Veterinary Technician II

Position Title:
Veterinary Technician II

Job Group:
Merit

Required Minimum Qualifications:
• Associate degree from an accredited school of Veterinary Technology • Registration, certification, or licensure in Veterinary Technology • Three years’ experience with the care and treatment of animals in a veterinary teaching hospital, specialty and referral practice, laboratory animal medicine, or research enterprise, OR •Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology or related field with a minimum of two years’ experience with the care and treatment of animals in a veterinary teaching hospital or specialty and referral practice.

Preferred Qualifications:

Job Description:

Are you a vet technician ready to grow your career, working alongside the best in diagnosis and treatment, as well as research and education?  Are you compassionate with the commitment to learn in a comprehensive environment?  If you are saying yes, take your step forward and join us at Iowa State University’s Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center.

As a veterinary technician, you will also support and contribute to the education of 4th-year veterinary students, under the guidance of our expert veterinary clinicians. You won’t be able to do this work like this anywhere else in Iowa!

The LVMC provides specialized care and comprehensive medical and surgical services for companion and large animals throughout Iowa and surrounding states. Our clinicians, residents and interns, technicians, staff, and senior veterinary students work in teams to provide 24-hour, state-of-the-art care to animal patients.  We take great pride in shaping the future of veterinary professional practice, education, research, and service, as well as our people, clients, and patients.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists with the instruction and evaluation of veterinary and veterinary technology students and Veterinary Technician level I. In a clinical or classroom setting provides demonstrations of advanced skill level in areas such as proper medical record keeping, animal restraint, phlebotomy, intravenous and urinary catheterization, fluid therapy, aseptic technique, anesthetic monitoring of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification system, level I-III and postoperative care.

• Responsible for providing advanced nursing care on ASA I-III patients which are considered to be healthy, have mild, or severe systemic disease that is a consistent threat to life. Nursing care to include but not limited to: placing and maintaining intravenous, urinary, and arterial catheters, central lines, nasogastric tubes, and nasal oxygen; administering fluids and medications orally, parenterally, and enterally; utilizing blood products; performing arterial sampling, tracheostomy care, and other advanced treatments. 

• Collects, analyzes, and processes samples for research, diagnostic, and clinical purposes. Monitors the patient’s condition and effectiveness of medications. 

• Performs advanced preparatory procedures on various animal species and assists staff members in surgical, medical and laboratory procedure preparation (such as phacoemulsification, endoscopy, blood cultures, pericardiocentesis, and arthrocentesis etc.), including instrument and supply set up.

• Administers anesthesia and monitors patient response through the recovery period for ASA I-III patients; maintains anesthetic and mechanical monitoring equipment. 

• Maintains orderly and sanitary work areas for clinical, teaching, and research facilities.

• Monitors effectiveness of autoclaves.

• Stocks and organizes patient exam rooms, treatment areas, holding areas and operating rooms.

• May determine and enters hospital charges and medical records into the computer to create accurate records for billing accounts and evaluate charges to ensure hospital costs are accurately captured.

• Responsible for set up, inventory, maintenance, security, and repairs for equipment and instruments used in surgical procedures, emergencies and/or lab sessions. Monitors the effectiveness of environmental sanitation programs. Monitors and reports aberrations in environmental systems as they relate to animal and public health.

• Assists in drafting and evaluation of reports of institutional programs (i.e., postoperative care, anesthesia monitoring, facility maintenance, etc.).

• Utilizes ultrasound machines and x-rays, assist with MRI, or other related imaging equipment for patient diagnostics

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to perform advanced technical skills reflective of department.

• Knowledge of animal health and welfare - animal isolation, sample collection, medical treatment, nursing and monitoring, pre & post-surgical requirements including room and supply preparation.

• Knowledge of animal husbandry - animal feeding, watering, grooming, handling, safe transporting, and environmental requirements.

• Knowledge of record maintenance - collecting and recording data.

• Knowledge of trimming, clipping, or grooming animals.

• Knowledge of teaching and/or demonstration of safe animal handling.

• Knowledge of regulatory requirements (Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service, etc.).

• Ability to handle, restrain, move, load, and unload animals.

• Ability to administer medication - topical, injectable, oral, and rectal.

• Ability to check and interpret vital signs.

• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 70 pounds.

• Ability to instruct and demonstrate veterinary techniques in handling, grooming and nursing animals.

• Ability to interact in a professional capacity.

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

• Ability to prioritize daily tasks.

• Ability to work in high stress environments.

• Knowledge of computers, computerized medical record systems, and word processing software, such as Microsoft Word and Excel.

Appointment Type:
Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work Period

Time Type:
Full time

Pay Grade:
7602a

Application Instructions:
Application Instructions
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Why Choose ISU?
Iowa State University is committed to fostering a workplace of belonging, where diversity is celebrated and equity is a core value. Our Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program
• This job may also be eligible for flexible work schedules and flexible workplace options that may include flexible working hours and a hybrid working environment.

Original Posting Date:
January 31, 2024

Posting Close Date:

Job Requisition Number:
R13932