Assistant Veterinary Surgery Technician Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Veterinary Surgical Technician

Provide skilled surgical support for shelter animals who need a second chance.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is seeking a skilled and compassionate Veterinary Surgical Technician to support surgical care for animals in our shelter. This role is an essential part of the ARL’s shelter medical team, helping ensure animals receive safe, high-quality care before, during, and after surgical procedures.

This is a great opportunity for someone with veterinary technician, surgical, shelter medicine, animal care, or hands-on medical animal handling experience who thrives in a fast-paced environment and wants to make a meaningful difference for animals in need.

Schedule

• Full-time position
• Monday through Friday – 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Schedule may include occasional weekdays, weekends, holidays, and varying shifts based on shelter medical and surgical needs.

About the Animal Rescue League of Iowa

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is Iowa’s largest nonprofit animal welfare organization, helping animals and the people who love them through sheltering, adoption, veterinary care, animal services, community programs, and pet support resources.

Across multiple locations and programs in the Des Moines metro, the ARL works every day to provide compassionate care, practical support, and trusted resources for animals and families in our community.

About the Shelter Medical Team

The ARL shelter medical team provides care for animals currently housed at the ARL, including animals who are sick, injured, recovering, awaiting adoption, or in need of surgical support. The Veterinary Surgical Technician plays an important role in helping animals receive safe, compassionate care while supporting positive medical outcomes.

What You’ll Do

• Support surgical procedures by preparing patients, surgical spaces, instruments, equipment, and supplies.
• Administer anesthesia and monitor patients before, during, and after surgical procedures.
• Assist veterinarians during surgery and other medical procedures.
• Maintain a clean, sanitary, and organized surgical environment.
• Monitor patient comfort, safety, and recovery following procedures.
• Enter surgical data for inpatients and outpatients and maintain accurate medical records.

• Track, document, and maintain controlled substances according to established procedures.
• Assist with medical evaluations, treatments, or procedures outside of surgery as needed.
• Use purposeful and compassionate animal handling to support stress and disease reduction.
• Follow ARL policies, medical protocols, safety procedures, and sanitation standards.

What We’re Looking For

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Active Veterinary Technician Certification or equivalent veterinary work experience preferred but not required.
• Two or more years of animal care, animal handling, shelter, veterinary, or related experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with anesthesia, surgical support, patient monitoring, or shelter medicine preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment.
• Strong communication, customer service, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to use sound judgment and resolve concerns professionally.
• Basic math skills required.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite required.
• Passion for animal welfare and high-quality surgical care.

Benefits for Full-Time Employees

The ARL is proud to offer competitive, market-driven compensation and a mission-focused culture. In addition, a variety of benefits are available to full-time employees including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-paid long-term disability and basic life insurance

• Supplemental insurances, including short-term disability, supplemental life insurance, accident, and critical illness insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with an employer contribution
• Veterinary benefits 
• Work-life balance through our expansive holiday and paid time off policies
• Educational reimbursement opportunities for approved veterinary-related coursework
• Potential reimbursement assistance for approved Veterinary Technician/CVT education programs

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

This position works in an active animal shelter, medical, and surgical environment and may require frequent standing, walking, bending, lifting, cleaning, safely handling animals, and assisting with surgical and medical procedures. Candidates must be able to frequently lift up to 50 pounds.

The role may involve exposure to animals, animal odors, animal waste, moderate noise, medical equipment, anesthetic gases, contagious or zoonotic diseases, cleaning products, and the possibility of bites or scratches while following established safety procedures.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Why Join the ARL?

As a Veterinary Surgical Technician, your work helps shelter animals receive the surgical care, comfort, and support they need while they are in ARL care. You will work closely with veterinarians and a dedicated shelter medical team in a mission-driven environment where your skills directly impact the health and recovery of animals in need.

If you are compassionate, detail-oriented, and passionate about providing high-quality surgical care for shelter animals, we would love to have you join our team.

Employment in this position is at-will, meaning either the employee or the ARL may end the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, as permitted by law.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state law. Applicants and employees are encouraged to discuss potential accommodations as needed.