Veterinary Technician I

Iowa State University•Ames, IA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

If you enjoy hands‑on work with a variety of species including companion animals, equine and farm animals and have an interest in reproductive and neonatal care, the Theriogenology team at the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center may be a great fit for you. We are looking for someone who is motivated, comfortable working in a teaching hospital environment, and ready to support a service that combines patient care, learning, and clinical activity each day. What You Will Do In this role you will work closely with clinicians, residents, interns, veterinary students, and fellow technicians. Under the direction and supervision of a licensed Veterinarian, provides intermediate care for ill and injured animal patients or animals used in a research or hospital setting. May perform veterinary care, animal husbandry, and basic technical skills with fourth-year veterinary students. Provides assistance to students, Veterinarians, and investigative staff in their treatment of animals, teaching, or research functions. Position operates within standard guidelines and alternatives that are known, and any deviation from such requires prior approval. Guidance and mentorship can be provided by Veterinary Technician II or III.

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), and
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

Demonstrated experience restraining and safely handling large animals.
Experience working in a veterinary or clinical animal care environment.
Hands on experience providing routine animal husbandry and daily care tasks for small or large animals.

Responsibilities

Assisting with reproductive and neonatal exams, preparing samples, and supporting advanced reproductive procedures
Providing daily patient care including monitoring vitals, placing IV catheters, administering medications, and assisting with anesthesia and recovery for routine cases
Maintaining and troubleshooting equipment used in theriogenology including semen analysis tools, microscopes, ultrasound units, and artificial insemination equipment
Supporting daily service flow by preparing treatment and exam areas, maintaining sanitary workspaces, organizing supplies, and entering information into medical records and billing systems
Working with students by demonstrating proper animal handling and restraint techniques and assisting with development of technical skills
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.