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Registered Veterinary Technician Emergency (ER) & Critical Care

Job Overview

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Employment Type

Full-time
Part-time
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Compensation

Hourly
Range $20.00 - $25.00
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Work Schedule

Rotating Shifts
Flexible
Day Shifts
Weekend Shifts
Night Shifts
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Benefits

Paid Time Off
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Retirement Plan
Continuing education credits
Employee assistance program
shift differential pay
Uniform allowance
employee pet discount

Job Description

Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital is a leading institution dedicated to advancing veterinary medicine through exceptional patient care, education, and research. As a part of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, CSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital offers specialized services to small animal patients, and it is recognized nationally for its commitment to excellence and innovative approaches to veterinary care. The Emergency & Critical Care Services (ECCS), including the Emergency, Critical Care Unit, and Intermediate Care Unit, will soon be relocating to a new 60,000 square foot state-of-the-art expansion of the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital, scheduled for late summer 2026. This new facility will feature modern open floor plans, dedicated nursing workstations, cutting-edge monitoring and support care equipment, and enhanced comfort-focused areas for patients and clients. This expansion underscores CSU's dedication to improving the quality of care and advancing veterinary critical care services.

The role of Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) and Provisional Veterinary Technicians (PVTs) within the ECCS is central to delivering exceptional medical care in urgent, critical, and intermediate care settings. These positions cater to flexible, curious learners who thrive in a collaborative and fast-paced environment with a passion for elevating patient care standards. Technicians in this role play instrumental roles in triage, stabilization, critical monitoring, anesthesia management, life-saving interventions, and advanced diagnostic procedures. They partner closely with veterinarians, veterinary students, interns, and residents to provide comprehensive care and contribute to clinical instruction and mentorship. The position is recruited at three levels — Veterinary Technician I, II, and III — with progressive responsibilities, clinical complexity, and leadership expectations. These technicians are vital to the continuous operation of the emergency and critical care services, working across rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays, accommodating the 24/7 nature of the hospital's operations.

In addition to clinical responsibilities, the ECCS technicians participate in quality assurance activities such as controlled substance management, crash cart and equipment readiness, and client communication during critical cases. They are committed to implementing stringent biosecurity protocols, ensuring the safety of patients, staff, and the facility. Moreover, the team benefits from a collaborative culture supported by a multidisciplinary team comprising ACVECC-certified veterinarians, residents, interns, and dedicated client care personnel, creating a supportive and professional environment focusing on excellence in patient and client care.

The hospital values their technicians and offers a competitive salary, excellent benefits including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, generous paid time off, shift differentials for non-traditional hours, support for continuing education and professional development, and employee pet discounts. Salary ranges for RVT positions vary according to level, from $41,600 to $58,240 annually, with additional compensation through shift differentials potentially adding $4,500 to $9,000 annually. The hospital also supports education through free college credit courses and covers licensing fees for CAVCT/DORA registrations. This position is essential to hospital operations, requiring candidates to be flexible and committed to ensuring continuous high-quality care.

Candidates interested in joining this innovative and expanding team should be prepared for a dynamic, challenging, and highly rewarding role contributing to the health and well-being of critical and urgent care patients. This position is located onsite, requiring an essential services designation for timely availability during critical or emergency conditions. Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital offers a professional and vibrant work environment where individuals can grow their skills, make a lasting impact, and be part of an acclaimed institution dedicated to veterinary excellence.

Job Requirements

  • Credentialed in the state of Colorado or other eligible state determined by CACVT
  • Pre-employment criminal background check required
  • Essential services designation requiring availability during inclement weather holidays and emergencies
  • Compliance with Colorado Veterinary Practice Act effective January 1, 2024 requiring certification through CACVT and registration through DORA to use RVT or VT titles
  • Ability to perform assigned duties including physical demands and animal handling
  • Willingness to participate in ongoing education and professional development
  • Availability for work across rotating shifts including nights weekends and holidays

Job Qualifications

  • Associate degree from an accredited college or university in veterinary/animal health technology or equivalent experience
  • Experience assisting in animal medicinal care administering anesthesia or performing veterinary surgery preferred
  • Strong clinical skills in emergency and critical care environments
  • Ability to work effectively in fast-paced and collaborative team settings
  • Excellent communication and mentorship abilities
  • Commitment to high standards of patient care and teamwork
  • Willingness to work rotating shifts including nights weekends and holidays
  • Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) or Provisional Veterinary Technician (PVT) credential preferred or in process

Job Duties

  • Perform rapid triage and initiate life-saving interventions for emergent and critical patients including CPR oxygen therapy and placement of IV/IO access
  • Provide continuous critical care by monitoring advanced parameters recognizing subtle changes in patient status and intervening promptly
  • Administer and manage anesthesia and procedural sedation for emergency surgeries and diagnostic procedures including induction airway management anesthetic monitoring and complex recoveries
  • Implement isolation and biosecurity protocols by managing PPE use barrier nursing techniques infectious disease workflows and decontamination procedures
  • Execute complex treatments and therapies such as blood and plasma transfusions CRI medication calculations central line care advanced wound management and enteral/parenteral nutrition support
  • Coordinate caseload and shift handoffs by prioritizing patient care needs communicating critical updates to clinicians and incoming staff and ensuring accurate real-time medical record documentation
  • Instruct and support veterinary students and trainees in emergency and critical care technical skills clinical reasoning and safe patient handling within high-acuity and isolation settings
  • Perform other related duties including controlled substance management crash cart and equipment readiness stocking and inventory participation in code reviews quality improvement and support of client communication during critical cases

Job Criteria

Experience

Mid Level (3-7 years)


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