Veterinary Technician I - Emergency and Critical Care

Colorado State University•Fort Collins, CO

8d•$44,650 - $47,500•Onsite

About The Position

This position supports the efficient operation of the Small Animal Critical Care Unit (ICU) within the Veterinary Teaching Hospital by delivering high-quality emergency and critical care to hospitalized patients. Reporting to the Critical Care Unit Supervisor, the Veterinary Technician I provides advanced patient monitoring, technical support, and assistance with critical procedures while prioritizing workflow efficiency and patient safety. The role also supports CSU’s academic mission by mentoring and training veterinary students, interns, and assistants, and by promoting effective communication and teamwork across the interdisciplinary ICU team. This position is designated as essential and must adhere to all Veterinary Health System policies, safety standards, and infection control practices.

Requirements

Graduate of accredited veterinary technician program with greater than 1 year of experience in veterinary medicine
Registered as a Veterinary Technician (VT) or Provisional Veterinary Technician (PVT) through the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).
Candidates can qualify without graduation from a veterinary technician program if they demonstrate 2+ years of veterinary medicine experience.

Nice To Haves

Two+ years of experience in an emergency and/or critical care position.
Ability to place intravenous catheters, venipuncture skills, computer skills.
Demonstrated experience providing customer service in a fast-paced environment (e.g.: high traffic, stressful, or rapid problem solving).
A strong desire to learn and advance medical and technical knowledge base.
Ability to proactively teach and encourage in a supportive manner.

Responsibilities

Provide advanced emergency and critical care nursing services, including triage, assessment, stabilization, treatment, monitoring, restraint, and advocacy for critically ill and injured patients.
Perform and support complex diagnostic and therapeutic procedures under clinician direction, including advanced catheterization, blood sampling, anesthesia support, mechanical ventilation, CPR, and use of specialty monitoring and life-support equipment.
Monitor high-risk and severely compromised patients, identify clinically significant changes, interpret diagnostic data, and recommend adjustments to patient management.
Collaborate with clinicians, students, interns, residents, referring veterinarians, and clients to support diagnosis, treatment planning, communication, and continuity of care.
Provide clinical leadership and act as a technical resource for technicians, assistants, and students, modeling professional behavior and high-quality nursing care.
Teach, mentor, and train students and staff in emergency and critical care procedures, pathophysiology, protocols, and best practices.
Prioritize cases, procedures, and daily tasks; ensure accurate documentation, charge entry, and compliance with hospital policies, biosecurity, and controlled substance regulations.
Maintain ICU operations by monitoring supplies, equipment, and facility readiness and providing after-hours and emergency admission support.