Veterinary Nurse/Veterinary Technician, Small Animal Clinical Sciences: College of Veterinary Medicine - UTIA

University of Tennessee • Knoxville, TN

6d • $47,840 - $70,720 • Onsite

About The Position

The College of Veterinary Medicine is hiring Veterinary Nurses in the Small Animal Sciences department. Specialty areas include Anesthesia, Emergency and Critical Care, Nutrition, and Oncology. The role provides medical, surgical, and/or anesthetic nursing care or diagnostic imaging services, including patient assessments, triage, and preparation for exams or treatments. The Veterinary Nurse performs diagnostic procedures, analyzes results, documents histories, symptoms, and observations, administers medication and treatments, helps establish care plans, and operates medical equipment. The role also serves as a resource for information and guidance and supports teaching by instructing students, interns, and residents in clinical skills relevant to the specialty.

The position is based onsite in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Veterinary Medical Center operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round; occasional weekend, evening, or holiday work may be required. Candidates should provide a letter of intent for the position(s) sought, a resume, a current veterinary technician license or transcript from an AVMA-accredited program, references, and proof of attendance at an AVMA-accredited program through official transcripts or a diploma.

Hiring level depends on experience and qualifications and may be Veterinary Nurse 1, Veterinary Nurse 2, Senior Veterinary Nurse 1, or Senior Veterinary Nurse 2. All levels require graduation from an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology program with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Applicants must be legally authorized to work full-time in the United States without current or future employment-based visa sponsorship. The anticipated hiring range is $47,840–$70,720 (UT market ranges MR06–MR07).

Requirements

• Graduate of an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)-accredited Veterinary Technology program with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree; upcoming graduates may be considered if the degree is obtained before the hire date.
• Veterinary Nurse 1: no minimum experience required; must obtain a Tennessee license to practice within the first year of employment.
• Veterinary Nurse 2: at least 1 year of relevant experience in a veterinary medical center or private/specialty veterinary practice; must hold a Veterinary Technician license and obtain a Tennessee license to practice within the first year of employment.
• Senior Veterinary Nurse 1: at least 3 years of relevant experience in a veterinary medical center or private/specialty veterinary practice; must hold a Veterinary Technician license and obtain a Tennessee license to practice within the first year of employment.
• Senior Veterinary Nurse 2: at least 3 years of internal relevant experience and 6 years of relevant experience in a veterinary medical center, or 7 years in a private/specialty veterinary practice; must hold a Veterinary Technician license, obtain a Tennessee license to practice within the first year of employment, and be a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS).
• Legally authorized to work in the United States full-time without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.
• Knowledge of veterinary medical concepts, animal behavior and husbandry, and disinfection.
• Knowledge of and ability to perform resuscitation.
• Ability to perform diagnostic procedures and adhere to hospital safety procedures.
• Ability to work in a high-stress environment.
• Ability to calculate dosages and administer drugs.
• Ability to obtain patient statistics.
• Ability to conduct oneself in a professional manner.
• Animal handling skills.
• Written and verbal communication skills.
• Time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide medical, surgical, and/or anesthetic nursing care or diagnostic imaging by assessing patients, performing triage, and preparing patients for exams or treatments.
• Perform prescribed diagnostic procedures and analyze results.
• Record patients’ medical histories, symptoms, and observations.
• Administer medications and treatments.
• Help establish plans of care and confer with owners.
• Regularly communicate with the supervising clinician.
• Operate medical equipment.
• Collaborate with others to ensure quality patient care.
• Enter charges on patient accounts.
• Manage supplies, equipment, and inventory; organize products, maintain equipment, and order supplies.
• Support teaching efforts by instructing students, interns, and residents in specialty-specific clinical skills.
• Perform on-call duties and other duties as assigned by the direct supervisor, veterinary nursing director, or department head.

Benefits

• Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and development and training opportunities.
• The university describes its employee values as focusing on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership.

What This Job Offers

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