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Position Title:Veterinary Technician II - Equine Surgery

Job Group:Merit

Required Minimum Qualifications:• Registered, licensed, or certified as a veterinary technician, and either • Associates degree in a veterinary technology program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) or the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and three years of experience with the care and treatment of animals in a veterinary teaching hospital, specialty and referral practice, laboratory animal medicine, or research enterprise, 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 two years of experience with the care and treatment of animals in a veterinary teaching hospital, specialty and referral practice, laboratory animal medicine, or research enterprise.

Preferred Qualifications:Experience restraining large animals for surgical procedures

Experience assisting with Anesthesia.

Experience working in a clinical or Hospital setting.

Experience teaching veterinarians, students, or other technical staff in a teaching environment.

Job Description:

Do you have a passion for equine care and surgical support? Join our Large Animal Hospital team and contribute to life-saving procedures while working in a collaborative teaching environment with veterinarians, residents, and students.

What You’ll Do

+ Assist with equine surgical procedures, including preparation, anesthesia induction, monitoring, and recovery.

+ Provide pre- and post-operative care such as wound management, medication administration, and patient monitoring.

+ Operate and maintain diagnostic and surgical equipment (radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy).

+ Collaborate with clinicians, residents, and students to support patient care and teaching.

+ Maintain accurate medical records and uphold hospital safety and biosecurity protocols.

+ Assist with lameness exams.

Job Details

+ Appointment Type: Full-time, regular position

+ Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM, on call

+ Environment: Hands-on role in a teaching hospital setting; physical ability to handle large animals safely required.

About the Department

The Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center at Iowa State University is a leading teaching hospital providing comprehensive care for large and small animals. Our Large Animal Hospital specializes in equine medicine and surgery, offering advanced facilities and a team-oriented environment focused on patient care and education.

Under the direction and supervision of a licensed Veterinarian, provides advanced care for ill and injured animal patients or animals used in a research or hospital setting. Instructs and demonstrates veterinary care, animal husbandry, and technical skills to students and Veterinary Technician I. Provides assistance to fourth-year veterinary students, Veterinarians, and investigative staff in their treatment of animals, teaching, or research functions. May exercise some control over the continual work product of others within assigned service. Position operates independently in performing the full scope of advanced care. Provides mentorship and guidance to Veterinary Technician I. Guidance and mentorship can be provided by Veterinary Technician III.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists with the instruction and evaluation of veterinary and veterinary technology students and Veterinary Technician level I. In a clinical or classroom setting provides demonstrations of advanced skill level in areas such as proper medical record keeping, animal restraint, phlebotomy, intravenous and urinary catheterization, fluid therapy, aseptic technique, anesthetic monitoring of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification system, level I-III and postoperative care.

• Responsible for providing advanced nursing care on ASA I-III patients which are considered to be healthy, have mild, or severe systemic disease that is a consistent threat to life. Nursing care to include but not limited to: placing and maintaining intravenous, urinary, and arterial catheters, central lines, nasogastric tubes, and nasal oxygen; administering fluids and medications orally, parenterally, and enterally; utilizing blood products; performing arterial sampling, tracheostomy care, and other advanced treatments.

• Collects, analyzes, and processes samples for research, diagnostic, and clinical purposes. Monitors the patient’s condition and effectiveness of medications.

• Performs advanced preparatory procedures on various animal species and assists staff members in surgical, medical and laboratory procedure preparation (such as phacoemulsification, endoscopy, blood cultures, pericardiocentesis, and arthrocentesis etc.), including instrument and supply set up.

• Administers anesthesia and monitors patient response through the recovery period for ASA I-III patients; maintains anesthetic and mechanical monitoring equipment.

• Maintains orderly and sanitary work areas for clinical, teaching, and research facilities.

• Monitors effectiveness of autoclaves.

• Stocks and organizes patient exam rooms, treatment areas, holding areas and operating rooms.

• May determine and enters hospital charges and medical records into the computer to create accurate records for billing accounts and evaluate charges to ensure hospital costs are accurately captured.

• Responsible for set up, inventory, maintenance, security, and repairs for equipment and instruments used in surgical procedures, emergencies and/or lab sessions. Monitors the effectiveness of environmental sanitation programs. Monitors and reports aberrations in environmental systems as they relate to animal and public health.

• Assists in drafting and evaluation of reports of institutional programs (i.e., postoperative care, anesthesia monitoring, facility maintenance, etc.).

• Utilizes ultrasound machines and x-rays, assist with MRI, or other related imaging equipment for patient diagnostics

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to perform advanced technical skills reflective of department.

• 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 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:7602a

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 Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover LetterIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] 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: November 25, 2025

Posting Close Date:December 4, 2025

Job Requisition Number:R18187

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [email protected] or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.