Vet Tech I Temporary – Large Animal Intensive Care Unit

Iowa State University; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

Iowa State University’s Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center seeks a Vet Tech I (Temporary) for the Large Animal Intensive Care Unit. You will work under a licensed veterinarian, providing intermediate care to ill or injured equine and farm animals and supporting teaching activities with students, interns, and residents.

The role involves assisting with anesthesia, nursing care, sample collection, imaging, and collaboration across a dynamic, fast-paced hospital setting.

Qualifications

• AVMA/CVMA accredited veterinary technology degree required.
• Licensed, registered, or certified as a veterinary technician within one year of start date.

Responsibilities

• Assist with basic nursing care for ASA I-II patients, monitor vital signs, place IV catheters, administer fluids and medications.
• Collect samples for research, diagnostics, and clinical use.
• Prepare procedures and assist with surgical, medical, or laboratory tasks.
• Administer anesthesia and monitor during recovery for ASA I-II patients.
• Maintain orderly, sanitary work areas for clinical, teaching and research facilities.
• Assist with exam rooms, treatment areas, holding areas, and operating rooms.
• Assist with hospital cost entry and medical records in the computer systems.
• Support equipment maintenance and inventory for surgical, emergencies, and lab sessions.
• Utilize ultrasound and X-ray equipment and assist with MRI and imaging as needed.

Skills

Animal health knowledge

Pharmacology knowledge

Record maintenance

Computers & MS Office

Team collaboration

Education

AVMA/CVMA accredited Veterinary Technician degree

Tools

MRI

Ultrasound

X-ray

Job description

Position Title:

Vet Tech I Temporary – Large Animal Intensive Care Unit

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.

Job Description:

Job Description:

At Iowa State University’s Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center (LVMC), you’ll work alongside a collaborative team of experts dedicated to excellence in diagnosis, treatment, and education—while making a meaningful impact on the future of veterinary medicine.

Under the direction and supervision of a licensed veterinarian, this position provides advanced care for ill and injured equine and farm animal patients. The technician supports a wide range of medical and surgical procedures and plays an integral role in a dynamic teaching environment that includes veterinary students, interns, and residents.

This role offers the opportunity to work with a diverse population of large animal species in a fast‑paced hospital setting, contributing to high-quality patient care, efficient hospital operations, and hands‑on clinical training.

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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with restraining animals.
• Experience working in veterinary setting.
• Prior experience with large animals

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.

Appointment Type:

Temporary (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

April 27, 2027

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Part time

Pay Grade:

7601a

Original Posting Date:

April 14, 2026

Job Requisition Number:

R18988

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. [phone], email [e-mail].

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.