Veterinary Technician II Anesthesia

This work unit exists to anesthetize animals for general elective procedures (dental work cast application etc.); diagnostic tests (physical exams endoscopic exams etc.); and for routine and emergency surgeries. The department also instructs veterinary students visiting veterinarians and technicians on the principles and practice of veterinary anesthesia by allowing students to anesthetize clinical animals and guiding the students through preanesthetic patient evaluation the choice of anesthetic agents and the process of monitoring the anesthetized patient. We strive to provide exceptional patient care on a daily basis. This position has a flexible schedule with daytime hours between 7 am-5:30 pm Monday through Friday offering either 4 (10) hour shifts or 5 (8) hour shifts and is cross-trained in all areas of the Anesthesia service (i.e. large and small animal research and Continuing Education).

Friday July 10th 2026 11:59pm (MT). This position will remain open until filled.

At the CSU Veterinary Health System animals and the people who care for them are at the heart of everything we do. Every decision we make reflects our commitment to those who trust us with their animals health. That focus inspires us to deliver expert veterinary services support veterinary education and training and advance groundbreaking research.

We show up every day with passion eagerness to collaborate and a drive to redefine whats possible. Our deep partnership with the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences amplifies our impact enabling us to boldly innovate and share knowledge widely.

• Instruct veterinary students and technician interns in safe effective anesthetic planning and delivery. Guides DVM students and FRCC veterinary technician interns through the process of evaluating patient status interpreting lab work and diagnostics and selecting appropriate anesthetic agents for clinical patients. This task ensures students develop competency while maintaining patient safety and removing it would eliminate essential hands-on learning central to the hospitals teaching mission.
• Coach students through anesthesia procedures and technical skills. Teaches and supervises the steps of IV catheterization induction intubation monitoring setup and maintenance of anesthesia adjusting the level of assistance based on each students performance. This ensures students develop essential clinical skills while protecting patient welfarework that cannot be delegated and is unique to the educational environment.
• Provide real-time clinical guidance during complex or high-risk anesthetic scenarios. Supports students who are anxious or uncertain when assigned patients with multiple comorbidities. Reviews the patients conditions explains how anesthesia may impact each issue and guides the student through appropriate drug and protocol selection. This occurs frequently throughout each shift and is critical to both patient safety and student development.
• Evaluate and modify student anesthetic plans to prevent unsafe practices. Reviews student-created anesthetic plans and independently determines when changes are necessary due to medication contraindications dosing concerns or procedure complexity. This task protects patient safety and ensures that educational experiences meet hospital and accreditation standards.
• Develop and implement individualized anesthetic plans for small large and exotic species. Evaluates patient history diagnostics comorbidities and procedural needs to select appropriate premedication induction and maintenance protocols. This task ensures safe anesthetic delivery and is central to the purpose of the position; removing it would eliminate the hospitals ability to provide anesthesia-supported procedures.
• Administer and monitor general anesthesia for routine complex and emergency procedures. Predicates induces intubates and maintains anesthesia while continuously interpreting physiologic parameters and adjusting depth ventilation fluids and analgesia to maintain patient stability. This highly specialized work is foundational to all surgical and diagnostic operations.
• Recognize and manage anesthetic complications in real time. Responds immediately to issues such as hypotension blood loss arrhythmias and respiratory compromise by determining whether to administer fluids blood products ventilation changes or emergency drugs. These situations occur frequently and require expert judgment; failure to perform this task would jeopardize patient safety.
• Lead initial resuscitative efforts during anesthetic emergencies. Initiates CPR administers emergency drugs and coordinates team response when patients arrest under anesthesia such as during thoracotomies or other high-risk surgeries. This rapid specialized intervention is critical to patient survival and requires advanced skills not shared by general staff.

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
• Essential Services Designation: Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health safety and welfare.

None

• Associate or bachelors degree in veterinary technology
• 2 years of experience in a primary anesthesia role (academia or specialty practice)
• Registered as a Veterinary Technician (VT) or Provisional Veterinary Technician (PVT) through the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) or eligibility to obtain a state of Colorado DORA license by start date.
• Credentialed in the State of Colorado or other eligible state determined by CACVT.
• Graduate of accredited veterinary technician program with greater than two (2) years experience in veterinary medicine. *Please note a transcript or diploma must be attached to this application to demonstrate graduation from the vet tech program. SUBSTITUTIONS: Candidates can qualify without graduation from a veterinary technician program if they demonstrate 3 years of veterinary medicine experience.

NOTE: VETERINARY PRACTICE ACT Effective January 1 2024 anyone wanting to use the titles Registered Veterinary Technician Veterinary Technician RVT or VT will have to be certified through the Colorado Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians (CACVT) AND registered through the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). Please visit the CACVT website for more information: successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the date of hire; the department will not be offering visa sponsorship.

• Excellent Technical Skills
• Proficient in IV catheter placement
• Proficient in Endotracheal intubation
• Knowledge of proper anesthetic monitoring
• Knowledge of anesthetic drugs
• Knowledge of proper animal restraint including fear-free technique
• Ability to work well within a team environment.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude and foster a healthy working environment.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment that is always changing.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• Strong attention to detail

• Review our detailed benefits information here.

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Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study work and living environment for its faculty staff volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulationsCSUconducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include but is not limited to criminal history sex offender registry motor vehicle history financial history and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when in the discretion of the University it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws.