Veterinary Technician - Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

University of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 50,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PSLF opportunity

Tuition assistance program

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

University of Minnesota’s Veterinary Medical Center seeks a skilled Veterinary Technician to provide high-quality clinical care under the supervision of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. You will support anesthesia, diagnostics, treatment, and client education in a fast-paced academic setting.

Responsibilities include monitoring recovery, documenting progress, mentoring students, and collaborating with care teams to maintain patient safety and service excellence.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program or equivalent.
• Credentialed Veterinary Technician in good standing or eligible within 12 months.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service abilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced clinical care and technical procedures per standards.
• Monitor anesthesia, recovery, and patient status with appropriate equipment.
• Document observations, treatments, and progress accurately.
• Communicate changes and concerns to veterinarians promptly.
• Mentor and support students, residents, and staff in clinical roles.
• Assist with teaching, learning, and service-excellence initiatives.

Skills

AVMA accredited program

CVT/LVT/RVT credential

Clinical veterinary nursing

Communication skills

Education

AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program

Tools

Medical records software

Monitoring equipment

Job description

About the Job

Schedule: Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm

Under the direction of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, this position contributes to the health and well-being of patients by delivering outstanding, high-quality veterinary technician services that meet the standards of the Board of Veterinary Medicine as well as VMC standards and protocols. This role supports the Anesthesia Service by providing comprehensive veterinary technical support across wellness, diagnostics, treatment, and client education in a fast-paced academic clinical environment. This role also supports student, resident, intern, and staff education, clinical research activities, and efficient hospital operations while maintaining high standards of patient care and customer service.

Primary Responsibilities

60% Clinical Patient Care and Technical Procedures

Provide Proficient Patient Care

• Perform advanced veterinary nursing procedures and technical skills within service-specific standards and protocols.
• Independently assess patient status and communicate concerns, changes, and recommendations to clinicians.
• Assist with complex diagnostic, medical, surgical, and emergency procedures.
• Support advanced anesthesia, sedation, and recovery procedures utilizing appropriate monitoring equipment, documentation, and patient care protocols.
• Prioritize and coordinate patient care activities based on patient condition, service needs, and hospital workflow.
• Utilize advanced clinical judgment to identify and elevate patient care concerns.
• Serve as a technical resource for veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, students, interns, and residents.
• Support patient care across multiple clinical service areas as operational needs require.

Service Responsibilities

• Receive a complete handoff from the anesthetist, including procedure, medications, complications, analgesia plan, and recovery concerns.
• Continuously monitor the patient during recovery, including heart rate, respiratory rate and effort, temperature, oxygenation, mentation, and overall stability.
• Monitor airway and respiratory status closely, especially after extubation, and respond promptly to any signs of obstruction, hypoventilation, or hypoxemia.
• Assess and manage pain, comfort, temperature, positioning, and other recovery needs, including warming and oxygen support as indicated.
• Monitor surgical sites, bandages, drains, IV catheters, and other devices for bleeding, swelling, displacement, or complications.
• Recognize and promptly communicate changes in patient condition or post-anesthetic complications to the veterinarian or anesthesia team.
• Accurately document recovery observations, treatments, medications, interventions, and patient progress.

Ensure the patient meets established recovery criteria before transfer from PACU, including stable vital signs, adequate airway control, appropriate mentation, controlled pain, and acceptable temperature.

Maintain Medical Records and Clinical Documentation

• Ensure accurate and complete documentation of patient care, treatments, diagnostics, and communications.
• Review documentation practices and assist in maintaining compliance with service and hospital standards.
• Maintain appropriate charging and billing documentation for services provided.

Support Clinical Operations

• Assist with inventory management, equipment maintenance, and operational readiness.
• Troubleshoot workflow, equipment, and patient care challenges and elevate concerns as appropriate.
• Complete required service-specific, VMC, and holiday area training and competency requirements.
• Maintain required certifications and competencies, including CPR training, as assigned by the service area.
• Support implementation of new processes, protocols, and operational improvements.

25% Mentorship, Training, and Educational Support

Mentor and Develop Staff

• Provide day-to-day mentorship, guidance, and technical support to veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants.
• Assist with onboarding, training, and competency development of new employees.
• Model professional behavior, clinical excellence, and effective communication practices.
• Identify learning opportunities and provide constructive feedback to support staff development.

Support Teaching and Learning

• Assist in the instruction of veterinary students, interns, residents, and visiting learners.
• Demonstrate and explain clinical procedures, equipment use, and patient care techniques.
• Promote a positive learning environment that supports professional growth and knowledge sharing.

15% Clinical Communication and Service Excellence

Communicate with Clients and Care Teams

• Collaborate with faculty, technicians, students, interns, residents, and hospital staff to coordinate patient care.
• Demonstrate professionalism, respect, inclusivity, and accountability in all interactions.
• Facilitate effective communication among care team members to promote patient safety and continuity of care.
• Communicate patient updates, discharge instructions, and follow-up care information to clients and document communications in the medical record.
• Respond to client, clinician, and staff inquiries in a timely and professional manner.

Promote Professional Standards

• Foster a positive, collaborative, and psychologically safe work environment.
• Adhere to VMC policies, procedures, work rules, confidentiality requirements, and professional conduct standards.
• Support a culture of teamwork by seeking assistance when needed and providing assistance to others.
• Participate in service-level quality improvement, patient safety, and operational initiatives.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) veterinary technology program or equivalent education.
• Credentialed Veterinary Technician (CVT, LVT, RVT, or equivalent recognized in Minnesota) in good standing, or eligible to obtain credentialing within 12 months of hire.
• Demonstrated problem-solving, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.
• Demonstrated professionalism, reliability, and ethical conduct.
• Knowledge of veterinary medical terminology and clinical veterinary practices.
• Ability to safely restrain and handle small animals.
• Proficiency with computer software, medical records, and common business applications.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced veterinary teaching hospital environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a fast-paced clinical environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience with electronic medical records and hospital information systems.
• Ability to support multiple clinical service areas and adapt to changing patient care priorities.
• Exhibits a teaching mentality and positive attitude
• Commitment to fostering a collaborative, respectful, and team-oriented work environment.
• Experience training, mentoring, or supporting the development of students, new employees, or colleagues.
• Demonstrated adaptability, flexibility, and ability to manage competing priorities.

About the Department

The Veterinary Medical Center (VMC) has served the community for more than a century. The Veterinary Medical Center is one of the nation's busiest veterinary hospitals, treating more than 35,000 companion and 4,000 large animal cases annually. A world-renowned clinic with state-of-the-art equipment and comprehensive, cutting-edge services, the Veterinary Medical Center is the state's premier provider of top quality veterinary care. With access to the University of Minnesota's care network, the Veterinary Medical Center focuses on enhancing the human-animal bond while providing access to outstanding patient care.

The Veterinary Medical Center is comprised of the Lewis Small Animal Hospital for dogs, cats, and other companion animals, the Piper Clinic at the Leatherdale Equine Center for horses, the Large Animal Hospital, which treats equine and farm animals, and occasionally, zoo animals, and the West Metro Equine Practice, located in Long Lake, MN.

To learn more about the Veterinary Medical Center click here.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $24.14 to $25.61; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflect the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.