Veterinary Assistant, Large Animal Clinical Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine

The College of Veterinary Medicine invites applicants to apply for the position of Veterinary Assistant, located within the Large Animal Clinical Sciences department. The day-to-day responsibilities of a veterinary assistant are varied and essential to the overall well-being of animals under their care.

The primary purpose of this position is to provide quality care for patients and/or research animals by performing a variety of functions including but not limited to feeding, bathing, exercising, record keeping, restraint, and/or equipment operation. Provides cleaning and disinfection, stocks supply, and collects and disperses laundry.

Depending on experience and qualifications of successful candidate, individual will be hired in as a Veterinary Assistant 1, Veterinary Assistant 2, Senior Veterinary Assistant 1, or Senior Veterinary Assistant 2.

Typical Responsibilities:

• Performs animal restraint on various large animal species for physical exams and medical procedures, such as blood draws, urine collection, blood pressures, and injections.
• Prepares animal quarters with bedding, water, and other supplies.
• Feeds diets as prescribed to admitted patients.
• Exercises patients, using special care.
• Records daily observations such as livestock inventory and ration allotments.
• Assists in the admittance and discharge of patients.
• Assists with transport of animals, both live and deceased.
• Learns to operate equipment such as forklift, tractor, skid steer loader sprayers, treadmill, hot walker, float tank, slings, sled cattle chutes, both standard and 360.
• Cleans and disinfects animal quarters, treatment rooms, and other areas as needed.
• Unpacks and unloads supplies and places items in appropriate areas.
• Provides laundry collection and dispersement.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 1 year of relevant experience working with large animals, including but not limited to horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, llamas, and alpacas.

The Veterinary Medical Center is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, and 365 days per year. Occasional weekend, evening, or holiday work may be required of this position.