Veterinary Assistant 1, 2, or 3-SAICU

Louisiana State University; Baton Rouge (LA); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement options

Tuition exemption

Job summary

Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge seeks Veterinary Assistant 1-3 SAICU to support the Small Animal Intensive Care Unit. The role provides critical care nursing, anesthesia recovery, and teaching opportunities within a high-demand hospital setting.

You will assist with medications, IV therapy, patient monitoring, and daily ICU operations while collaborating with veterinarians and students. This is a full-time, on-site position in Veterinary Medicine.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree; OR associate's degree in veterinary technology OR credentials as a vet tech or equivalent OR 3 years of experience in a working environment with similar duties.
• Experience in ICU settings and familiarity with veterinary critical care procedures is preferred.
• Ability to document and communicate patient status clearly to the veterinary team.

Responsibilities

• Assist with advanced nursing procedures and ICU care, including medications and IV catheter management.
• Assist Emergency Service with triage, CPR readiness, and controlled substances handling.
• Maintain ICU readiness, complete routine maintenance, inventory management, and data entry of patient charges.
• Communicate patient status to staff and assist with teaching activities.
• Support veterinary teaching and holiday shifts as needed.

Skills

Advanced nursing procedures

IV catheter placement

Critical care monitoring

Team communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Associate's degree in veterinary technology

Vet tech credentials

3 years of related experience

Tools

Life-support equipment

Medical records systems

CPR/EMR equipment

Job description

Job Posting Title: Veterinary Assistant 1, 2, or 3-SAICU

Position Type: Professional / Unclassified

Department: LSUAM VetMed - VTH - Admin - Nursing - Small Animal Intensive Care Unit (Jose Juarez (00070166))

Work Location: Veterinary Medicine

Pay Grade:

Job Description

The Small Animal Intensive Care Unit (SA-ICU) provides continuous patient care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Our intensive care facility maintains a 52-patient capacity and delivers around-the-clock monitoring and treatment for critically ill and injured animals. The ICU also serves as the primary anesthesia and surgical recovery area and provides triage support for cases presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital emergency department. The ICU veterinary technicians and assistants provide advanced nursing care to critically ill patients, support emergency and critical care operations, maintains ICU readiness, and participates in teaching and training activities within the hospital.

Veterinary Assistant 1

• 40%-Assist with advanced nursing procedures and intensive care treatments for critically ill and hospitalized patients. Administer medications and treatments as prescribed, ensuring proper dosing, administration, and documentation. Place and maintain intravenous catheters. Assist with venipuncture, cystocentesis, abdominal and thoracic fluid collection procedures, and other technical nursing procedures as directed. Assist with the operation of and monitor life-support and intensive care equipment. Closely monitor patient status and promptly communicate changes in condition to the veterinary team. Recover and monitor anesthetized and post-surgical patients, documenting vital signs and recovery progress. Maintain accurate and complete medical records.
• 20%-Assist the Emergency Service with patient admission, triage, assessment, and stabilization of emergency case as needed. Remain prepared to initiate CPR and other emergency interventions when required. Handle and maintain Class II controlled substances in accordance with hospital policies and regulatory requirements. Verify prescribed dosages and requested quantities. Assist with obtaining, dispensing, and accurately documenting controlled drug usage. Assist with ensure appropriate drug administration. Assist with maintaining required inventory and usage records. Properly dispose of unused controlled substances and document disposal procedures.
• 20%-Assist with maintaining the ICU in a constant state of operational readiness. Assist with complete daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance responsibilities. Assist with equipment quality control checks and routine maintenance procedures. Assist with monitoring inventory levels and ensuring adequate stocking of medications, supplies, and emergency equipment. Assist with maintaining a daily census of ICU patients, procedures performed, and hospitalization charges. Assist with completing accurate and timely data entry of all patient charges and fees.
• 10%-Assist with communicating patient signalment, diagnosis, treatment plans, current status, and nursing considerations to staff on incoming shifts. Communicate with veterinarians, residents, interns, students, and fellow technicians to ensure continuity of care and optimal patient outcomes.
• 10%-Participate in veterinary teaching activities as assigned. Assist with training veterinary students, interns, residents, and newly hired staff in ICU procedures and patient care protocols. Support the educational mission of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital through demonstration of best practices in critical care nursing. Serve as designated emergency response personnel and work assigned holiday shifts as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree; OR associate's degree in veterinary technology OR credentials as a vet tech or equivalent OR 3 years of experience in a working environment with similar duties.

Veterinary Assistant 2

• 40%-Perform advanced nursing procedures and intensive care treatments for critically ill and hospitalized patients. Administer medications and treatments as prescribed, ensuring proper dosing, administration, and documentation. Place and maintain intravenous catheters. Perform venipuncture, cystocentesis, abdominal and thoracic fluid collection procedures, and other technical nursing procedures as directed. Operate and monitor life-support and intensive care equipment. Closely monitor patient status and promptly communicate changes in condition to the veterinary team. Recover and monitor anesthetized and post-surgical patients, documenting vital signs and recovery progress. Maintain accurate and complete medical records.
• 20%-Assist the Emergency Service with patient admission, triage, assessment, and stabilization of emergency case as needed. Remain prepared to initiate CPR and other emergency interventions when required. Handle and maintain Class II controlled substances in accordance with hospital policies and regulatory requirements. Verify prescribed dosages and requested quantities. Obtain, dispense, and accurately document controlled drug usage. Ensure appropriate drug administration. Maintain required inventory and usage records. Properly dispose of unused controlled substances and document disposal procedures.
• 20%-Maintain the ICU in a constant state of operational readiness. Complete daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance responsibilities. Perform equipment quality control checks and routine maintenance procedures. Monitor inventory levels and ensure adequate stocking of medications, supplies, and emergency equipment. Maintain a daily census of ICU patients, procedures performed, and hospitalization charges. Complete accurate and timely data entry of all patient charges and fees.
• 10%-Effectively communicate patient signalment, diagnosis, treatment plans, current status, and nursing considerations to staff on incoming shifts. Communicate with veterinarians, residents, interns, students, and fellow technicians to ensure continuity of care and optimal patient outcomes. Contribute to a positive team environment focused on excellence in patient care.
• 10%-Participate in veterinary teaching activities as assigned. Assist with training veterinary students, interns, residents, and newly hired staff in ICU procedures and patient care protocols. Support the educational mission of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital through demonstration of best practices in critical care nursing. Serve as designated emergency response personnel and work assigned holiday shifts as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree; OR associate's degree in veterinary technology with 2 years' experience OR credentials as a vet tech or equivalent with 2 years' experience OR 5 years of experience in a working environment with similar duties.

Veterinary Assistant 3

• 40%-Perform and teach advanced nursing procedures and intensive care treatments for critically ill and hospitalized patients. Administer medications and treatments as prescribed, ensuring proper dosing, administration, and documentation. Place and maintain intravenous catheters. Perform and teach venipuncture, cystocentesis, abdominal and thoracic fluid collection procedures, and other technical nursing procedures as directed. Operate and monitor life-support and intensive care equipment. Closely monitor patient status and promptly communicate changes in condition to the veterinary team. Recover and monitor anesthetized and post-surgical patients, documenting vital signs and recovery progress. Maintain accurate and complete medical records.
• 20%-Assist the Emergency Service with patient admission, triage, assessment, and stabilization of emergency case as needed. Remain prepared to initiate and teach CPR and other emergency interventions when required. Handle and maintain Class II controlled substances in accordance with hospital policies and regulatory requirements. Verify prescribed dosages and requested quantities. Obtain, dispense, and accurately document controlled drug usage. Ensure and teach appropriate drug administration. Maintain required inventory and usage records. Properly dispose of unused controlled substances and document disposal procedures.
• 20%-Maintain the ICU in a constant state of operational readiness. Complete and teach daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance responsibilities. Perform and instruct equipment quality control checks and routine maintenance procedures. Monitor inventory levels and ensure adequate stocking of medications, supplies, and emergency equipment. Maintain and teach how to maintain a daily census of ICU patients, procedures performed, and hospitalization charges. Complete accurate and timely data entry of all patient charges and fees.
• 10%-Effectively communicate patient signalment, diagnosis, treatment plans, current status, and nursing considerations to staff on incoming shifts. Teach this skill to others. Communicate with veterinarians, residents, interns, students, and fellow technicians to ensure continuity of care and optimal patient outcomes. Contribute to a positive team environment focused on excellence in patient care.
• 10%-Contribute to veterinary teaching activities as assigned. Assist with training veterinary students, interns, residents, and newly hired staff in ICU procedures and patient care protocols. Support the educational mission of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital through demonstration of best practices in critical care nursing. Serve as designated emergency response personnel and work assigned holiday shifts as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree; OR associate's degree in veterinary technology with 4 years' experience OR credentials as a vet tech or equivalent with 4 years' experience OR 7 years of experience in a working environment with similar duties.

Additional Job Description

• Safety and Security Sensitive Job - Safety and security-sensitive positions are defined as those positions where any form of substance abuse may affect University activities through unsafe work behavior/performance or error in judgment; or where substance abuse could jeopardize the safety and well-being of employees, other personnel, or the general public, or cause significant damage to University property. This includes positions requiring firearms, access to controlled substances, handling hazardous material, operating heavy equipment or machinery, etc. These positions are subject to drug screens per PS-67/FASOP HR-04.
• Emergency Essential Personnel -This position may be required to report to campus in times of emergency and/or closure per PS-18.
• Required to work a variety of shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays, on-call, and emergency response.

Job Competencies (ALL LEVELS)

• Knowledge of basic animal care and handling including restraint
• Knowledge of medical terminology, basic anatomy, and abbreviations
• Basic computer skills, problem-solving and communication skills
• Knowledge of proper medical record keeping (paper and electronic)
• Math skills; including drug calculations (dosage & conversions)
• Operation of equipment, diagnostic tests and hand held analyzers (eg. Glucometer)
• Interpretation of normal and basic arrhythmias on ECG
• Ability to collect blood from a number of different sites by venipuncture
• Proper administration of oral, sub-cutaneous, intramuscular, and intra venous medications
• Obtain and interpret temperature, pulse, respiratory rates and capillary refill time

Special Instructions

A copy of your transcript(s) may be attached to your application (if applicable). Please provide your resume and three professional references including name, title, phone number and e-mail address.

Skills Needed

Preferred Skills:

Posting Information

Posting Date: August 21, 2026 Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified): November 20, 2026

Additional Position Information

• Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.
• Benefits - LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!
• Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance.
• Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.
• Essential Position (Y/N): LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• All candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and maintain that valid work authorization throughout employment.
• Changes in laws, regulations, or government policies may impact the university’s ability to employ individuals in certain positions.

Contact Information

For questions or concerns related to updating your application with attachments (e.g., resumes, RS:17 documents), date of birth, or reactivating applications, please contact the LSU Human Resources Management Office at 225-578-8200 or email [e-mail]. For questions or concerns regarding the status of your application or salary ranges, please contact the department using the information provided in the Special Instructions section of this job posting. LSU includes institutions, facilities and programs in each of Louisiana’s 64 parishes, and its campuses stretch the length of the state from New Orleans to Shreveport. Each institution plays a vital role in preparing students to incorporate new knowledge and technologies into daily lives. LSU researchers across Louisiana are working on developing a wide-range of innovations to improve quality of life by studying issues such as disease management, advance medical treatments, obesity, coastal protection, hurricane preparedness, energy, natural resource management and agriculture, among others. Louisiana’s Flagship University is a land-, sea- and space-grant institution with academic programs in all areas of science, engineering, humanities, arts and social sciences. The University comprises of nine institutions: Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College (“LSU”), the premier flagship university for the state, which include the Paul M. Hebert Law Center and the School of Veterinary Medicine Louisiana State University at Alexandria Louisiana State University at Eunice Louisiana State University at Shreveport LSU Health Sciences Center – New Orleans LSU Health Science Center – Shreveport The Health Care Services Division Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Pennington Biomedical Research Center Any other college, university, school, institution, or program now or hereafter under the supervision and management of the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College In implementing its mission, LSU is committed to: Offering a broad array of undergraduate degree programs and extensive graduate research opportunities designed to attract and educate highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students; Employing faculty who are excellent teacher-scholars, nationally competitive in research and creative activities, and who contribute to a world-class knowledge base that is transferable to educational, professional, cultural, and economic enterprises; and Using its extensive resources to solve economic, environmental, and social challenges.