Veterinary Nurse/Veterinary Technician, Behavior, SACS: College of Veterinary Medicine - UTIA

The College of Veterinary Medicine invites applicants to apply for the position of Veterinary Nurse, Behavior. The primary purpose of this position is to provide behavior-related nursing care, including assisting with behavioral research and providing classroom support. Secondary to this, the position serves as a rotating veterinary nurse, which includes communicating with clients, conducting research, and providing nursing care to patients. Incumbent serves as a resource of information and guidance. Position supports teaching efforts by instructing students, interns, and residents.

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 will be required of this position.

• This position provides nursing care for veterinary behavior clinic needs. In-clinic appointment duties primarily consist of assisting clinician management of patients, providing appropriate handling of patients for physical exams, obtaining and requesting diagnostic laboratory tests, performing minimal behavior modifications and assisting clinical students. Additionally, the candidate will communicate with existing clients, answer process questions for new clients, and assist other services with behavior-related needs. In addition, the position works in collaboration with team members to organize medical records, make schedule changes, facilitate pharmacy communications, and provide follow-up case management. Works in collaboration with team members to support promotional and educational materials for the UTCVM Behavior service.
• The position provides research and classroom support to the Veterinary Behaviorist in behavior- related courses, labs, and research. Research duties include, but are not limited to organizing and implementing schedules, procuring supplies, providing data collection and organization, facilitating participant communication, and ensuring regulatory compliance. For course support, attends and participates as requested, observes student rounds, and assists with evaluation and grading of students, etc. Additionally, this position assists with working to support behavior modification with research and herd animals in collaboration with IACUC and OLAC members.
• This role rotates between hospital services to provide veterinary nursing coverage when the respective service has an unusually large caseload, when the regular service technician is absent, and when no behavior clinic or research assistance is required. This includes assessing patients, performing triage, and preparing patients for exams or treatments. Performs prescribed diagnostic procedures and analyzes results. Records patients' medical histories, symptoms, and observations. Administers medication and treatment. Helps to establish a plan of care and confers with owner. Regularly communicates with supervising Clinician. Operates medical equipment. Collaborates with others to ensure quality patient care is received. Enters charges on patient accounts. Manages supplies, equipment, and inventory. Organizes products, maintains equipment, and orders supplies. Supports teaching efforts by instructing students, interns, and residents in the application of clinical skills according to specialty.
• Serves on-call schedule for holiday, weekend, and after-hours duties on a rotational basis in the SACS ICU/ECC service.
• Other hospital or clinical work as assigned.

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

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment visa status.

Veterinary Nurse 1:

Minimum Education:

• Must be a graduate of an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)- accredited program in Veterinary Technology with an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree. Upcoming graduates will be considered with the understanding that degree must be obtained prior to hire date.

Additional Requirements:

• Must obtain a license to practice in Tennessee within first year of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ideally 1 year of exposure to veterinary behavior and training.
• Certification through approved organization as an animal trainer within one year of employment (Fear Free, Cat-friendly and/or Low-Stress handling) ; preferred achievement within first 2 years of employment.

Veterinary Nurse 2:

Minimum Education:

• Must be a graduate of an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)- accredited program in Veterinary Technology with an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree.

Minimum Experience:

• 1 year of relevant experience in a veterinary medical center or in a private/specialty veterinary practice.

Additional Requirements:

• Must obtain a license to practice in Tennessee within first year of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification through approved organization as an animal trainer within one year of employment (Fear Free, Cat-friendly and/or Low-Stress handling); preferred achievement within first 2 years of employment.

Senior Veterinary Nurse 1:

Minimum Education:

• Must be a graduate of an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)- accredited program in Veterinary Technology with an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree.

Minimum Experience:

• 3 years of relevant experience in a veterinary medical center or in a private/specialty veterinary practice.

Additional Requirements:

• Must obtain a license to practice in Tennessee within first year of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification through approved organization as an animal trainer within one year of employment (Fear Free, Cat-friendly and/or Low-Stress handling) ; preferred achievement within first 2 years of employment.

Senior Veterinary Nurse 2:

Minimum Education:

• Must be a graduate of an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)- accredited program in Veterinary Technology with an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree.

Minimum Experience:

• 3 years of internal, relevant experience.
• 6 years of relevant experience in a veterinary medical center or 7 years in a private/specialty veterinary practice.

Additional Requirements:

• Must obtain a license to practice in Tennessee within first year of employment.
• Must have successfully completed requirements for credentials, examination, and certification as a Veterinary Technician Specialist in a NAVTA (National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America) recognized technician specialty organization.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification through approved organization as an animal trainer (Fear Free, Cat-friendly and/or Low-Stress handling); preferred achievement within first 2 years of employment.

Work Location:

• Knoxville, Tennessee
• On-Site

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range: 06-07
• Anticipated hiring range: $22.66-$30.90/hour
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

About The College

The UT College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM), located in Knoxville, was established by an act of the Tennessee Legislature in 1974 and is part of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.

UTCVM is one of 33 veterinary colleges in the United States and provides opportunities for Tennessee students while serving pet owners and the livestock industry as well as protecting public health, enhancing medical knowledge and generating economic benefits to the state and nation.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!