at University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Veterinary Technician I - After-Hours Large Animal ClinicEquine Medicine, Surgery, and Therio (EQMST) & FARMS
In 2024 Forbes ranked the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as #13 among all US public colleges, on the basis of return on investment, student success, student debt, and alumni leadership and influence. Only one other campus featuring a veterinary college ranked above U. of I.
Job Summary
The Veterinary Technician I will be responsible for providing standard paramedical technical assistance and service in a courteous and professional manner in the Large Animal Clinic of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and may be asked to assist in other areas of the veterinary teaching hospital as well. The incumbent has received training and learned specialized paramedical procedures and protocols related to the EQMS and RAHM sections, which includes working with a variety of animal species such as cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, goats, camelids and cervids. Due to the teaching emphasis of the hospital, the Veterinary Technician will assist in the training of veterinary students.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Provide standard and specialized paramedical technical assistance, nursing care and instruction in a professional and courteous manner under the direction of a Veterinarian.
• Uses the basic knowledge and skills necessary to perform routine procedures and tasks
• Identifies and reports abnormalities in vital parameters.
• Draws blood, prepares for and assists with diagnostic procedures, provides medical care for hospitalized patients, including checking vital signs, cleaning wounds, changing bandages, monitoring incisions, placing catheters, administering medications and treatments as directed, monitoring intake and output levels, and exercising patients.
• Records patient information, provides patient care in accordance with instructions, and monitors patient condition and effectiveness of medications.
• Provides patient care and feeding in accordance with verbal or written instructions, monitors patient condition and effectiveness of medications.
• Recognizes abnormalities in vital parameters, assesses the significance of changes observed, and takes necessary and appropriate action as indicated.
• Collects, stores and submits diagnostic samples.
• Endeavors to promote and provide a safe environment for all people/patients during overnight hours.
• Performs duties listed in lower level of this classification series. - Clean, maintain and stock work areas and equipment
• Evaluates condition of medical equipment and ensures that all areas of the hospital/laboratory are stocked with proper supplies and equipment.
• Verifies condition of treatment areas and patient cages/stalls.
• Operates and maintains equipment, instruments, and machinery relevant to the section/service area, including operation of various sterilizers.
• Assists with hospital/laboratory inventory and maintenance, including cleaning and disinfecting cabinets, carts, counters, sinks and patient cages/stalls as necessary. - Teach professional students/staff
• Demonstrates and assists in instructing students in the proper use of equipment and supplies.
• May assist with lower level veterinary technicians and/or staff training and professional development.
• Assists faculty, staff and students in all aspects of paramedical support.
• Provides assistance with and instruction of veterinary students. Assists and demonstrates proper animal restraint and handling. - Patient admission, client communications, discharge and record keeping processes
• Maintains appropriate records assuring accuracy and conformity to approved standards.
• Assist in the admission and discharge of patients, communicate discharge instructions to clients.
• Enter supplies used and procedures performed on patients into the Health Information System. - Perform other duties as assigned
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 safely lifting 45-pound fluid containers. Some strength and considerable caution are required when working with a large animal (i.e., cattle and horses) during diagnostic or surgical procedures; the technician may restrain a foal or calf on the ground. 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. To some degree, unpleasantness may be experienced under such conditions.
This position entails operating equipment, administering medications, and restraining animals of various species for examination. Exposure to anesthetic agents may present a potential hazard. An ability to work in the presence of animal waste and fluids, syringes, needles, and medications are potentially dangerous and must be used with care. Persons allergic to animal dander, dust, pollen, hay, etc., may experience discomfort in this position. Work involving animals with 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
1. Successful completion of a veterinary technology program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
2. Current certification as a Veterinary Technician by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
3. One (1) year (12 months) of paramedical veterinary experience comparable to that performed at the Veterinary Technician (General) level of this series or in other positions of comparable responsibility.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Illinois Veterinary Technician Certification must be maintained throughout employment.
- Knowledge of federal regulations and university and hospital polices regarding the use and handling of controlled substances.
- Knowledge of regulations related to use of drugs in food animal species including the need for milk and meat withholding times and limitations or prohibitions on the use of some drugs.
- Able to handle large animals and attend to their needs.
- Skill in the operation of surgical, laboratory and diagnostic equipment.
- Able to adapt to new technologies, procedures and equipment.
- Demonstrate adhere to strict protocols.
- Able to instruct veterinary medical/technician students in patient care protocol and procedures and in the use of equipment or instrumentation.
- Able to recognize abnormalities in vital signs of patients, assess charges 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 will be taught.
- Able to multi-task, pay close attention to details and work calmly and professionally under pressure.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Courteous and polite.
This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 4847 - Veterinary Technician I position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible. The collective bargaining agreement sets a wage of $25.06. 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 May 27, 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 jbough@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
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 accessibility@illinois.edu .
Requisition ID: 1030932
Job Category: Technical
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu
To view full details and how to apply, please login or create a Job Seeker account
