Veterinary Assistant I - Emergency and Critical Care

Colorado State University; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 45,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State University in Fort Collins is seeking a Veterinary Assistant I for the Emergency and Critical Care service. This role provides clinical and patient care support, assisting with outpatient appointments, diagnostic procedures, and workflow coordination under supervision.

Responsibilities include patient handling and restraint, basic monitoring, and assistance with teaching and supporting veterinary students.

Qualifications

• HS Diploma or GED plus one year of experience caring for animals or providing animal handling duties.
• HS Diploma or GED and a combination of related education/experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care to Critical Care Service patients under the direction of senior nurses and clinicians, including treatments, monitoring, venipuncture, IV catheter placement, CPR assistance, and accurate drug calculations.
• Observe and recognize changes in patient status; triage promptly and communicate concerns to senior staff.
• Perform nursing care for stable small animals, including those with infectious diseases, following established protocols.
• Properly restrain patients to ensure safety for patients, staff, and others.
• Assist with teaching and supporting veterinary students, interns, residents, faculty, and staff with clinical techniques and shifts rounds.
• Maintain accurate and timely medical documentation and billing, including EMR, orders, and discharge preparation.
• Keep service areas clean, stocked, and organized, monitor expirations, and submit work orders as needed.

Education

HS Diploma or GED + 1 year animal care experience

Job description

Veterinary Assistant I - Emergency and Critical Care page is loaded## Veterinary Assistant I - Emergency and Critical Carelocations: Fort Collins, COtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Yesterdayjob requisition id: R2026107809# Job Description## Position Summary:This position provides clinical and patient care support within the Cardiology service, assisting with outpatient appointments, diagnostic procedures, and overall workflow coordination. Responsibilities include patient handling and restraint, preparation for exams and procedures, basic monitoring, cleaning and stocking of clinical areas, and support for faculty, house officers, technicians, and students. The role also contributes to teaching and supporting student learning in the clinical setting and assists with administrative tasks related to appointment coordination and patient flow. They play a key role in maintaining efficient case flow, supporting high-quality patient care, and ensuring the service can meet increasing caseload demands.**Full Consideration Date**: Friday, October 23, 2026, 11:59pm (MT). Open until filled.## Essential Job Duties**:*** Provide direct patient care to Critical Care Service patients under the direction of senior nurses and clinicians, including treatments, monitoring, venipuncture, IV catheter placement, CPR assistance, and accurate drug calculations.* Observe, assess, and recognize changes in patient status; properly triage patients and communicate concerns promptly to senior nurses or clinicians.* Perform nursing care and treatments for stable small animals, including those suspected or confirmed to have communicable infectious diseases, while following established protocols.* Properly restrain patients to ensure safety of patients, self, and others, and demonstrate caring and compassionate behavior at all times.* Support the instructional mission by assisting professional veterinary students, interns, residents, faculty, and staff with clinical techniques, protocols, procedures, and participation in shift change case rounds.* Maintain accurate and timely medical documentation and billing, including electronic medical records, treatment and observation sheets, clinicians' orders, controlled drug forms, and patient discharge preparation.* Maintain cleanliness, organization, and functionality of service areas by cleaning and disinfecting rooms, maintaining equipment, monitoring drug and supply expiration dates, stocking supplies, and submitting work orders as needed.## Conditions of Employmen**t:*** Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires).* **Essential Services Designation:** Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health, safety and welfare.* Shift Work - including overnights, weekends and holidays.* On-call Status - as needed.* Use, Handling, or Exposure to hazardous materials - and infectious diseases.* The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date; the department will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.## Supervision:No formal supervisory authority.## Minimum Qualifications:* HS Diploma or GED plus one (1) year of experience caring for animals or providing animal handling duties OR HS Diploma or GED and a combination of related education and/or experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position equal to one (1) year.## Application Instructions:Interested applicants must submit a cover letter that addresses how professional experiences align with the required and preferred qualifications and a current resume. Workday will only allow one file upload. Please combine your cover letter and resume into one document and upload it to your application. References will be requested from finalists and will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.CSU is committed to the full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you need assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the VHS HR staff at vhs\\[e-mail].# Salary Range$44,650 - $47,500# Required Application DocumentsTo apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.Cover Letter, Resume/CV## Employee BenefitsColorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that's transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.## Background Check Policy Statement#Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.## EEOColorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.