174 Best Full-time Animal Care Jobs in Clifton, New Jersey (August 2026)

Certified Veterinary Technician - Companion Animal Rehabilitation

27 days ago

Caldwell

Job Description Use Your Veterinary Skills to Help Pets Move Better, Recover Stronger, and Live More ComfortablyAre you a Certified Veterinary Technician looking for a more specialized, hands-on, and rewarding career path? At Alpha Animal Rehabilitation & Fitness, we are seeking a compassionate, motivated, and highly skilled Certified Veterinary Technician to join our growing rehabilitation team. Our practice specializes in canine and feline orthopedic rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation, post-operative recovery, senior mobility, pain management, conditioning, and fitness. This position offers the opportunity to combine your veterinary knowledge, patient-handling experience, and technical skills with advanced rehabilitation techniques that directly improve mobility and quality of life. You will work closely with Certified Companion Animal Rehabilitation Therapists and support patients throughout every stage of recovery—from their first assisted steps after surgery to returning to the activities they love. About the PositionThe Certified Veterinary Technician will play an important role in both clinical rehabilitation and patient support. Your veterinary background will allow you to assist with more advanced patient care, recognize changes in patient status, communicate effectively with pet parents and referring veterinarians, and help ensure that every rehabilitation session is safe, organized, and productive. Previous rehabilitation experience is preferred but not required. Comprehensive training will be provided to the right candidate. Key ResponsibilitiesRehabilitation Patient Care • Assist rehabilitation therapists during evaluations and treatment sessions., • Safely handle and position canine and feline patients of all sizes and mobility levels., • Assist with orthopedic, neurological, post-operative, geriatric, and chronic pain cases., • Perform therapeutic exercises under the direction of the rehabilitation therapist., • Assist with gait training, balance activities, proprioceptive exercises, strengthening, and functional mobility., • Support neurological patients during assisted standing, transfers, weight shifting, and locomotor training., • Monitor patients for pain, fatigue, stress, respiratory changes, weakness, or changes in neurological status., • Communicate relevant clinical observations to the rehabilitation therapist., • Help modify the treatment environment to support patient safety and confidence. Hydrotherapy • Assist patients entering and exiting the underwater treadmill., • Apply and adjust harnesses, slings, flotation devices, and mobility supports., • Monitor gait quality, posture, endurance, respiratory effort, and patient comfort during hydrotherapy., • Assist with water depth, speed, duration, and positioning under therapist direction., • Clean, sanitize, and prepare hydrotherapy equipment between patients., • Help maintain proper water quality and complete required maintenance logs. Therapeutic Modalities Receive training and assist with the preparation or application of rehabilitation modalities, including: • Therapeutic laser, • Focused shockwave therapy, • Neuromuscular electrical stimulation, • TENS, • PEMF therapy, • Cryotherapy and thermotherapy, • Therapeutic ultrasound, when applicable, • Compression and recovery equipment, • Bracing, orthotics, prosthetics, and mobility devices Modalities will be performed only within the employee’s training, scope, and established clinic protocols. Therapeutic Exercise and Neuromuscular Re-Education • Assist with therapeutic exercise setup and execution., • Guide patients through strengthening, balance, flexibility, endurance, and coordination activities., • Use rehabilitation equipment such as cavaletti rails, cones, platforms, balance discs, peanut balls, wedges, and stability equipment., • Assist with exercise progression based on therapist recommendations., • Observe movement quality, compensations, fatigue, and patient tolerance., • Help keep patients engaged through positive reinforcement and low-stress handling techniques. Clinical and Veterinary Support • Obtain and document patient weight, vital signs, pain observations, and other relevant information when requested., • Review available medical records, surgical history, precautions, and referring veterinarian recommendations., • Recognize changes that may require therapist or veterinarian attention., • Assist with wound observations, bandage awareness, and incision monitoring when appropriate., • Maintain accurate treatment notes and patient documentation., • Communicate professionally with referring veterinary teams when directed., • Support emergency preparedness and follow established patient safety protocols., • Assist with medication-history verification and general veterinary intake information. This position does not involve independent diagnosis, treatment-plan development, or prescribing. Client Communication and Education • Welcome clients and help them feel comfortable throughout the rehabilitation process., • Explain rehabilitation activities in clear, supportive language., • Demonstrate home exercises under therapist direction., • Reinforce safe mobility, transfer, and handling techniques., • Review home exercise instructions and equipment use., • Communicate patient progress and concerns to the supervising therapist., • Provide compassionate support to families managing surgery, neurological injury, chronic pain, or age-related decline., • Help pet parents understand the importance of consistency, safety, and gradual progression. Facility and Team Responsibilities • Prepare treatment areas before each appointment., • Reset treatment spaces between patients., • Clean and disinfect rehabilitation equipment., • Assist with opening, lunch, and closing responsibilities., • Maintain supplies and notify leadership when inventory is low., • Support efficient patient flow throughout the clinic., • Participate in team meetings, staff education, and clinical training., • Help maintain a safe, organized, and professional environment., • Collaborate with therapists, assistants, client care coordinators, veterinarians, and referral partners. Required Qualifications • Current Certified Veterinary Technician, Licensed Veterinary Technician, or Registered Veterinary Technician credential, as applicable., • Graduate of an accredited veterinary technology program., • Strong animal-handling and patient-restraint skills., • Understanding of canine and feline anatomy, medical terminology, and common disease processes., • Ability to recognize pain, stress, fatigue, and changes in patient condition., • Excellent communication and client-service skills., • Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment., • Strong attention to detail and commitment to patient safety., • Dependable attendance and punctuality., • Willingness to learn rehabilitation-specific techniques and protocols. Preferred ExperienceExperience in any of the following is beneficial: • Veterinary rehabilitation, • Neurology, • Orthopedic surgery, • Emergency or specialty medicine, • General veterinary practice, • Post-operative patient care, • Senior or hospice care, • Pain management, • Sports medicine, • Hydrotherapy, • Low-stress handling or Fear Free practices, • Canine fitness or conditioning, • Bracing, orthotics, prosthetics, or mobility devices Who Will Thrive in This Role?The ideal candidate is: • Compassionate and patient with animals and their families., • Passionate about mobility, rehabilitation, and quality-of-life care., • Comfortable working with medically complex or mobility-impaired patients., • Calm, observant, and safety-focused., • Physically active and willing to work on the treatment floor., • Confident handling dogs of different sizes, breeds, and temperaments., • Able to balance technical precision with warmth and empathy., • Motivated to continue learning., • Receptive to coaching and feedback., • Organized and able to manage multiple responsibilities., • A reliable team member who understands that patient flow depends on communication and preparation. Physical RequirementsThis is an active, hands-on clinical position. Candidates must be able to: • Stand and walk for extended periods., • Frequently bend, kneel, squat, reach, and move between floor and standing positions., • Assist with lifting, supporting, or transferring patients when safe and appropriate., • Work in and around water during hydrotherapy sessions., • Safely manage patients with weakness, paralysis, pain, balance deficits, or behavioral concerns., • Use mobility supports, harnesses, slings, carts, and rehabilitation equipment., • Perform repetitive cleaning, setup, and equipment-reset tasks throughout the day. Reasonable accommodations may be considered where appropriate. Professional Development OpportunitiesAt Alpha Animal Rehabilitation & Fitness, we believe in investing in team members who are committed to growing within the field. Professional development may include: • Mentorship from Certified Companion Animal Rehabilitation Therapists., • Structured training in orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation., • Education in therapeutic exercise and neuromuscular re-education., • Training in hydrotherapy and rehabilitation modalities., • Exposure to advanced mobility equipment, braces, prosthetics, and carts., • Internal clinical workshops and case discussions., • Support for continuing education in companion animal rehabilitation., • Opportunities for increased clinical responsibility as skills and competency develop., • Potential growth into a senior rehabilitation technician or leadership position. Why Join Alpha Animal Rehabilitation & Fitness?At Alpha, we are building more than a veterinary rehabilitation practice. We are creating a specialized environment where pets and their families receive compassionate, evidence-informed, and highly individualized care. You may help: • A dog walk again after a spinal cord injury., • A post-operative patient safely regain strength., • A senior pet remain mobile and independent., • A neurological patient learn to stand., • An injured athlete return to activity., • A family enjoy more meaningful time with their pet. Our team values: • Compassionate patient care, • Clinical excellence, • Teamwork, • Innovation, • Professional growth, • Dependability, • Clear communication, • Exceptional client experiences, • Continuous improvement Every session has the potential to change a pet’s life. Position DetailsPosition: Certified Veterinary Technician – Companion Animal Rehabilitation Employment: Full-Time Location: Alpha Animal Rehabilitation & Fitness Fairfield, New Jersey Availability during Alpha’s regular weekday operating hours is required. Occasional community, training, or educational events may also be available. How to ApplyPlease submit: • Your resume, • A brief cover letter explaining your interest in companion animal rehabilitation, • Your veterinary technician credential and current status, • Any relevant experience in rehabilitation, neurology, orthopedics, surgery, specialty medicine, hydrotherapy, pain management, or mobility care Join Alpha Animal Rehabilitation & Fitness and use your veterinary expertise to help pets move better, recover stronger, and enjoy a higher quality of life.

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