Veterinary Technician I - Farm Animal

Iowa State University • Eugene, IA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Are you passionate about animal health and hands-on veterinary care? We’re looking for a Farm Animal Veterinary Technician to support our Farm Animal Hospital by providing exceptional technical assistance, patient care, and student instruction. This role is vital to ensuring high-quality clinical services and fostering a collaborative learning environment for future veterinary professionals.

Requirements

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in a veterinary technology program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) or the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
• Registered, licensed, or certified as a veterinary technician within one year of the start date.
• Knowledge of animal health and welfare - animal isolation, sample collection, medical treatment, nursing and monitoring, pre & post-surgical requirements including room and supply preparation.
• Knowledge of pharmacology - dosage, calculations, and usage.
• Knowledge of animal husbandry - animal feeding, watering, grooming, handling, safe transporting, and environmental requirements.
• Knowledge of record maintenance - collecting and recording data.
• Knowledge of trimming, clipping, or grooming animals.
• Knowledge of teaching and/or demonstration of safe animal handling.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements (Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service, etc.).
• Ability to handle, restrain, move, load, and unload animals.
• Ability to administer medication - topical, injectable, oral, and rectal.
• Ability to check and interpret vital signs.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 70 pounds.
• Ability to instruct and demonstrate veterinary techniques in handling, grooming, and nursing animals.
• Ability to interact in a professional capacity.
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to prioritize daily tasks.
• Ability to work in high stress environments.
• Knowledge of computers, computerized medical record systems, and word processing software, such as Microsoft Word and Excel.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with large animal species (bovine, equine, small ruminants) in a clinical or hospital setting.
• Knowledge of technical procedures such as anesthesia monitoring, and patient care protocols.
• Experience with regulatory requirements (Animal Welfare Act, IACUC, etc.) and biosecurity practices.
• Experience supporting teaching in a veterinary setting.
• Experience working in an emergency care setting.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced technical procedures and assist in surgical, medical, and diagnostic care for farm animal species under faculty and clinician direction.
• Provide patient care, including monitoring vitals, administering medications, and supporting recovery for hospitalized animals.
• Demonstrate and teach proper restraint techniques, diagnostic procedures, and clinical skills to veterinary students and house officers.
• Maintain and troubleshoot medical equipment, manage inventory, and ensure clean, organized workspaces.
• Collaborate daily with clinicians, residents, interns, and students to coordinate patient care and hospital operations.
• Assists with basic nursing care on American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification level I and II patients, which are considered healthy or with mild systemic disease. Nursing care to include but not limited to: monitoring body functions (temperature, respiration, heartbeat, amount and frequency of food consumptions, defecation, urination etc.) and noting abnormalities; placing and maintaining intravenous catheters; administering fluids and medications orally, parenterally, and enterally; and performing other basic treatments.
• Collects and processes samples for research, diagnostic, and clinical purposes.
• Assists with basic preparatory procedures on various animal species and assists staff members in surgical, medical, or laboratory procedure preparation, including instrument and supply set up.
• Administers anesthesia and monitors patient response through the recovery period for ASA I-II patients.
• Maintains orderly and sanitary work areas for clinical, teaching, and research facilities.
• Stocks and organizes patient exam rooms, treatment areas, holding areas and operating rooms.
• May assist with entering hospital costs and medical records into the computer to create accurate records for billing accounts.
• Assists with set up, inventory, maintenance, security, and repairs for equipment and instruments used in surgical procedures, emergencies and/or lab sessions.
• Utilizes ultrasound machines and x-rays, assist with MRI, or other related imaging equipment for patient diagnostics.

Benefits

• Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees