Veterinary Technician I

Job Group:
Merit

Required Minimum Qualifications:
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:
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.

Job Description:

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. Your primary responsibilities include:

• 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

Role Details to Know

This position is fully on site within the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center.

The role involves the ability to safely restrain, move, assist with procedures involving both companion and large animal species. Some on call work is required in support of equine and farm animal surgical and ICU cases.

The position includes frequent lifting and physical activity and involves exposure to bodily fluids, chemicals, and other environmental conditions related to animal care.Training, personal protective equipment, and support from experienced team members are provided.

About the Department

The Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center is part of Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, one of the nation’s oldest and most respected veterinary institutions. The Theriogenology Service provides comprehensive reproductive care for large animals while supporting teaching, research, and hands‑on learning. The team values collaboration, high quality patient care, and creating an environment where students and staff can learn and grow together.

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.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 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.

Appointment Type:
Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work Period

Time Type:
Full time

Pay Grade:
7601a

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Why Choose ISU?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• 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
• Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

Original Posting Date:
April 1, 2026

Posting Close Date:
April 14, 2026

Job Requisition Number:
R18893