Job Description

This Veterinary Technician position primarily provides patient care for clinical livestock cases in the Livestock Veterinary Services whose treatments are being overseen by faculty, residents, and interns. This position will spend the majority of the time working in the livestock facility, however depending on caseload in Livestock this position might also be asked to assist in Equine Critical Care and Medicine, Large Animal Radiology, and other large animal services. This position requires a knowledge of various medical procedures, biosecurity surveillance, and proper equipment usage. This position will assist in the case management on a day-to-day basis by providing support services such as stocking and inventory management, cleaning and maintaining equipment after use, and providing continuity of patient care. Additionally, this position provides direction of third and fourth year veterinary students, and their responsibilities related to patient care within the livestock hospital.

A shift differential  will be applied for applicable shifts as follows:
-- Second shift differential of 7.5% shall be paid for all hours worked when half or more of the scheduled work hours fall between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

-- Third shift differential of 14% shall be paid for all hours worked when half or more of the scheduled work hours fall between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Monday through Thursday.

-- Weekend shift differential of 20% shall be paid for all hours worked when more than half of the scheduled shift hours fall on a weekend shift that starts at 4 p.m. Friday evening through 6 a.m. Monday morning

Description of Work Unit:

The Veterinary Health System transforms our service units into a comprehensive veterinary medical center governed by responsible management that supports our units’ individual missions. Capitalizing on Colorado State University’s top ranking in veterinary medicine, and building on our tradition of providing high-quality compassionate care and achieving outstanding clinical outcomes, the Veterinary Health System broadens our expertise and skill to deliver the highest levels of customer service, employee satisfaction, and advancements in medicine through clinical service, research, and innovation.

Our mission is to educate the next generation of veterinarians by providing exceptional veterinary care and service to the community every day. Our vision is to advance medicine by integrating world-class patient care with leadership in veterinary education and scientific discovery.

Full Consideration Date:

This position will remain open until filled. For full consideration, please apply by July 31, 2026, 11:59 pm (MT).

Signing Bonus:

A signing bonus and/or moving expenses can be negotiated up to $1,500 for eligible selected hires.

Essential Job Duties:

• Provide clinical support and direct patient care for livestock patients, including safe and appropriate restraint, triage, monitoring, venipuncture, catheter assistance, drug calculations, treatments, and participation in procedures, surgeries, anesthesia support, and case receiving.
• Observe, assess, and communicate changes in patient status, using sound judgment to determine reportable conditions and ensuring clinicians, interns, or residents are notified appropriately.
• Assist with clinical procedures and surgical preparation, including clipping, prepping, setting up equipment, assisting during procedures, collecting rumen fluid, and maintaining patient and staff safety.
• Perform accurate medical documentation and administrative tasks, including electronic medical record entry, treatment and communication sheets, clinician orders, billing and charge capture, controlled substance documentation, and submission of laboratory orders.
• Maintain, restock, and monitor equipment and supplies, including evaluating functionality, submitting repair work orders, checking expiration dates, stocking drugs and materials, and ensuring availability of biosecurity and clinical supplies.
• Support student, intern, and volunteer instruction under the direction of DVM clinicians, providing guidance on safe handling, restraint, treatments, procedures, biosecurity, and emergency preparedness, and contributing to updates of manuals and hospital signage.
• Promote teamwork and maintain a safe working environment by collaborating effectively with colleagues within Livestock Veterinary Services and the Veterinary Health System and adhering to hospital standards.
• Implement and maintain infection control and biosecurity protocols, including cleaning and disinfecting facilities, instruments, and equipment; maintaining footbaths; applying biosecurity measures during patient appointments; ensuring adequate biosecurity supplies; and conducting environmental salmonella surveillance.

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: Nights and Weekends
• 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:

None

Minimum Qualifications:

• An associate degree from an accredited college or university in veterinary/animal health technology AND one (1) year of experience assisting in animal surgery, administering anesthesia to animals, and/or performing veterinary surgery.
• Registered as a Veterinary Technician (RVT), OR Provisional Veterinary Technician (PVT) through the Department of Regulatory Agencies with a clear plan including the timeline for obtaining full RVT or eligibility to obtain a state of Colorado DORA license by start date
• Credentialed in the State of Colorado or other eligible state determined by CACVT
• Must have the ability to safely and proficiently handle livestock, including cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and camelids). 
• Minimum one (1) year of livestock experience.
• Basic computer skills, including the ability to work in an electronic medical record
• The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed state date; the department will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Two years of experience as defined by the department will substitute for each year of required education. A bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in veterinary/animal health technology will substitute for the associate’s degree and, at the agency’s discretion, the year of experience.

NOTE: VETERINARY PRACTICE ACT – 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) AND registered through the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). Please visit the CACVT website for more information.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One year (1) of experience working in a large animal veterinary hospital

Application Instructions:

This position will remain open until filled. For full consideration, please apply by July 31, 2026 11:59 pm (MT). Interested applicants must submit a cover letter that addresses how professional experiences align with the required and preferred qualifications, and a current resume. References may be requested at a later date for finalists and will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates. CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the VTH HR staff at vth_hr@colostate.edu.

Salary Range

$39,720 – $47,664

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Certification, Cover Letter, License, Resume/CV

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.