Surgical Anesthesia Veterinary Technician

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Job Category:

University Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Veterinary Technician III

Job Summary:

This is an advanced veterinary technician role specializing in surgery, anesthesia, and pain management. The position integrates into a team of veterinarians, technicians, assistants, and care staff delivering comprehensive veterinary services to support the daily operations of the WNPRC. The main responsibility is to fulfill the colony’s clinical and research needs for anesthesia and surgery, collaborating closely with University of Wisconsin scientists and partners.

Beyond assisting in clinical duties typical of a Veterinary Technician 1 or 2, the candidate works autonomously within the surgery and anesthesia team, managing aspects of surgical care and anesthesia for a large colony of nonhuman primates. They also oversee and update specialized veterinary equipment. Additionally, they mentor junior staff across all veterinary technical support tasks and continue providing technical assistance to veterinary professionals as needed.

This role requires the individual to be self-reliant, confident, and skilled, with solid knowledge of veterinary medicine, aseptic techniques, wound care, anesthesia, pain relief, data management—such as spreadsheets and animal health records—and excellent time management skills.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Keeps records of all controlled substances and inventory records

Prepares, completes, monitors, and documents complex technical animal care procedures and work unit activities, assessments, and medication administration according to established care plans and medical necessity

Assists veterinarians and researchers in animal care, diagnostic, preventative, research, anesthesia, surgery, post-operative care, euthanasia and radiology procedures under minimal supervision. May perform minor surgical procedures or other minor invasive procedures

Maintains records regarding animal treatments, medications, diagnostic procedures, and illness

May assist in data collection or reporting for designated aspects of research, animal care programs, or colony management

Schedules and performs routine testing and vaccinations on United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulated animals

Assists in training new veterinary and/or animal care technicians and supervises work as appropriate

Maintains surgical support facilities in sanitized, well-stocked, and in orderly manner; and ensures that preventative maintenance of equipment is performed

Department: WNPRC Veterinary Services Unit

Compensation: Starting hourly rate for a Veterinary Technician III is $26.50/hour

Required Qualifications:

The applicant must be a currently credentialed veterinary technician/nurse in good standing in Wisconsin, or be able to become legally credentialed to practice in Wisconsin.

Preferred Qualifications:

At least three years of relevant experience in anesthesia and surgical assistance or participation is strongly preferred.

Experience with Excel and Google Sheets

Formal or informal experience teaching technical skills to new staff members or students

Ability to work independently within the support structure of the anesthesia team

Good time management skills

Knowledge of and the ability to perform routine maintenance on veterinary equipment such as multi-parameter monitors, anesthesia machines, and surgical instruments

Knowledge and Skills:

Knowledge of standards for quality animal care and proper procedures associated with handling animals, preferably nonhuman primates.

Knowledge of and ability to maintain and operate equipment utilized in unit (e.g., anesthesia machines, monitoring devices, ultrasonic cleaner, autoclave, gas sterilization chambers, etc.).

Knowledge and ability to perform clinical triage & initial emergency intervention.

Knowledge, skill and ability to perform or assist surgeon in major invasive clinical surgeries; dental care; wound care and primary closure of minor lacerations.

Knowledge of complications associated with pre- and post-operative care; appropriate reactions to and requirements for each complication.

Knowledge of anesthesia techniques and principles.

Knowledge of aseptic techniques and principles.

Knowledge of behavior and health requirements in one or more species and willingness to learn abnormal animal behavior.

Knowledge of common computer programs and electronic medical records systems.

Strong oral and written communications skills required.

Strong interpersonal skills. This position requires a pleasant, conscientious, team player attitude.

Crisis Decision skill ability: It is critical that the successful applicant knows his/her own limitations and what he/she can or cannot do. This includes not only knowing the limitations of their skills but also what decisions or actions may only be done und

Education:

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology or equivalent

How to Apply:

We are eager to learn more about how your experience and passion may align with this position. Please submit a cover letter referring to your related work experience and a resume detailing your educational and professional background. Please keep in mind, applicants need to articulate all required qualifications in their cover letter and/or resume. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine who may advance to preliminary interviews. Applicants will also be asked to provide 3 professional references, including phone and email addresses. We will not contact your current supervisor without advance notice.

Additional Information:

Requires the ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs independently, and physical and manual dexterity to perform specialized technical tasks.

Position requires the ability to stand for up to 75 percent of the time.

Physical ability to lift, sit, stand, bend, reach, squat, twist and push to safely handle and care for the nonhuman primates.

Must be TB negative

Must be comfortable working around or directly with infectious diseases

Applicant will be required to provide proof of immunization for measles or have a measles titer within the first week of employment. Depending on the results of the blood test, applicant may need to be immunized.

Allergies to animals must be controlled by medication.

Must possess a valid driver's license that meets standards of UW Risk Management in order to operate WNPRC vehicles.

Criminal background check is required.

University sponsorship is not available for this position, including transfers of sponsorship. The selected applicant will be responsible for ensuring their continuous eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. This position is an ongoing position that will require continuous work eligibility. UW-Madison is not an E-Verify employer, and therefore, is not eligible to employ F1 STEM OPT Extension participants. If you are selected for this position, you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work.

The Wisconsin National Primate Research Center (WNPRC) is one of seven federally supported National Primate Research Centers and the only one in the Midwest. WNPRC's mission is to increase the understanding of basic primate biology and to improve human health and quality of life through research. To accomplish this, the WNPRC helps discover treatments, preventions and cures for human disease; generates new knowledge of primate biology, from the molecular and whole animal levels to the understanding of pr