Veterinary Assistant III - Emergency and Critical Care

Colorado State University; United States; On-site; USD 53,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State University’s CSU VTH Small Animal Critical Care Services seeks a dedicated nurse for advanced emergency and critical care duties. The role involves triage, stabilization, monitoring, and collaboration with clinicians, students and clients to support high-risk patients.

Responsibilities include teaching veterinary students and staff, leading technical resources, and ensuring efficient unit operations with after-hours support.

Qualifications

• HS Diploma or GED with three years of animal care experience.
• Experience in emergency or critical care nursing preferred.
• Ability to work under clinicians and provide high-level patient care.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced emergency and critical care nursing support including triage and stabilization.
• Perform complex monitoring and treatments under clinician direction, including ventilation and CPR.
• Monitor patients, adjust management, and advocate for safety and welfare.
• Collaborate with clinicians, students, and clients for diagnosis and care plans.
• Teach and mentor veterinary students, technicians, and residents; lead technical guidance.

Skills

Emergency nursing

Critical care

CPR

Team collaboration

Education

HS Diploma or GED

Tools

Catheterization equipment

Ventilation equipment

Dialysis equipment

Monitoring equipment

Job description

Position Summary

CSU VTH Small Animal Critical Care Services, the pinnacle of veterinary medicine and education, is to ensure the advancement of patient welfare through a vital system distinguished by personal excellence; compassionate care; exemplary education; collaborative &transformative research; and mutual trust with our community. Full Consideration Date: Monday, October 12, 2026, 11:59pm (MT). This position will remain open until filled.

Essential Job Duties

• Provide advanced emergency and critical care nursing support including triage, assessment, stabilization, treatment, monitoring, and restraint of high-risk and critically ill patients.
• Perform and support complex monitoring and treatment procedures under clinician direction, including advanced catheterization, ventilation support, CPR, emergency anesthesia, dialysis support, and specialty equipment operation and troubleshooting.
• Monitor severely compromised patients, identify critical changes in condition, recommend and implement adjustments to patient management, and advocate for patient safety and welfare.
• Collaborate with clinicians, students, interns, residents, referring veterinarians, and clients to support diagnosis, treatment planning, and ongoing patient care through assessment, diagnostics, and interpretation of results.
• Teach, mentor, and provide clinical instruction to veterinary students, technicians, interns, and residents, including advanced procedures, nursing care, and pathophysiology.
• Serve as a lead technical resource within Critical Care Services by guiding staff, assisting with training, supporting protocol adherence, and contributing to unit leadership and operational improvements.
• Communicate effectively with clients and hospital teams to provide triage, medical updates, coordination of care, and support during emotionally challenging situations.
• Support unit operations by prioritizing cases, documenting treatments, entering charges, maintaining equipment and supplies, enforcing policies and regulations, and providing after-hours emergency support.

Supervision

No formal supervisory authority.

Conditions of Employment

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires).
• Essential Services Designation - must be willing and able to report to work as directed to perform essential and/or emergency services without delay or interruption.
• Shift Work - nights, weekends or holidays.
• On-call Status - potential for on-call status.
• 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.

Minimum Education and Experience

HS Diploma or GED plus three (3) years of experience caring for animals or providing animal handling duties OR HS Diploma or GED and a combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position equal to three (3) years.

Salary

Salary Range $53,000 - $57,000

References

References will be requested from finalists and will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.

Employee Benefits

Colorado 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. Review our detailed benefits information. Explore the additional perks of working at CSU. For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator. Lastly, for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

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.

EEO

Colorado 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. Inspired by its land-grant heritage, Colorado State University is committed to excellence and engagement, setting the standard for public research universities in teaching, research, service and extension for the benefit of the citizens of Colorado, the United States, and the world.

Additional Information

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