Veterinary Technician III - Emergency and Critical Care-1

Colorado State University; United States; On-site; USD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Colorado State University’s Veterinary Health System seeks a veterinary technician to support emergency and critical care services. You will collaborate with clinicians, guide case flow, and uphold strict safety standards across departments to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

The role requires a veterinary technician credential (VT/PVT) with DORA registration or equivalent emergency medicine experience. CSU offers on-site, fast-paced work with opportunities for mentoring students and staff.

Qualifications

• Graduate of accredited veterinary technician program; VT or PVT registration via DORA.
• Substitutions allowed: 4+ years of veterinary emergency medicine experience.
• CACVT/DORA certification requirements apply for title usage.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate clear, compassionate communication with clients and referring veterinarians.
• Determine clinical priorities and direct case flow across departments.
• Provide emergency/critical care guidance and supervise safety protocols (isolation, chemotherapy handling, biosecurity).
• Lead advanced clinical procedures and anesthesia recovery.
• Mentor students and staff through clinical cases and promote student learning.

Skills

Veterinary emergency medicine

Venipuncture

Intravenous catheter placement

Anesthetic recovery

Computer skills

Education

Graduate of accredited veterinary technician program

Registered as VT or PVT through DORA

Job description

Position Summary

At the CSU Veterinary Health System, animals and the people who care for them are at the heart of everything we do. Every decision we make reflects our commitment to those who trust us with their animals’ health. That focus inspires us to deliver expert veterinary services, support veterinary education and training, and advance groundbreaking research. We show up every day with passion, eagerness to collaborate, and a drive to redefine what’s possible. Our deep partnership with the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences amplifies our impact, enabling us to boldly innovate and share knowledge widely. Full Consideration Date: Friday, October 23, 2026, 11:59pm (MT). Open until filled. Signing bonus and/or relocation expenses may be available for eligible and successful candidates.

Essential Job Duties

Facilitate clear, compassionate communication with clients and referring veterinarians, ensuring accurate diagnostics, effective treatment planning, and seamless coordination across hospital departments.

Serve as a trusted resource for students, staff, and clinicians by determining clinical priorities, directing case flow, and upholding strict safety standards including isolation, chemotherapy handling, and biosecurity.

Exercise advanced clinical judgment by interpreting abnormal diagnostics, selecting appropriate CPR medications (RECOVER‑certified), and determining the need for advanced therapies such as PPV and CRRT.

Perform high‑level technical procedures, including advanced catheter and tube placement, complex anesthesia recovery, diagnostic sampling of fractious patients, and rapid triage to identify shock or critical conditions.

Support a positive learning environment by guiding students and staff through clinical cases, promoting patient comfort and low‑stress handling, and continuously advancing personal clinical knowledge.

Provide comprehensive training and mentorship in emergency and critical care principles, demonstrating advanced procedures, delivering in‑service sessions, and serving as the primary technical resource for ECC protocols.

Strengthen ECC operations by prioritizing cases, ensuring treatment accuracy and documentation, maintaining equipment and supply readiness, onboarding new personnel, and contributing to workflow and policy improvements.

Lead effective clinical coordination by conducting advanced triage onsite or via phone, gathering essential medical histories, supporting client decision‑making, collaborating across departments, and offering professional guidance to students and staff.

Conditions of Employment

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: On‑call Status.

Use, Handling, or Exposure to hazardous materials.

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. However, will act as a shift/unit lead for a variety of colleagues on any given shift.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education: Graduate of accredited veterinary technician program and Registered as a Veterinary Technician (VT) or Provisional Veterinary Technician (PVT) through the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). SUBSTITUTIONS:Candidates can qualify without graduation from a veterinary technician program if they demonstrate 4+ years of veterinary emergency medicine experience. Minimum Experience: Registered as a Veterinary Technician (VT) or Provisional Veterinary Technician (PVT) through the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). Graduate of accredited veterinary technician program with greater than 3 years’ experience in veterinary emergency medicine *Please note, a transcript or diploma must be attached to this application to demonstrate graduation from the vet tech program. SUBSTITUTIONS:Candidates can qualify without graduation from a veterinary technician program if they demonstrate 4+ years of veterinary emergency medicine experience. NOTE:VETERINARYPRACTICEACT– Effective January 1, 2024, anyone wanting to use the titles Registered Veterinary Technician, Veterinary Technician,RVT, or VT will have to be certified through the Colorado Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians (CACVT)ANDregistered through the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). Please visit theCACVTwebsite for more information:https://www.cacvt.org/registration-faqs.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in animal sedation, and anesthetic surgical patient recovery.

Ability to place intravenous catheters.

Venipuncture skills.

Computer skills.

Salary Range

$55,000 - $60,000

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 here. Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here. For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator. Lastly, click here 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.