Veterinary Technician (General) - Emergency and Critical Care Services

Experience Champaign Urbana; Urbana (IL); On-site; Full time

Job summary

An opportunity is available for a Veterinary Technician in the Emergency and Critical Care Services at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The role involves providing technical support and nursing care, supervising students, and engaging in a fast-paced environment with various responsibilities including patient triage, medication administration, and equipment maintenance. Successful candidates will have completed an accredited veterinary technology program and will possess strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills. The position offers full-time civil service employment with a starting wage of $21.91 per hour, along with a comprehensive benefits portfolio.

Benefits

Competitive benefits portfolio

Opportunity for professional development

Qualifications

• Illinois Veterinary Technician Certification within 6 months of employment.
• Familiar with regulations regarding controlled substances.
• Adept at operating surgical and laboratory equipment.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care in emergencies and critical care.
• Supervise and instruct students in veterinary techniques.
• Maintain and manage equipment and work areas.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving skills

Attention to detail

Ability to work under pressure

Teamwork

Education

Completion of veterinary technology program accredited by AVMA

Job description

Veterinary Technician (General) - Emergency and Critical Care Services

Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Job Summary

The Veterinary Technician will be responsible for providing standard paramedical technical support and nursing care in a courteous and professional manner for the Emergency and Critical Care Service (ECC) at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Due to the teaching nature of the hospital, this position will supervise and instruct professional students and veterinary technician students in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques as well as emergency procedures.

Learn to provide standard paramedical technical support in a professional and courteous manner.
◦ Work as a team with students, interns, residents and faculty to provide skilled nursing care for all patients including, but not limited to emergencies, critical care, post-surgical, acute and chronic conditions, and isolation, which may include methicillin resistant organisms and zoonotic diseases.
◦ Perform patient triage, patient history, obtain approval for initial stabilization and resuscitation orders from the owner.
◦ Use problem solving skills to assist with patient care in both emergent and non-emergent situations.
◦ Recognize physical abnormalities such as, but not limited to; cardiac murmurs and arrhythmias, abnormal pulmonary auscultation, respiratory difficulty and distress, change in mentation, abnormal physical exam findings, and signs of shock.
◦ Recognize pulmonary or cardiopulmonary arrest and immediately initiate Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) if indicated. Perform both basic and advanced CPR life support as directed by the veterinarian.
◦ Restrain patients using appropriate restraint techniques.
◦ Administer sedation and monitor patient vitals as directed by the veterinarian.
◦ Record the administration of all controlled substances on the appropriate forms and patient records.
◦ Perform venipuncture and cystocentesis.
◦ Perform electronic submission of samples to clinical pathology and the diagnostic laboratory.
◦ Perform and analyze venous and arterial blood gases, packed cell volume (PCV)/total solids (TS), blood glucose (BG), lactate, ketostick, slide agglutination, etc.
◦ Use basic monitoring equipment such as; indirect blood pressure (doppler and oscillometric), electrocardiogram (ECG), pulse oximetry, and continuous temperature monitoring.
◦ Complete and review patient monitoring and treatments as directed on the patient’s care plan, such as Intensive Care Unit (ICU) flow sheet or Emergency Room (ER) patient record. Contact veterinarian with abnormal findings when something is not within the set call parameters.
◦ Assist veterinarians with variety of procedures including abdominocentesis, thoracocentesis, pericardiocentesis, wound care, chest tube placement, nasogastric/nasoesophageal tube placement and unblocking urinary obstructions.
◦ Perform placement of peripheral intravenous catheters (IVCs) and the placement of both central venous jugular catheters and peripherally inserted central catheters.
◦ Perform a variety of procedures including indwelling urinary catheter placement, direct arterial blood pressure monitoring, continuous ECG monitoring, and nasal oxygen tube placement.
◦ Maintain, trouble shoot the care and use of intravenous (IV) fluid and syringe pumps, indwelling urinary catheters, Jackson-Pratt grenade style drains, chest tubes, continuous chest tube suction (Pleuravac), central line catheters, peripheral IVCs, feeding tubes, oxygen cage, nasal oxygen, nebulization, and temporary and permanent tracheostomy care.
◦ Assist in calculating drug dosages and fluid/CRI rates.
◦ Set up and administer IV fluids, continuous rate infusions (CRI’s) and other medications as directed by the veterinarian.
◦ Aseptically prepare blood products for administration, monitor appropriately during transfusion and record monitoring parameters.
◦ Set up and administer enteral feedings through nasogastric (NG), nasoesophageal (NE), esophagostomy (E)-tube, gastrostomy (G)-tube, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), or jejunostomy (J)-tubes, as directed by the veterinarian. Perform treatments and administer medications under the direct or written orders of the veterinarian.
◦ Record treatments, procedures, supplies, and thorough notes on patient’s medical record.
◦ Record and enter charges for supplies and procedures into the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
◦ Maintain ECC patient logs.

Learn to provide instruction in a professional and courteous manner.
◦ Orientation, direction and instruction of students and clinicians.
◦ Instruction of ECC procedures.
◦ Instruction of problem-solving skills to assist with patient care in both emergent and non-emergent situations.

Learn to maintain work space and equipment
◦ Perform regular cleaning and stocking, as well as complete daily and weekly assignments.
◦ Participate in on-call for ECC.
◦ Assist with documenting and troubleshooting issues with equipment

Other duties as assigned

Additional Physical Demands

The work schedule for this position may include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as well as assigned on-call.

Persons allergic to animal dander, dust, pollen, hay, etc. may experience discomfort in this position. An environment of stress may be anticipated. The person in this position must be capable of reliably functioning in such an area. The amount of physical exertion will vary with assignments. For example, the technician may be engaged in lifting a 40 lb. animal on and off an examination table. The handling of any animal presents some element of risk or injury. Some strength and considerable caution are required when working with animals during diagnostic or surgical procedures. An ability to work in the presence of animal waste and fluids is necessary. To some degree, unpleasantness may be experienced under such conditions. The position entails operating equipment, administering medications, and restraining animals of various species for examination. Exposure to anesthetic agents may present a potential hazard. Syringes, needles, and medications are potentially dangerous and must be used with care. Work involving animals in various disease states may expose the individual to viral, bacterial, and fungal agents known to be transmissible to man. Exposure to chemicals and anesthetic waste gases may be potentially hazardous if mishandled or misused.

Minimum Qualifications

Successful completion or current enrollment in the final semester of a veterinary technology program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Illinois Veterinary Technician Certification must be obtained within 6 months of employment and must be maintained throughout employment.
• Familiar with federal regulations and university and hospital policies regarding the use and handling of controlled substances.
• Skill in the operation of surgical, laboratory, and diagnostic equipment.
• Able to adapt to new technologies, procedures, and equipment.
• Demonstrate adherence to strict protocols.
• Able to instruct veterinary medical/technician students in patient care protocol and procedures and in the use of equipment and instrumentation.
• Able to recognize abnormalities in vital signs of patients, assess changes observed, and take necessary action in the absence of a veterinarian.
• Able to operate on the clinical floor and anticipate needs and directions of staff and students regarding patients and methods of care.
• Able to observe, record, compile, and assimilate data.
• Able to explain terminology used in veterinary medicine.
• Knowledge related to the care and handling of anesthetic waste gases.
• Able to multi-task, pay close attention to details, and work calmly and professionally under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Courteous and polite.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 4080 - Veterinary Technician (General) position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible. The collective bargaining agreement sets a wage of $21.91. Final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on June 25, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact [e-mail]. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing [e-mail].

Requisition ID: 1031152
Job Category: Technical
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu