Animal Care & Pet Services OPT Jobs in Virginia
Animal care & pet services F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Virginia draw students toward employers across the Northern Virginia suburbs, Richmond, and the Shenandoah Valley region. Research institutions, veterinary hospital groups, and zoological organizations in the state have established hiring patterns for OPT candidates in animal science, veterinary technology, and wildlife management roles.
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INTRODUCTION
Virginia Veterinary Centers in Short Pump, VA is hiring a full-time LVT to join our Internal Medicine team!
Day shift - $29-33/hour!
Why choose VVC? VVC recognizes the struggles of veterinary professionals. We have an onsite Veterinary Wellbeing Specialist to help guide our team members to a better and healthier professional career. The culture of our hospital is one of our top priorities, we spend a lot of time training new employees, and our management is present. Work life balance is a key component to our team members. Most team members are off 2 weekends a month.
We are committed to the professional development of our team members and provide opportunities for advancement. Experience is always a plus, but we are also willing to train and mentor new graduates. We recognize the importance of work/life balance and strive to provide a schedule conducive to maintaining a healthy work/life balance for all our employees.
GENERAL PURPOSE:
To provide dedicated support to the internist within the Internal Medicine Department, delivering exceptional care to patients and fostering strong relationships with clients. The LVT will play a critical role in patient care, anesthesia support, and client communication, ensuring empathetic and professional experience in every interaction.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Graduated from an AVMA Accredited LVT program and achieved Certification
- Passion for veterinary medicine, with a strong desire to learn and grow in skills and knowledge.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills, demonstrating empathy and understanding in all client interactions.
- Initiative and proactivity in identifying opportunities for improvement and suggesting new ideas to enhance patient care.
SHIFT DETAILS:
- 4-10-hour shifts per week (7am-5pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday – may be subject to change)
- 1 on-call weekend per month required (for ultrasounds and endoscopy procedures after initial training period, 8am-8pm)
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Obtain patient vitals and report any abnormalities to DVM.
- Collecting diagnostic samples, imaging, and non-laboratory diagnostics (BP, EKG, SPO2) for analysis while understanding normal parameter markers to help facilitate in next steps of diagnostic preparation and communication to Veterinarians.
- Facilitate proper procedure for collecting and submitting diagnostic samples to outside laboratories.
- Assist in placement and maintenance of intravenous catheters.
- Assist Veterinarians in all aspects during procedures from developing anesthetic protocol, administration of pre-medications and induction agents, intubation, surgical prep, maintenance and monitoring of general anesthesia, assist in surgical procedure as needed, recovery care of patients post anesthetic episodes, proper medical documentation of anesthesia monitoring, and understanding side effects of anesthetic agents being administered.
- Set up, assist with, and clean up after various procedures, including endoscopies, colonoscopies, bronchoscopies, etc. Demonstrate thorough knowledge of necessary materials and equipment required for each procedure to ensure optimal outcomes.
- Understanding and able to follow protocol when administering and documenting controlled substances administered to patients.
- Conduct appointments for both new and returning patients, understanding the nuances of each type of visit and ensuring a seamless process that enhances the patient and client experience.
- Practicing patient and empathetic client service skills when communicating with clients at all stages of their visit, such as when triaging, discharging, or providing medical updates on hospitalized patients.
- Properly discharge patients by filling all required medications, ensuring patients are clean and comfortable, removing intravenous catheters, approving final invoices, and reviewing discharges with pet owners.
- Understanding and able to perform proper medical record documentation in accordance with hospital policy and the board of veterinary medical standards.
- Conducting yourself in a professional manner each shift while providing continued support to your team members, patients, and clients.
- Following proper OSHA protocols and ensure OSHA related trainings are conducted by designated timelines to ensure a safe work environment for yourself and team members.
- Perform all other duties as assigned by leadership and direct supervisors while on shift.
COMPENSATION:
- Based on experience & skill set. Ranging from $29-33/hr.
BENEFITS:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
We are excited to announce Ethos Veterinary Health as our new name. Ethos is the new, industry-leading community of legacy Ethos Veterinary Health, Compassion-First Pet Hospitals, SAGE Veterinary Centers, and legacy NVA Specialty and Emergency hospitals. This powerful new community brings together a dynamic network of ~145 hospitals, an unmatched team of experts, cutting-edge technology, and an unwavering commitment to the advancement of the animal health profession and better patient outcomes.
Our commitments to the industry, the profession, our teammates, and our patients, will not change, and in fact will be stronger than ever, as we forge new ground as this new dynamic community.
Ethos Veterinary Health offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, a 401k with employer match, and paid time off (including sick time) for all eligible employees. The team can provide more information about compensation and benefits for your specific location during the process. For positions based in Colorado, Ethos Veterinary Health provides eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave and public health emergency leave in accordance with the requirements of Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.
Ethos Veterinary Health 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, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.
Animal Care & Pet Services Job Roles in Virginia
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Search Animal Care & Pet Services Jobs in VirginiaAnimal Care & Pet Services Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
Which animal care & pet services companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Virginia?
Virginia employers with documented OPT hiring in animal care include university-affiliated veterinary teaching hospitals, the Smithsonian's National Zoo conservation partnerships near the DC border, corporate veterinary groups with Northern Virginia clinics, and research organizations like the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Federal agencies in the state, including USDA units headquartered in the region, also hire OPT candidates for animal science and wildlife positions.
Which cities in Virginia have the most animal care & pet services F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Northern Virginia cities such as Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax see consistent demand for animal care OPT candidates, partly due to proximity to federal research agencies and large veterinary group practices. Richmond supports positions tied to companion animal services and animal welfare nonprofits. Blacksburg, home to Virginia Tech's veterinary college, is a strong market for students in veterinary technology, animal nutrition, and livestock management.
What types of animal care & pet services roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that commonly qualify for OPT in this industry include veterinary technician, animal research assistant, wildlife biologist, animal behaviorist, kennel and shelter operations coordinator, and pet services program manager. Positions that require a directly related degree field and involve professional-level duties tend to align best with OPT authorization. STEM-designated programs in animal science or biology may also qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension with eligible employers.
How do I find animal care & pet services F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Virginia?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students searching for OPT-eligible positions and filters animal care & pet services roles by visa type and location, making it straightforward to identify Virginia employers with active sponsorship history. You can browse verified listings, review employer OPT filing records, and narrow results to specific Virginia cities or sub-sectors like veterinary services, wildlife management, or companion animal care without sorting through listings that don't support OPT candidates.
Are there state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in Virginia animal care jobs?
Virginia requires veterinary technicians to pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination and meet state licensing requirements, which OPT candidates should address before or during employment. The state's large federal agency presence means some positions may carry citizenship or security-clearance requirements that exclude OPT holders. Nonprofit animal welfare organizations may have limited HR infrastructure for OPT paperwork, so confirming sponsorship capacity directly with the employer before applying is advisable.