Primary Care Vet Technician - AZ - College of Veterinary Medicine

Midwestern University • Glendale, AZ

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Primary Care (GP) Veterinary Technician supports the Companion Animal Clinic of the Animal Health Institute by providing high-quality, patient-focused care in a general practice setting. This role includes assisting veterinarians and students with outpatient appointments, diagnostics, minor procedures, client communication, and student teaching. The ideal candidate demonstrates clinical competency, adaptability, compassion, and a strong commitment to education in a teaching hospital environment. Technicians are placed into a Level I, II, and III role based on demonstrated clinical competency, experience, leadership, and teaching proficiency. Advancement through levels reflects increased autonomy, technical mastery, case management responsibility, and contribution to student education and hospital operations.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Proficiency in general veterinary nursing and outpatient clinical procedures.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with clients and students.
• Dedication to team-based care, client service, and patient well-being.
• Willing to work flexible hours, including evenings or weekends as needed.
• Ability to adapt in a dynamic teaching environment.
• Understand the scope of general practice veterinary services and common small animal conditions.
• Be reasonably familiar with breeds and coat colors.
• Follow OSHA standards.
• Be able to find Material Safety Data Sheets quickly.
• Know and use standard medical and business abbreviations.
• Use proper medical terminology and spelling when speaking and writing.
• Be familiar with infectious diseases, including their prevention and steps to reduce or eliminate transmission.
• Know the most common zoonotic diseases (infections from animals to humans).
• Ability to learn veterinary practice information management software.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Must be able to stand for long periods and lift animals or equipment up to 40 pounds without assistance.
• Assist in lifting or moving heavier animals with team support.
• No inhibiting allergies to animals, hay, or dust.

Nice To Haves

• CVT preferred (Level I)
• 1-2 years of clinical experience in general practice or small animal medicine (Level I)
• CVT preferred (Level II)
• Minimum 2-4 years of progressive clinical experience (Level II)
• Demonstrates competency in anesthesia, dentistry, and outpatient case management (Level II)
• CVT strongly preferred (Level III)
• 5+ years of progressive clinical experience (Level III)
• Demonstrated advanced anesthesia proficiency and leadership capability (Level III)

Responsibilities

• Assist students and veterinarians with physical exams, diagnostics, treatments, and procedures during outpatient appointments.
• Collect and process diagnostic samples (blood, urine, feces, cytology, etc.).
• Administer medications and help students with vaccinations and treatments as needed.
• Help ensure students obtain patient histories and communicate with clients in a timely manner.
• Monitor students’ timeliness with patient records and ensure compliance with hospital protocols.
• Perform and teach radiography, bandage changes, and basic nursing care to students.
• Perform dental prophylaxis to include radiography, anesthesia monitoring, and patient recovery.
• Support students with patient discharge and client education.
• Maintain inventory and cleanliness of exam rooms, treatment areas, and supplies.
• Help veterinarians train and mentor veterinary students in general practice skills, time-management, and professional communication.
• Coordinate referrals to specialty services such as Internal Medicine, Surgery, or other services.
• Performs routine outpatient technical skills with supervision (restraint, venipuncture, catheter placement, and sample collection).
• Assists with basic anesthesia monitoring.
• Performs routine dental prophylaxis with oversight.
• Demonstrates developing proficiency in radiography and lab processing.
• Builds foundational teaching skills while assisting students.
• Performs routine outpatient technical skills without supervision.
• Independently performs anesthesia induction, monitoring, and recovery for routine cases.
• Demonstrates proficiency in dental radiography and advanced dental procedures.
• Maintains outpatient workflow efficiency and assists in case coordination.
• Guides students through procedures with moderate autonomy.
• Recognizes anesthetic complications and initiates appropriate interventions.
• Assist in training and mentoring Level 1 technicians.
• Contributes to improving workflow and operational efficiency.
• Manage complex procedures or higher-risk anesthesia cases independently.
• Serves as a clinical resource for anesthesia, dentistry, nursing care, and outpatient procedures.
• Provides high-level student instruction in technical skills and professional communication.
• Assists with onboarding, training, mentoring and competency validation of technicians.
• Identifies process improvement opportunities and participates in protocol development.
• Acts as liaison between faculty, students, and support staff when needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• medical insurance
• dental insurance
• vision insurance
• life insurance
• short/long term disability
• pet insurance
• flexible spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care account
• competitive time off package including paid holidays, sick/flex days, personal days and vacation days
• 403(b) retirement plan
• tuition reimbursement
• child care subsidy reimbursement program
• identity theft protection
• employee assistance program
• wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED