but are not limited to:
- Instruction of veterinary students in various aspects of equine patient exam, catheter placement, nasogastric intubation, and general horse handling.
- Assist clinicians, students, and residents with admission, patient restraint, and diagnostic procedures of equine cases admitted to the equine hospital.
- Provide direct patient care, including, but not limited to physical exams, medication administration, catheter placement, nasogastric intubation, obtaining blood, fecal and urine samples, and fluid therapy.
- Maintain floor stock and biosecurity of the hospital ICU, inpatient and outpatient barns, Isolation, main treatment areas, and procedural areas.
Qualifications:
Depending upon a combination of education and experience, the finalist selected for this position will be hired as a Veterinary Technician - Inpatient and assigned levels I, II, or III.
Level I: Requires an Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology or a related field that qualifies an individual to obtain certification.
Level II: Requires an Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology or a related field that qualifies an individual to obtain certification plus 2 years of experience working in a veterinary hospital environment.
Level III: Requires an Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology or a related field that qualifies an individual to obtain certification plus 4 years of experience working in a veterinary hospital environment.
Substitutions Allowed for Experience:
Degrees may be accepted in lieu of experience.
License and Certifications:
- Active license with the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medicine as a Veterinary Technician, OR
- Have met all requirements to become licensed in the State of Alabama. Licensure must be obtained within 6 months of hire date.
Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of processes, method, and procedures associated with veterinary medicine.
Why Work at Auburn:
- Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
- Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
- We’re Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
- Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
- A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.
- Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!
Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement: It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance's website to learn more.
Pay Range: USD $37,910.00 - USD $66,050.00 /Yr.
Overview:
The College of Veterinary Medicine is seeking candidates for a Veterinary Technician – Equine Inpatient position. This position will provide patient care, including physical exams, medication administration (IV, IM, PO, SQ), constant patient monitoring and hygiene, for all patients admitted by equine emergency care, medicine, surgery and theriogenology and all in-house patients.
This technician will directly instruct senior veterinary students and student workers in the technical aspects of patient care. This position will also monitor the welfare of University-owned horses, including those enrolled in research projects. This position will provide assistance to clinicians with procedures and receiving of emergency cases.
This is a rotating overnight position: Weekdays: Monday – Thursday 9pm – 7am, and weekends: Friday – Sunday 7pm – 8am. Rotating holiday coverage as well as flexibility with scheduling will be necessary.
This position involves direct contact with animals susceptible to rabies. Employees in this role must complete a rabies pre-exposure vaccination series and maintain adequate rabies antibody titer (0.5 IU/mL) as recommended by CDC guidelines.
Auburn University will cover the cost of the rabies vaccination series, periodic titer checks, and any necessary boosters.
Learn more about VET MED and take a campus tour here: https://www.auburnvetmed.com/
Responsibilities:
Duties will include but are not limited to:
- Instruction of veterinary students in various aspects of equine patient exam, catheter placement, nasogastric intubation, and general horse handling.
- Assist clinicians, students, and residents with admission, patient restraint, and diagnostic procedures of equine cases admitted to the equine hospital.
- Provide direct patient care, including, but not limited to physical exams, medication administration, catheter placement, nasogastric intubation, obtaining blood, fecal and urine samples, and fluid therapy.
- Maintain floor stock and biosecurity of the hospital ICU, inpatient and outpatient barns, Isolation, main treatment areas, and procedural areas.
Qualifications:
Depending upon a combination of education and experience, the finalist selected for this position will be hired as a Veterinary Technician - Inpatient and assigned levels I, II, or III.
Level I: Requires an Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology or a related field that qualifies an individual to obtain certification.
Level II: Requires an Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology or a related field that qualifies an individual to obtain certification plus 2 years of experience working in a veterinary hospital environment.
Level III: Requires an Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology or a related field that qualifies an individual to obtain certification plus 4 years of experience working in a veterinary hospital environment.
Substitutions Allowed for Experience:
Degrees may be accepted in lieu of experience.
License and Certifications:
- Active license with the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medicine as a Veterinary Technician, OR
- Have met all requirements to become licensed in the State of Alabama. Licensure must be obtained within 6 months of hire date.
Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of processes, method, and procedures associated with veterinary medicine.
Why Work at Auburn:
- Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
- Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
- We’re Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
- Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
- A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.
- Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!
Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement: It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance's website to learn more.
See all 263+ OPT Registered Veterinary Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Registered Veterinary Technician Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Registered Veterinary Technician
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Veterinary technology programs under CIP code 51.0808 are STEM-designated, which means you may qualify for a 24-month STEM extension. Verify your program's CIP code on your I-20 before applying to roles requiring longer authorization.
Target employers already familiar with OPT hiring
Large veterinary groups like VCA, Banfield, and BluePearl have dedicated HR teams experienced with work authorization. Smaller independent clinics may need guidance, so come prepared with a one-page OPT explainer to reduce hesitation.
Get your RVT or CVT license before you start applying
Most states require a Registered or Certified Veterinary Technician credential to practice. Having your state license in hand removes a major barrier for employers and signals you're ready to contribute without additional onboarding delays.
Emphasize clinical hours and species-specific experience
Employers hiring RVTs care about hands-on clinical hours, not just your degree. Quantify your externship experience, species you've worked with, and procedures you've performed. This differentiates you from candidates without practical veterinary setting exposure.
Address OPT early in the application process
Proactively mention your OPT status in your cover letter or initial outreach. Waiting until the interview creates friction. A brief, confident explanation of your authorization period and STEM extension eligibility prevents misunderstandings and builds trust upfront.
Track your OPT start date and unemployment limits carefully
F-1 OPT allows a maximum of 90 days of unemployment during the standard period. If you're between RVT positions, document your job search activity. Gaps at busy clinics are common, so plan transitions carefully to protect your status.
Registered Veterinary Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Registered Veterinary Technician jobs qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes, RVT roles qualify for OPT because they require a directly related degree in veterinary technology or animal science. Your employment must be in a position that is directly related to your major field of study, which clinical veterinary technician roles satisfy. Employers do not need to file any petition on your behalf during the OPT period.
Can I get a STEM OPT extension working as a Registered Veterinary Technician?
It depends on your degree's CIP code. Veterinary technology programs classified under CIP 51.0808 are STEM-designated, making you eligible for a 24-month extension beyond your initial 12 months. Check your I-20 to confirm your program's classification. If it qualifies, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a formal training plan.
Where can I find RVT jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists veterinary technician roles from employers open to hiring candidates on OPT and other nonimmigrant work authorization. Filtering by work authorization type saves you from applying to positions where your status will be an issue, which is one of the most common frustrations for F-1 students in the job search.
Do I need a state veterinary technician license to work on OPT?
In most states, yes. RVT, CVT, or LVT licensure is required to legally practice as a veterinary technician, separate from your OPT work authorization. Requirements vary by state, but most involve passing the VTNE exam and submitting proof of your degree. Starting the licensure process early prevents gaps between graduation and your first position.
What happens to my OPT if my RVT employer closes or terminates my role?
You have up to 90 days of total unemployment during your standard OPT period to find a new qualifying position. If you're on a STEM extension, that limit is 150 days cumulative. Report any employer changes to your DSO promptly and update your SEVP portal record within 10 days of starting a new role to maintain valid status.