Orthopedic Surgery Veterinary Technician II or III

Colorado State University • Fort Collins, CO

5d

About The Position

The Orthopedic Surgery Service seeks an experienced Veterinary Technician II or III to provide technical leadership and support the service’s daily clinical and surgical operations. The role coordinates patient care and workflow, supports orthopedic procedures, mentors and guides veterinary technicians and students, and helps ensure the team has the resources and expertise needed to provide high-quality patient care. It serves as a link among the veterinary team, technical staff, students, and other hospital services.

Veterinary Technician II provides independent patient care and technical support, including clinical procedures, diagnostics, treatments, monitoring, and perioperative care for orthopedic patients. The role supports orthopedic surgery, maintains equipment and supplies, contributes to daily workflows and documentation, and guides students, trainees, and less experienced staff within assigned responsibilities.

Veterinary Technician III provides advanced care and technical expertise for complex patients and serves as a clinical resource. In addition to supporting orthopedic procedures, the role leads communication and collaboration, coordinates clinical operations and workflow, supports operational planning and departmental initiatives, and provides day-to-day technical leadership for the Orthopedic Surgery team. If hired at Level III, the position supervises Veterinary Technician II and hourly employees; Level II has no supervisory responsibilities.

The position is designated as an essential service and requires reporting without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services. A pre-employment criminal background check is required for new hires. The position is eligible for shift differential pay for qualifying scheduled hours. A signing bonus and/or relocation expenses may be available for eligible and successful candidates.

Requirements

• Veterinary Technician II: Current Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) certification recognized in Colorado, or ability to acquire certification at the time of hire.
• Veterinary Technician II: At least 2 years of working experience in veterinary medicine.
• Veterinary Technician III: Current Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) certification recognized in Colorado, or ability to acquire certification at the time of hire.
• Veterinary Technician III: At least 3 years of working experience in veterinary medicine.
• Applicants using the RVT or Veterinary Technician titles in Colorado must meet the stated Colorado Veterinary Practice Act certification and registration requirements.
• Submit a cover letter addressing how professional experience aligns with required and preferred qualifications, and a current resume; combine both into one document for upload.
• Complete a pre-employment criminal background check if hired.
• As an essential services employee, report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to independently prioritize and coordinate patient care and daily workflow in a fast-paced clinical environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively with veterinarians, technicians, students, clients, and other hospital personnel.
• Demonstrated knowledge and proficiency in patient care, anesthesia, surgical preparation, and safe animal handling.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient care and technical support, including clinical procedures, diagnostics, treatments, and monitoring, using sound clinical judgment within established protocols.
• Provide safe nursing and technical care for orthopedic patients throughout the perioperative period, including pain management, mobility support, and recognition and communication of changes in patient status.
• Support orthopedic surgical procedures through patient preparation and positioning, surgical site preparation, equipment and instrumentation preparation, intraoperative assistance, and postoperative care.
• Collaborate with veterinarians, technicians, students, clients, and interdisciplinary teams to coordinate patient care.
• Guide, mentor, and instruct students, trainees, and less experienced staff within the scope of assigned responsibilities.
• Support daily clinical workflows, maintain accurate documentation, prepare and maintain equipment and supplies, and contribute to problem solving and continuous improvement.
• Prepare, maintain, and appropriately use orthopedic equipment, instrumentation, supplies, and clinical spaces.
• Maintain technical competencies, participate in quality improvement initiatives, support protocol compliance and best practices, and perform other assigned duties.
• For Level III, provide advanced clinical expertise for complex patients and serve as a resource for specialized procedures, patient management, and problem solving.
• For Level III, lead communication and collaboration among clinical teams and mentor technicians; supervise assigned personnel when applicable.
• For Level III, coordinate clinical operations, improve workflows, manage resources, support departmental initiatives, and assist with operational planning.
• For Level III, provide day-to-day technical leadership by coordinating assignments, supporting workflow, troubleshooting clinical challenges, and ensuring resources are available.
• For Level III, oversee readiness and appropriate use of specialized orthopedic equipment, instrumentation, supplies, and clinical spaces.
• Report without delay or interruption when needed to provide essential or emergency services.

Benefits

• Shift differential pay for qualifying hours: 20% of hourly rate for hours worked Friday 4 p.m. through Monday 6 a.m.; 14% for hours worked Monday–Thursday 11 p.m. through 6 a.m.; and 7.5% for hours worked Monday–Thursday 4 p.m. through 11 p.m.
• A signing bonus and/or relocation expenses may be available for eligible and successful candidates.
• The employer describes a robust benefits package and directs applicants to its benefits information; specific benefit offerings are not listed in the posting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed