Entry Level Veterinary Assistant Jobs in Wisconsin

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Job Category: University Staff
Employment Type: Terminal (Fixed Term)
Job Profile: Veterinary Technician I
Job Summary:
UW Veterinary Care (UWVC) is excited to welcome dedicated veterinary technicians to our Primary Care team. Whether you're an experienced Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) or a recent CVT graduate, we want to hear from you and we provide comprehensive training!
As the only veterinary teaching hospital in the state, UWVC offers a unique opportunity to blend your passion for animal care with the chance to mentor and train the veterinarians of tomorrow. If you're looking to make a meaningful impact in your career, UWVC is the place for you. Enjoy generous benefits and competitive pay while helping shape the future of veterinary medicine.
Explore a career with us and see how UWVC can be the perfect environment for your professional growth!
This is a full-time, 40-hours a week position. The expected schedule for this vacancy will be Monday through Friday, 8-hour shifts between the hours of 7:30am - 5:30pm, with a 30-minute unpaid lunch. Occasional on-call may be needed, as required by the hospital.
Incumbent will be hired on a terminal project position. This position will have an expected end date of 1-year from the date of hire with the opportunity to extend based on department needs.
Key Job Responsibilities:

• Assists with the execution of more complex animal care procedures and affiliated activities

• Provide technical support to assigned small animal services

• Monitors animal health status and records, notifies veterinarian when status changes, and ensures care plans are completed and recorded in the medical record

• Assist in the management of client communications via phone, email, and in person, including scheduling and coordinating appointments.

• Prepares, completes, and documents basic technical animal care procedures, assessments, and medication administration according to established care plans and medical necessity

• Collaborate with faculty veterinarians to ensure consistent patient care and smooth clinical operations.

• Serves as a point of contact for animal owners and stakeholders providing information and answering questions

• Tracks supply inventory levels and places replenishment orders

• Documents and disseminates results to the appropriate entities

• Completes routine laboratory tests and collects specimen according to established medical orders and care plans

• Contribute to a positive, collaborative learning environment for clients, students, faculty, and staff.

• Maintains organization of and updates records related to medical procedures and billing

• Work directly with the technical team to maintain high standards of patient care, hospital cleanliness, and equipment readiness.

• Support veterinary students in clinical skill development by demonstrating technical procedures, providing feedback, and modeling professional communication with clients and colleagues.

• Facilitate patient flow during appointments to ensure efficiency and a positive client and patient experience.

• Provide high-quality technical support for small animal primary care services, including patient restraint, sample collection, diagnostic testing, anesthesia monitoring, and nursing care.

• Assist in maintaining accurate medical records and ensuring compliance with hospital protocols.

• Participate in teaching and mentoring activities, including supervision of veterinary students during clinical rotations.

Department:
School of Veterinary Medicine
UW Veterinary Care (UWVC) Hospital
Primary Care/ Primary Care Dentistry
Compensation:
The starting hourly rate for the position is $21.00 (but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications).
UW Veterinary Care offers competitive wages (including night and weekend differential, if applicable), outstanding employee benefitshttps://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/new-employee-benefits-enrollment/benefits-for-employees-covered-by-the-wrs/ample paid time offhttps://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/leave/paid-leave/, financial support for continuing education and pursuing specialty certification, referral bonuses, an annual shoe allowance, and a yearly provision of hospital-branded clothing.
This position is being posted at Vet Tech levels 1, 2 and 3. Level and pay are commensurate with experience.
Required Qualifications:

• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds independently
• Knowledge of basic nursing skills, including patient care and record keeping
• Knowledge of safe animal restraint techniques
• Ability to perform venipuncture and collect laboratory samples
• Effective communication and teamwork abilities
• Demonstrated reliability, initiative and proactive problem-solving

This position is posted at Vet Tech levels 1, 2 and 3. Level is determined by qualifications based on type of prior veterinary tech experience:

• To qualify for Level 1: Entry level, new CVT grad with minimal experience
• To qualify for Level 2: Generally, over 2 years of veterinary tech experience, may substitute years of experience for specialization
• To qualify for Level 3: Veterinary Tech Specialist (VTS), or highly qualified and specialized in a specific area, may have prior experience from another university hospital

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with electronic medical records and scheduling systems
• Knowledge of fear-free or low-stress handling techniques

Education:

• Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) Required
• High School Diploma Required
• Associates Degree Preferred

How to Apply:
Begin the online application process by clicking the 'Apply' button. You will be asked to submit a current resume.
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.
The deadline for assuring full consideration is August 15, 2026; however, the position will remain open and applications may be considered until the position is filled.
Contact Information:
Hiring Manager: Jennifer Borgen, Veterinary Nurse Supervisor, jennifer.borgen@wisc.edu
Human Resources Support: April Schulz, HR Manager, ajschulz2@wisc.edu
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Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
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Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgroundsand encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.
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