2

Entry Level Animal Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Animal Care Technician

Nashville, TN · On-site

$15.25 - $20.50/hr

Utilizes technical animal husbandry skills with respect to the care and management of multiple and ... Provides guidance to entry level co-workers. Core Capabilities : Supporting Colleagues : Develops ...

Animal Care Technician

Nashville, TN

$15.25 - $20.50/hr

Utilizes technical animal husbandry skills with respect to the care and management of multiple and ... Provides guidance to entry level co-workers. Core Capabilities : Supporting Colleagues : Develops ...

Together, we support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and have helped find homes ... Recruit, hire, train, and supervise a team of entry-level trainees up to professional level ...

Together, we support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and have helped find homes ... Recruit, hire, train, and supervise a team of entry-level trainees up to professional level ...

Together, we support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and have helped find homes ... Recruit, hire, train, and supervise a team of entry-level trainees up to professional level ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Entry Level Animal information

What is an entry level animal?

An Entry Level Animal job typically involves working with animals in roles that require little to no prior experience. These jobs may include positions such as animal care technician, kennel assistant, or veterinary assistant. Responsibilities often include feeding, cleaning, monitoring animal health, and assisting with basic care. Many positions provide on-the-job training, making them a great starting point for those interested in animal-related careers.

What are some typical daily tasks for an entry level animal care technician?

Entry Level Animal Care Technicians are typically responsible for feeding and watering animals, cleaning enclosures, monitoring animal health, and assisting more experienced staff with treatments or medication. You may also be expected to keep detailed logs of animal behavior, report any health concerns, and help maintain a clean and safe environment. Most roles require collaboration with veterinarians, animal handlers, and other technicians. This hands-on work provides a solid foundation in animal husbandry and offers a gateway to more advanced positions within the animal care or veterinary field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the entry level animal position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Animal Care Technician, you need a basic understanding of animal handling, attention to detail, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with animal care protocols, record-keeping systems, and, in some settings, certification in animal care or laboratory safety, can be beneficial. Compassion, patience, and strong communication skills help you stand out when interacting with animals and supporting team members. These skills are critical for ensuring animals' well-being, maintaining safety standards, and working effectively as part of a care team.

How do I start to work with animals?

To start working with animals as an entry-level animal worker, gain experience through volunteering or internships at shelters, farms, or veterinary clinics. Developing skills in animal handling, basic care, and safety procedures, along with obtaining relevant certifications like pet first aid, can improve job prospects. Entry-level roles often require patience, physical stamina, and a genuine interest in animal welfare.

How to start a career with animals?

To start a career as an entry-level animal worker, gain relevant experience through volunteering or internships at shelters, farms, or veterinary clinics. Obtain basic certifications such as animal first aid or handling courses, and develop skills in animal care, patience, and communication. Entry-level positions often require a high school diploma and a genuine interest in working with animals.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animal jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Animal jobs in Tennessee are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Animal jobs in Tennessee look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Animal jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Entry Level Animal jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Entry Level Animal job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Animal job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, and 67% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Animal Care Technician

Nashville, TN • On-site


Vanderbilt Health
Health Care and Social Assistance • 10K+ employees

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 254 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

191st of 893 rated healthcare providers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students


$15.25 - $20.50/hr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 26 days ago


Job description

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt's mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.
Organization:
ACUP - DAC Operations Management
Job Summary:
Utilizes technical animal husbandry skills with respect to the care and management of multiple and/or specialized animal colonies, with occasional guidance. Demonstrates knowledge of compliance with existing regulations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Participates in the cleaning and maintenance of animal quarters.
• Provides routine care of research animals. Performs daily checks for animal health and welfare and ensures adequate supply levels in animal quarters.
• Monitors and reports on environmental room and housing conditions.
• Recognizes and reports clinical abnormalities and/or irregularities in lab animals. Learns the variations among laboratory animals and modes of disease control.
• Euthanizes all species according to established regulations.
• Maintains accurate and prompt records in accordance with outlined procedures. Report areas of noncompliance.
• Assists in training of staff in general procedures.
• Understands and complies with operating and regulatory requirements related to care of laboratory animals.
TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES
• Laboratory Animal Diseases (Fundamental Awareness): Knowledge of and experience with laboratory animal diseases, outbreaks, methods of spread, and methods of limiting disease.
• Animal Care Knowledge (Intermediate): Knowledgeable on the needs, treatment, and husbandry for different animal species. Able to ensure their welfare, nutrition, and safety.
• Judgement and Decision-Making (Novice): Able to make decisions effectively and accurately in an environment which may be fast-paced or changing. Considers a wide range of alternatives, including those which may fall outside of the scope of the task at hand, before making a decision.
• Regulatory Compliance (Novice): Demonstrates knowledge of the appropriate rules and regulations and apply them in difficult, stressful and complex situations. Able to interpret and explain rules and regulations that are ambiguous or unclear. Directs others in interpreting rules and regulations on the job and trains others in them.
• Planning (Novice): Plans work to complete projects on time. Competently handles multiple assignments simultaneously. Able to be flexible to meet changing customer needs with minimal disruption and loss of productivity. Uses time efficiently.
• Customer Service (Intermediate): A continuing focus on the needs and requirements of customers, anticipating their needs, remaining sensitive to customers while performing services for them, responsive to customer needs.
• Communication (Intermediate): Clearly, effectively and respectfully communicates to employees or customers.
Our Academic Enterprise is one of the nation's longest serving and most prestigious academic medical centers. Through its historic bond with Vanderbilt University and integral role in the School of Medicine, Vanderbilt Health cultivates distinguished research and educational programs to advance a clinical enterprise that provides compassionate and personalized care and support for millions of patients and family members each year.
World-leading academic departments and comprehensive centers of excellence pursue scientific discoveries and transformational educational and clinical advances across the entire spectrum of health and disease.
Aligning with Vanderbilt Health's Strategic Directions, the Office of Research provides shared research resources, administrative expertise and professional guidance to enable the trans-disciplinary environment and highly collaborative culture that advances discovery and training for all the research faculty, trainees, students and staff.
Core Accountabilities:
* Organizational Impact: Performs tasks that are typically routine that may impact team's performance with occasional guidance. * Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Utilizes some discretion and research to solve routine problems. * Breadth of Knowledge: Applies knowledge of standards, established processes and procedure that apply to your own job. * Team Interaction: Provides guidance to entry level co-workers.
Core Capabilities :
Supporting Colleagues : Develops Self and Others: Continuously improves own skills by identifying development opportunities.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Seeks to understand colleagues' priorities, working styles and develops relationships across areas.- Communicates Effectively: Openly shares information with others and communicates in a clear and courteous manner. Delivering Excellent Services: - Serves Others with Compassion: Invests time to understand the problems, needs of others and how to provide excellent service.- Solves Complex Problems: Seeks to understand issues, solves routine problems, and raises proper concerns in a timely manner. - Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Listens carefully to understand the issues and provides accurate information and support. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Checks work quality before delivery and asks relevant questions to meet quality standards. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Demonstrates basic knowledge of conditions that affect safety and reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate person or department. Managing Resources Effectively : - Demonstrates Accountability: Takes responsibility for completing assigned activities and thinks beyond standard approaches to provide high-quality work/service. - Stewards Organizational Resources: Displays understanding of how personal actions will impact departmental resources. - Makes Data Driven Decisions: Uses accurate information and good decision making to consistently achieve results on time and without error. Fostering Innovation : - Generates New Ideas: Willingly proposes/accepts ideas or initiatives that will impact day-to-day operations by offering suggestions to enhance them. - Applies Technology: Absorbs new technology quickly; understands when to utilize the appropriate tools and procedures to ensure proper course of action. - Adapts to Change: Embraces changes by keeping an open mind to changing plans and incorporates change instructions into own area of work.
Position Qualifications:
Responsibilities:
Certifications :
Work Experience :
Relevant Work Experience
Experience Level :
Less than 1 year
Education :
High School Diploma or GED (Required)
This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.
Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.


What Vanderbilt University Medical Center employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom