Veterinary Technician - SA Core

Description of Position

Under the direction of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine contributes to the health and well being of patients by delivering outstanding, high quality veterinary technical services that meet the standards of the MVMA and MAVT as well as VMC standards and protocols. Competently assists Clinicians and other medical staff members with veterinary medical procedures which may include (but are not limited to) surgical assisting, emergency care, intensive care, small animal medicine, rehabilitation, laboratory procedures, radiography, anesthesiology, specialty care, administering treatments, animal nursing, animal restraint and handling, preventative care, clinical research, etc. within assigned service area as well as across functions as needed.

Essential Functions

• Assists clinicians, clients and patients with receiving, assessment, work-up, discharge, etc., prepares patients for a variety of veterinary medical procedures including preparation for radiographic procedures, surgeries, catheterizations, venipunctures, vaccinations, anesthesia, intensive or emergency care; administration of medications and treatments, etc.
• Provide excellent service to DVM's and medical teams that support quality patient care.
• Facilitate open communication and teamwork among clinical care team members (DVM's students, veterinary technicians, etc.) in support of positive patient outcomes and excellent patient care.
• Must be able to restrain and handle animals and/or assist with animal restraint and handling.
• Under the direction of DVM performs a variety of medical and diagnostic procedures depending upon clinical indications and area of service; may perform intravenous and related therapies (i.e. fluids, chemotherapies, and anesthesia), obtain fluid or tissue samples, perform biopsy techniques, etc.
• Administers medications, vaccinations, allergy testing and others as defined by the duty clinicians.
• Applies clinical job knowledge and competence to the management of the patient.
• With oversight by a DVM, applies clinical job knowledge and competence to diagnosis, treatment, and care.
• Delivers outstanding customer service including (for example) greeting and receiving patients and clients in a professional, caring and courteous manner, answering phone calls promptly, responding to clients, co-workers, and medical staff needs and requests, redirecting calls, etc.
• Answers questions and explains or demonstrates procedures and equipment for clients, residents, interns, senior veterinary students, and technician students.
• Under the direction of DVM performs record-keeping tasks related to medical procedures, including recording of: procedures completed, supplies used, patient status, client communications, census information, etc.
• Responsible for ensuring that all services and supplies are charged according to the hospital fee schedule. May prepare and maintain a daily service schedule including facilities such as operating rooms, specialty areas, pharmacies, etc.
• Must adhere to VMC safety and infection control policies and procedures.
• Must have the ability to work in a clinical setting.

Other Functions

• Assists in other service areas; develops skills that are cross functional and uses time efficiently including helping other areas of the hospital.
• Maintains a clean environment in the hospital area and ensures that these areas are adequately ordered, stocked and that equipment is in working order.
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor, Clinician, or Director

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal skills (is courteous, respectful, trustworthy, keeps commitments. has a strong work ethic)
• Must possess a teaching and service orientation as well as a positive attitude
• Uses resources wisely and is available and approachable to his/her team and others
• Understands and works within clinical scope of position
• Communicates (speaks/listens/responds) in a positive and timely manner to staff, coworkers and supervisor
• Looks for and supports quality improvement, supports the mission and values of the VMC and displays organizational citizenship behavior

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This will be determined on a case by case basis in conjunction with Disability Services

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to:
  • Stand, walk, sit, push, pull
  • Use hands to finger, hold, handle or feel animals or objects, tools or controls
  • Reach with hands and arms
  • Restrain animals with both hands and arms
  • Climb stairs
  • Balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
  • Talk or hear, taste or smell
  • The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds without assistance
  • Occasionally lift and/or move over 50 pounds with assistance
  • Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus

Work Environment

• This work is generally performed at The University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, and at the Veterinary Medical Center
• This work environment may include exposure to noise, bright/low lighting, temperature variations, animal bodily fluids and waste, and allergens such as mold, dust, hay and animal hair and dander

Supervision

• Immediate supervisor - Supervisor; Clinical Manager
• Work direction given by - Supervisor; Clinician, Clinical Manager, Director

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), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.