Veterinary Surgical Assistant

North Carolina State University; North Carolina; On-site; USD 46,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision

Flexible Spending Account

Retirement Programs

Disability Plans

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs

12 Holidays Each Year

Tuition and Academic Assistance

Job summary

North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine seeks a Veterinary Surgical Assistant to join the teaching hospital team in Raleigh, NC. This on-site role provides critical surgical support across facilities, working with technicians and veterinary students in a fast-paced, teaching environment.

The ideal candidate has completed an accredited veterinary training program and is prepared for aseptic technique, intraoperative care, and instrument handling.

Qualifications

• Completion of an accredited training program in the area of assignment.
• Some positions may require additional training, certifications, or licensure.
• Experience in operating room or sterile processing within veterinary or human healthcare is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Set up advanced surgical suites and uphold aseptic technique.
• Assist during complex surgeries and support anesthesia and patient care.
• Operate and maintain surgical equipment and ensure proper sterilization.
• Disinfect suites, restock supplies, and maintain OSHA logs.
• Train veterinary students, interns, and residents in surgical workflows.

Skills

Team players

Safety-minded professionals

Operational agility

Education

Accredited veterinary technician program

Tools

Sterile processing equipment

Surgical instrumentation handling

OR safety protocols

Job description

Posting Details

Job Posting Information

Posting Number: PG195218SP

Internal Recruitment: No

Working Title: Veterinary Surgical Assistant

Anticipated Hiring Range: $45,500 - $49,200

Work Schedule: TBD, holidays, weekends and on call required. Mandatory on site.

Job Location: Raleigh, NC

Department: CVM Teaching Hospital

About The Department

Established in 1983, the NC State Veterinary Hospital (VH) is one of the nation’s highest-rated academic medical centers, serving North Carolina and the surrounding region. The VH treats nearly 35,000 patients annually across more than 20 clinical services, utilizing a team-based approach that leverages the expertise of nationally and internationally renowned board-certified specialists.

The VH is dedicated to:

• Clinical Excellence: Providing compassionate, state-of-the-art specialty healthcare at the cutting edge of veterinary medicine.
• Education: Delivering expert clinical instruction to fourth-year veterinary students from the College of Veterinary Medicine.
• Innovation: Advancing the field through the ongoing investigation of innovative techniques and medical procedures.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

What we offer:

• Medical , Dental , and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties

Join a premier veterinary teaching hospital team! This position provides critical surgical support across both the Randall B. Terry Jr. Companion Animal Medical Center and the Equine and Farm Animal Veterinary Center. Our unique team of Veterinary Technicians and Assistants specializes in advanced sterile techniques for a varied array of small and large animal procedures. If you possess advanced knowledge of veterinary medicine and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative teaching environment, we want you on our team.

What You’ll Do:

• Surgical Prep & Aseptic Technique: Set up advanced surgical suites, validate sterility, manage equipment, and prepare patients using precise aseptic techniques.
• Intraoperative & Patient Care: Maintain sterile fields, assist during complex surgeries, calculate medications, and support anesthesia and isolation protocols.
• Equipment & Sterile Processing: Operate and maintain cutting-edge surgical technology (including C-arms, drills, lasers, and microscopes) and manage instrument sterilization.
• Turnover & Inventory: Ensure rapid room readiness by disinfecting suites, restocking vital supplies, and maintaining strict OSHA compliance logs.
• Coordination & Mentorship: Streamline surgical scheduling, document critical patient data, and help train the next generation of veterinary students, interns, and residents.

What We Are Looking For:

• Team Players: Active problem-solvers who can work independently with sound judgment but know when to collaborate.
• Safety-Minded Professionals: Commitment to maintaining a clean, functional workspace in accordance with OSHA , EHS , and hospital infectious disease policies.
• Operational Agility: Ability to lift up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodations, flexibility to extend hours based on patient needs, and comfort working around potential hazards (zoonotic diseases, chemicals, gases).

Other Responsibilities

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Experience/Education Completion of an accredited training program in the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience.

Some positions may require additional Training, Certifications, or Licensure.

Preferred Qualifications

• Clinical OR Experience: Previous experience working in an operating room or sterile processing support role within a veterinary or human healthcare setting; experience in a teaching hospital environment preferred.
• Training & Instructional Support: Experience teaching, coaching, or mentoring veterinary students, interns, residents, or junior staff in clinical or surgical workflows.
• Surgical & Sterile Processing Expertise: Competency in sterile processing and OR support, including handling complex surgical instrumentation, maintaining sterility standards, and supporting specialty or high-volume surgical services.
• Critical Thinking & OR Workflow Management: Ability to prioritize surgical cases and instrumentation needs, troubleshoot equipment or workflow issues, and make sound decisions in a fast-paced surgical environment.
• Communication & Professionalism: Strong communication skills with the ability to support OR teams effectively, respond to instrumentation and supply needs, and maintain professionalism in high-pressure clinical settings.

Required License Or Certification: N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required: No

Commercial Driver's License Required?: No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date: 09/21/2026

Earliest Close Date: 09/25/2026

Notice to Applicants: Please note that the work history on your resume must also be included in your application.

Special Instructions: Applicant required documents: Cover Letter, Resume, Contact Information for at least three Professional References.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Position Details

Position Number: 00062777

Position Type: SHRA

Position Classification Band Title: Medical Support Technician

Position Classification Band Level: Advanced

Position Classification Salary Range: $ 39,000 - $ 77,109

Salary Grade Equivalency: MH09

Alternate Option: If no applicants apply who meet the required competency level and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week): 1.0

Appointment: 12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather: Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events: Mandatory - Fire/Explosions, Mandatory - Medical Emergencies, Mandatory - Hazardous Material Incidents, Mandatory - Transportation Accidents, Mandatory - Evacuations/Natural Hazards, Mandatory - Utilities/Infrastructure Failure, Mandatory - Threats of Violence/Terrorism/Interpersonal Emergencies

Time Limited Position: No

Time-Limited Appointment Length (if applicable):

Department Id: 192001 - CVM Teaching Hospital

EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.