Registered Veterinary Technician I, II, or III for Emergency (ER) & Critical Care Unit (CCU)

Colorado State University • Fort Collins, CO

15d • Onsite

About The Position

Veterinary Technicians in Emergency and Critical Care provide advanced technical clinical care to small animal and exotic patients in urgent, critical, and intermediate care settings within a teaching hospital. This role supports emergency procedures, anesthesia, patient monitoring, and life-saving interventions while contributing to clinical instruction for veterinary students, interns, and residents, ensuring high-quality patient care and accurate medical record management in a 24/7 environment. Positions are recruited at the Veterinary Technician I, II, and III levels, with increasing responsibility, experience, and clinical complexity expected at each level. Work is performed across rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to meet the continuous care needs of the service. This is an open pool posting. Applications will be reviewed as hiring needs arise, and qualified applicants will be contacted if a suitable opportunity becomes available. Full Consideration Date: This posting will remain open and continue collecting applications until June 30, 2026. Applicants who wish to be considered after this date must reapply. Signing Bonus: A signing bonus and/or moving expenses may be considered for eligible and successful candidates. Brief Work Unit Description: The mission of the CSU VHS Hospitals, the pinnacle of Veterinary Medicine and Education, is to ensure the advancement of patient welfare through a vital system distinguished by personal excellence; compassionate care; exemplary education; collaborative & transformative research; and mutual trust with our community.

Requirements

• Pre-employment criminal background check (required for new hires)
• Essential Services Designation: This position is designated as essential to hospital operations and patient care. Employees must be willing and able to report to work as scheduled, including during inclement weather, holidays, and emergency situations, to ensure uninterrupted care for patients.
• Credentialed in the State of Colorado or other eligible state determined by CACVT.
• NOTE: VETERINARY PRACTICE ACT – Effective January 1, 2024, anyone wanting to use the titles Registered Veterinary Technician, Veterinary Technician, RVT, or VT will have to be certified through the Colorado Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians (CACVT) AND registered through the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). Please visit the CACVT website for more information: https://www.cacvt.org/registration-faqs.
• Veterinary Technician I: An associate degree from an accredited college or university in veterinary/animal health technology AND one year of experience assisting in animal medicinal care, administering anesthesia to animals and/or performing veterinary surgery.
• Vet Tech I substitutions: Two years of experience as defined by the department will substitute for each year of required education. A bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in veterinary/animal health technology will substitute for the associate degree and, at the agency’s discretion, the year of experience.
• Veterinary Technician II: An associate degree from an accredited college or university in veterinary/animal health technology AND two years of experience assisting in animal medicinal care, administering anesthesia to animals and/or performing veterinary surgery.
• Vet Tech II substitutions: Two years of experience as defined by the department will substitute for each year of required education. A bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in veterinary/animal health technology will substitute for the associate degree and, at the agency’s discretion, the two years of experience.
• Veterinary Technician III: An associate degree from an accredited college or university in veterinary/animal health technology AND three years of experience assisting in animal medicinal care, administering anesthesia to animals and/or performing veterinary surgery.
• Vet Tech III substitutions: Two years of experience as defined by the department will substitute for each year of required education. A bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in veterinary/animal health technology will substitute for the associate degree and, at the agency’s discretion, the three years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform rapid triage and initiate life-saving interventions for emergent and critical patients, including CPR, oxygen therapy, and placement of IV/IO access to support immediate treatment.
• Provide continuous critical care by monitoring advanced parameters (ECG, blood pressure, capnography, ventilators, infusion pumps), recognizing subtle changes in patient status, and intervening promptly.
• Administer and manage anesthesia and procedural sedation for emergency surgeries and diagnostic procedures, including induction, airway management, anesthetic monitoring, and complex recoveries.
• Implement isolation and biosecurity protocols by managing PPE use, barrier nursing techniques, infectious disease workflows, and decontamination procedures to protect patients, staff, and the facility.
• Execute complex treatments and therapies such as blood and plasma transfusions, CRI medication calculations, central line care, advanced wound management, and enteral/parenteral nutrition support.
• Coordinate caseload and shift handoffs by prioritizing patient care needs, communicating critical updates to clinicians and incoming staff, and ensuring accurate, real-time medical record documentation.
• Instruct and support veterinary students and trainees in emergency and critical care technical skills, clinical reasoning, and safe patient handling within high-acuity and isolation settings.
• Perform other related duties including controlled substance management, crash cart and equipment readiness, stocking and inventory for high-use areas, participation in code reviews and quality improvement, and support of client communication during critical cases.

Benefits

• Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service.
• With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
• Review our detailed benefits information here.
• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree