New Graduate Veterinary Technicians/Nurses

New Graduate Veterinary Technicians/Nurses

This role is responsible for all aspects of patient care in the large animal hospital, including performing treatments, basic procedures, emergency management, and teaching.

A Day in the Life: A New Veterinary Technician at Ryan Hospital

It's your first week at Penn Vet's Ryan Hospital, and your nerves are real-but so is the excitement. You've just graduated from tech school, passed the VTNE, and now you're standing in the middle of one of the busiest veterinary teaching hospitals in the country.

Your shift starts at 7:00 AM. You grab a cup of coffee and meet up with your assigned mentor, a mid-career veterinary technician who remembers exactly what it was like to be in your shoes. You head to rounds together and start reviewing the caseload for the day.

You help place IV catheters, prep medications, monitor vitals, and observe as a senior tech calmly walks through RECOVER protocols during an emergency. You're not just watching-you're learning by doing, building confidence with each skill.

A little later, you assist with patient treatments. You carefully check fluid lines and administer medications, asking questions and getting real-time feedback from your team. A student asks for help with restraint, and you're able to step in. You're starting to feel like you belong here.

By lunch, you're grabbing a bite with your coworkers. You talk about the incredible variety of cases you've already seen-parvo puppies, trauma patients, a diabetic cat in crisis. This isn't your typical GP caseload you've been accustomed to, but you know this is exactly where you're supposed to be.

Your mentor checks in mid-afternoon to go over your training goals. You're surprised how much you've already done-and how supported you feel. There's a clear path forward, with options to rotate through departments, get CE credits, and even pursue VTS certification if that's where your passion leads.

At the end of your shift, you're tired-but proud. You've made a difference. You've learned from the best. And you know that tomorrow, you'll grow even more. This isn't just a job. It's a launch pad for your veterinary nursing career.

Why Start Your Career at Ryan Hospital?

• Mentorship & onboarding designed for new graduates
• Access to specialty services, including Emergency, ICU, Surgery, Neurology, Anesthesia, and Internal Medicine
• Exposure to a wide range of cases and procedures-over 34,000 visits per year
• Supportive, inclusive team culture where questions are encouraged and growth is expected
• Professional development, CE reimbursement, and career planning resources
• Pathways toward Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS) certification
• Work-life balance with flexible scheduling, generous PTO, and health benefits
• The opportunity of working at a top-tier academic veterinary hospital

What You Need to Apply

• Recent graduate of an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology program
• Eligible for Pennsylvania veterinary technician licensure
• Curiosity, compassion, and a drive to grow in a fast-paced, teaching-focused environment

Apply now or reach out with questions: Amy Shields, TAS, shieldsa@upenn.edu

Penn Vet is You. Let's grow together.