Veterinary Technician III- Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center

Position Title:
Veterinary Technician III- Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center

Job Group:
Merit

Required Minimum Qualifications:
• Associate degree from an accredited school of Veterinary Technology, and • Registration, certification, or licensure in Veterinary Technology, and • Six 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 five 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.

Under the direction and supervision of a licensed Veterinarian, provides and oversees specialized nursing care for ill and injured animal patients or animals used in a research or hospital setting. Instructs and demonstrates veterinary care, animal husbandry, and technical skills to students, Veterinary Technician I and II. Provides assistance to fourth-year veterinary students, Veterinarians, and investigative staff in their treatment of animals, teaching, or research functions. Exercises control over the continual work product of others within assigned service. Position operates independently in performing the full scope of specialized care.  Provides mentorship and guidance to Veterinary Technician I and II.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists and has elevated responsibilities with the instruction and evaluation of veterinary and veterinary technology students, Veterinary Technician level I and II. In a clinical or classroom setting provides demonstrations of specialized 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-V and postoperative care.

• Responsible for providing specialized nursing care on ASA I-V patients which are considered to be healthy, have mild or severe systemic disease, including patients not expected to survive. 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 mechanical ventilation, Vapotherm, plasmapheresis and other specialized treatments. 

• Collects, analyzes, and processes samples for research, diagnostic, and clinical purposes.

• Monitors the patient’s condition and effectiveness of medications. 

• Performs specialized preparatory procedures on various animal species and assists staff members in surgical, medical and laboratory procedure preparation (such as adrenalectomy, ruptured bladder, septic abdomen, and chest tube thoracostomy, bone marrow aspiration, total hip replacement surgery etc.), including instrument and supply set up.

• Administers anesthesia and monitors patient response through the recovery period for ASA I-V patients; maintains and utilizes 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 enter 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.

• Creates drafts and evaluates 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

• Demonstrates independence in performance of advanced and specialized technical skills of assigned department safely and with a high degree of success without coaching or prompting in the majority of situations.

• 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 pharmacology - dosage, calculations, and usage.

• 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:
7603a

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:
R13931