Veterinary Technician

Iowa State University; Ames, Northern (IA, KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Vacation and leave

Onsite childcare (Ames)

Life insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Assistance Program

Wellbeing program

Job summary

Iowa State University’s Laboratory Animal Resources seeks a Veterinary Technician to provide clinical and technical support for diverse laboratory animal species used in research and teaching at the Ames campus. This role collaborates with veterinarians, researchers, and animal care staff to ensure animal health programs and regulatory compliance.

The position involves medical procedures, sample handling, and documentation to advance scientific discovery while maintaining high standards of

Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in an AVMA or CVMA-accredited veterinary technology program.
• Registered, licensed, or certified as a veterinary technician within one year of the start date.
• Valid U.S. Driver's License

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical care for laboratory animals through medication administration, health monitoring, catheter placement and maintenance, treatment support, and patient recovery activities
• Assist veterinarians and researchers with medical and surgical procedures, including anesthesia monitoring, sample collection, and diagnostic procedures
• Collect, process, and document biological samples for research and diagnostic purposes while maintaining accurate medical and research records
• Support animal welfare and regulatory compliance through health assessments, documentation, and adherence to established animal care protocols
• Collaborate with veterinarians, researchers, and animal care staff to support research and teaching activities across multiple animal facilities

Skills

Clinical care

Animal health

Team collaboration

Recordkeeping

Education

AVMA/CVMA-accredited veterinary technology program

Job description

Position Title: Veterinary Technician

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.

Special Required Qualifications

Valid U.S. Driver's License

Job Description

Are you interested in supporting innovative research while promoting the highest standards of animal health and welfare? Laboratory Animal Resources at Iowa State University is seeking a Veterinary Technician to provide clinical and technical support for a variety of laboratory animal species used in research and teaching programs, including rodents, swine, sheep, cattle, and other agricultural and research animals. In this role, you will work closely with veterinarians, researchers, and animal care staff to support animal health programs, medical procedures, research activities, and regulatory compliance. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys applying their veterinary technician skills in a collaborative research environment where their work directly contributes to scientific discovery and advancement.

What You’ll Do

• Provide clinical care for laboratory animals through medication administration, health monitoring, catheter placement and maintenance, treatment support, and patient recovery activities


• Assist veterinarians and researchers with medical and surgical procedures, including anesthesia monitoring, sample collection, and diagnostic procedures


• Collect, process, and document biological samples for research and diagnostic purposes while maintaining accurate medical and research records


• Support animal welfare and regulatory compliance through health assessments, documentation, and adherence to established animal care protocols


• Collaborate with veterinarians, researchers, and animal care staff to support research and teaching activities across multiple animal facilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience monitoring patients during anesthesia and recovery


• Experience collecting biological samples for diagnostic or research purposes


• Experience working with large or small animals preferably in a research setting


• Experience maintaining electronic medical records, research records, or animal health documentation

What We’re Looking For

• Demonstrate strong attention to detail and recordkeeping abilities


• Be comfortable working with a variety of animal species in a research environment


• Possess strong communication and collaboration skills when working with researchers, veterinarians, and animal care staff


• Be able to balance multiple priorities while maintaining high standards of animal care and regulatory compliance


• Be proficient with computer systems and electronic recordkeeping

Additional Information

Standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional after-hours, weekend, or holiday work may be required to support animal care, research activities, and clinical need Travel between multiple animal housing facilities on campus may be required. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Benefits

• Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental


• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans


• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans


• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)


• Life insurance and long-term disability


• Flexible Spending Accounts


• Various voluntary benefits and discounts


• Employee Assistance Program


• Wellbeing program

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.

About Laboratory Animal Resources

Laboratory Animal Resources supports Iowa State University's research, teaching, and outreach mission by providing exceptional animal care, veterinary services, research support, and compliance oversight. The department partners with investigators across campus to ensure the humane care and use of animals while advancing innovative research and scientific discovery. Through a commitment to animal welfare, collaboration, and service excellence, Laboratory Animal Resources plays a vital role in supporting groundbreaking research that benefits both human and animal health. 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.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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].

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check. 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].

Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [e-mail] or call [phone] or Toll-Free: [phone]. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or [phone]. 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.

Appointment and Compensation

Appointment Type: Regular Number of Months Employed Per Year: 12 Month Work Period Time Type: Full time Pay Grade: 7601a Original Posting Date: August 28, 2026 Posting Close Date: September 10, 2026 Job Requisition Number: R19859

Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community.

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensiveland-grantmission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds.