Veterinary Technician Assistant - AZ - Large Animal Clinic - College of Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary Technician Assistant

The Veterinary Technician Assistant supports the Large Animal Clinic of the Animal Health Institute by providing high-quality patient care, husbandry support, clinical assistance, and student support for equine, bovine, small ruminant, and porcine patients. This role assists veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary students in delivering exceptional patient care while maintaining a safe, clean, and efficient teaching hospital environment.

Veterinary Technician Assistants are placed into a Level I or Level II role based on demonstrated competency, experience, professionalism, independence, and teaching hospital support skills. Advancement through levels reflects increased autonomy, technical proficiency, patient care responsibility, and contribution to student education and hospital operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (all levels)

• Assist veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary students with patient examinations, treatments, diagnostics, and procedures.
• Safely handle and restrain equine, bovine, small ruminant, porcine, and other large animal species as appropriate.
• Assist with patient movement, transport, loading, unloading, and positioning.
• Prepare animals for examinations, procedures, hospitalization, and transport.
• Assist in providing patient comfort, cleanliness, and stress reduction.
• Feed, water, and provide daily husbandry care according to hospital protocols.
• Clean and maintain stalls, pens, paddocks, treatment areas, isolation spaces, and clinical workspaces.
• Prepare, organize, clean, and restock clinical supplies and equipment.
• Clean, disinfect, and store equipment according to established protocols.
• Follow all hospital safety, biosecurity, infection control, and isolation procedures.
• Observe patients and promptly communicate abnormalities or changes in condition to clinicians and technicians.
• Utilize the forklift and tractor safely (professional training provided)
• Support veterinary student learning within the teaching hospital environment.
• Maintain accurate communication with faculty, staff, students, and fellow team members.
• Participate in continuing education and competency development.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the Large Animal Clinic.
• Transport faculty and students by following Arizona driving laws.
• Other duties as assigned.

Level I Developing Veterinary Technician Assistant

In addition to Core Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates safe, calm, and controlled handling of horses and cattle based on temperament and clinical setting.
• Adheres to all hospital safety, biosecurity, PPE, and infection control protocols.
• Provides daily husbandry care including feeding, watering, stall cleaning, and patient comfort support.
• Safely prepares animals for examinations, procedures, and transport.
• Assists with basic clinical procedures, treatments, and physical restraint under supervision.
• Maintains clean, organized, and hazard-free clinical and patient care areas.
• Observe patient behavior and condition and promptly reports abnormalities or concerns.
• Demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and effective communication with clinicians, students, and staff.
• Accept coaching and feedback while developing clinical skills and hospital knowledge.
• Works collaboratively within a multidisciplinary teaching hospital environment.

Level II Proficient Veterinary Technician Assistant

In addition to Core Responsibilities:

• Independently prepares examination, treatment, and procedure areas while maintaining cleanliness, organization, and biosecurity standards.
• Anticipates clinician needs and prepares supplies, equipment, instruments, and patients for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
• Safely handles and transports a variety of large animal species using low-stress handling techniques.
• Assists with advanced clinical procedures including catheter placement support, bandaging, wound care, diagnostic testing, and laboratory procedures within scope of training.
• Accurately obtains and records patient vital signs and recognizes subtle changes requiring escalation.
• Maintains aseptic technique and supports infection prevention through proper isolation, disinfection, and biosecurity practices.
• Supports veterinary student learning through demonstration, coaching, and explanation of routine procedures.
• Assists with workflow coordination, inventory readiness, and clinical efficiency.
• Demonstrates initiative, accountability, and sound judgment with minimal supervision.
• Serves as a positive role model for Level 1 assistants and contributes to continuous improvement of hospital operations.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must have regular, predictable, in-person attendance and be able to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.

Other Qualifications

• Experience working with horses, cattle, or other large animal species preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with students, clinicians, staff, and clients.
• Dedication to patient care, animal welfare, and client service.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Ability to adapt in a dynamic teaching hospital environment.
• Commitment to teamwork, continuous learning, and professional development.
• Valid Arizona driver's license

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.

Level I:

• Previous large animal handling experience
• Veterinary assistant, agricultural, equine, livestock, ranching, or animal care experience preferred.

Level II:

• Minimum 2 years of progressively responsible large animal veterinary assistant experience preferred.
• Demonstrated competency in patient monitoring, biosecurity, and advanced clinical support activities.
• Ability to work independently while supporting veterinary students and clinicians.

General Knowledge

• Understand the scope of large animal veterinary medicine and husbandry practices.
• Be familiar with common breeds, behavior, and handling techniques for equine, bovine, small ruminant, and porcine species.
• Follow OSHA standards. Be able to locate Material Safety Data Sheets quickly.
• Know and use standard medical and business abbreviations.
• Use proper medical terminology and spelling when speaking and writing.
• Be familiar with infectious diseases, biosecurity principles, zoonotic diseases, and disease transmission prevention practices.

Computer Skills

Ability to learn veterinary practice information management software. Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Physical Demands

Must be able to stand for long periods and lift animals or equipment up to 40 pounds without assistance. Assist in lifting or moving heavier animals with team support.

Animal Allergies Statement

No inhibiting allergies to animals, hay, dust, or agricultural environments.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.