Professional Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) Lead Lab Assistant-VeterinaryTechnology

Parkland College; Champaign (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Parkland College is seeking a Professional Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) Lead Lab Assistant in Champaign, Illinois for a full-time, 12-month on-campus role. The position supports the Veterinary Technology program, coordinates lab activities, assists instruction, and ensures safety and compliance.

Salary is $49,545.60 with a strong emphasis on organization and collaboration across faculty and students.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Veterinary Technology from an accredited program.
• Current Illinois CVT credential or ability to obtain within established timeframe.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in veterinary practice or related field.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects and deadlines while managing competing priorities.
• Ability to provide guidance and support to students and staff.

Responsibilities

• Prepare laboratory spaces, equipment, supplies, specimens for Veterinary Technology courses.
• Lead CVT lab assistant for assigned courses and assist faculty with demonstrations and exams.
• Coordinate daily laboratory operations and inventory management.
• Coordinate student workers, recruitment, onboarding, and scheduling.
• Maintain safety records and assist with regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate animal care activities and support program outreach.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Laboratory safety

Recordkeeping

Education

Associate degree in Veterinary Technology

Illinois CVT credential

Job description

Professional Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) Lead Lab Assistant-Veterinary Technology

This position is an on-campus, full-time, 12-month appointment based in Champaign, Illinois covered by the Professional Support Staff (PSS) Union with an annual salary of $49,545.60.

Application Close Date/Time: Thursday, October 22, at 11:59 PM CT

The Professional Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) Lead Lab Assistant supports the Veterinary Technology program by coordinating laboratory activities, assisting with instruction, supporting animal care, maintaining supplies and equipment, helping ensure safety and compliance, coordinating student workers, and supporting program events and outreach activities. The position works closely with faculty, students, the Program Director, and the program veterinarian to support daily program operations.

This position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage several responsibilities at the same time. The employee works independently on many assignments and must be able to prioritize work, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate records. The position occasionally handles confidential information and records and helps maintain a safe and effective learning environment.

Essential Job Functions

Instructional Laboratory Support

• Prepare laboratory spaces, equipment, supplies, specimens, and materials for Veterinary Technology courses.
• Serve as the lead Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) lab assistant for assigned laboratory courses.
• Assist faculty with laboratory demonstrations, practical exams, and other instructional activities.
• Assist with setup and cleanup for laboratory exercises and practical exams.
• Collect and prepare laboratory samples, including blood, urine, and fecal specimens.
• Assist with anatomy laboratory activities, including specimen preparation and dissection support.
• Coach and support students during laboratory activities while reinforcing skills taught by faculty.
• Answer student questions and refer students to faculty, the Program Director, or the program veterinarian when appropriate.
• Operate, maintain, clean, troubleshoot, and store laboratory equipment.
• Assist with updates to laboratory procedures and protocols.

Program Operations and Inventory Management

• Coordinate daily laboratory operations.
• Notify the Program Director of equipment repair, maintenance, and replacement needs.
• Coordinate equipment maintenance and service with vendors.
• Work with campus departments to address facility, technology, and operational issues.
• Submit work orders when needed.
• Maintain inventory of laboratory supplies, equipment, and instructional materials.
• Coordinate approved purchases and supply orders.
• Conduct annual inventory reviews and maintain inventory records.
• Recommend replacement or purchase of laboratory supplies and equipment.
• Determine student lab kit contents based on program needs.
• Coordinate ordering and preparation of student lab kits.
• Assist the Program Director with practicum‑related communication and documentation.
• Work with students to identify practicum locations as directed by the Program Director.
• Provide program‑related guidance to students and refer them to appropriate resources when needed.

Student Worker Coordination

• Coordinate and provide day‑to‑day guidance for student workers assigned to Veterinary Technology laboratories.
• Coordinate student worker schedules and assignments.
• Monitor completion of assigned tasks.
• Assist with recruitment, onboarding, training, and orientation of student workers.
• Participate in application review and initial interviews.
• Provide hiring recommendations to the Program Director.
• Maintain student worker duty lists and task expectations.
• Provide training and support related to laboratory procedures, safety practices, and assigned duties.

Safety, Regulatory Compliance, and Records

• Help maintain compliance with laboratory safety requirements and procedures.
• Maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and related safety records.
• Update hazardous chemical inventories and records.
• Ensure secondary containers are properly labeled.
• Assist with safety training for employees and student workers.
• Support Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) activities and documentation.
• Attend IACUC meetings as needed.
• Prepare and maintain reports, records, and documentation related to animal care and program compliance.
• Review animal care records for accuracy and completeness.
• Coordinate records that qualify for state disposal as directed.
• Maintain accurate laboratory, inventory, animal care, safety, and program records.

Program Animal Care and Veterinary Support Under the Direction of the Program Veterinarian

• Coordinate intake of program animals, including dogs, cats, and rodents.
• Assist with housing, vaccinations, microchipping, deworming, heartworm prevention, flea control, and related care.
• Maintain accurate medical and program records.
• Coordinate animal adoptions and related paperwork at the end of the school year.
• Assist with animal enrichment activities.
• Monitor daily care and health of program animals.
• Assist with medical treatments as authorized.
• Provide animal care training for students.
• Complete student animal care evaluations and provide documentation to faculty.
• Answer student questions related to animal care and refer students to the veterinarian when appropriate.
• Share on‑call responsibilities with full‑time faculty as assigned.

Outreach, Recruitment, and Special Events

• Coordinate the annual Parkland College Veterinary Technician Continuing Education Conference.
• Identify conference topics and contact speakers.
• Coordinate conference scheduling and event logistics.
• Prepare and monitor the conference budget.
• Maintain participant and registration records.
• Prepare conference agendas and materials.
• Work with Marketing on event communications and promotional materials.
• Coordinate conference mailings and event supplies.
• Arrange catering and event support services.
• Coordinate with appropriate staff regarding the Lumens program.
• Assist with summer camps, career exploration activities, recruitment events, and community outreach efforts.
• Support special projects that support program goals.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned that are consistent with the scope of the position.

Minimum Requirements

• Associate degree in Veterinary Technology from an accredited program, or an equivalent combination of education, certification, and progressively responsible experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the essential functions of the position and qualifies the individual to obtain and maintain Illinois Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) credentials.
• Current Illinois Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) credential or the ability to obtain Illinois certification within an established timeframe.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in veterinary practice, animal care, laboratory operations, veterinary education support, or a related field within the last ten (10) years.
• Prospective new hires will successfully complete a post offer, pre‑employment criminal background check with fingerprinting. The background check review includes, but is not limited to, exclusionary offenses per the Illinois School Code and Title IV of the Higher Education Act.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects, activities, and deadlines while managing competing priorities.
• Ability to provide guidance, training, and support to students and student employees.
• Knowledge of veterinary technology practices, animal care procedures, laboratory operations, and related equipment.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices, chemical handling procedures, and required recordkeeping.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Basic math skills needed to perform the duties of the position.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and complete detailed administrative work.
• Ability to appropriately handle confidential information.
• Ability to work effectively with students, faculty, staff, vendors, regulatory agencies, and community partners.
• Ability to use computers, software applications, laboratory equipment, and related technology.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to support a positive and student‑focused learning environment.
• Ability to