Lab Animal Research Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Position Title:Vet Tech I Temporary – Large Animal Intensive Care Unit

Job Group:Merit

Required Minimum Qualifications:• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in a veterinary technology program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) or the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), and • Registered, licensed, or certified as a veterinary technician within one year of the start date.

Job Description:

Job Description:

At Iowa State University’s Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center (LVMC), you’ll work alongside a collaborative team of experts dedicated to excellence in diagnosis, treatment, and education—while making a meaningful impact on the future of veterinary medicine.

Under the direction and supervision of a licensed veterinarian, this position provides advanced care for ill and injured equine and farm animal patients. The technician supports a wide range of medical and surgical procedures and plays an integral role in a dynamic teaching environment that includes veterinary students, interns, and residents.

This role offers the opportunity to work with a diverse population of large animal species in a fast‑paced hospital setting, contributing to high-quality patient care, efficient hospital operations, and hands-on clinical training.

Under the direction and supervision of a licensed Veterinarian, provides intermediate care for ill and injured animal patients or animals used in a research or hospital setting. May perform veterinary care, animal husbandry, and basic technical skills with fourth-year veterinary students. Provides assistance to students, Veterinarians, and investigative staff in their treatment of animals, teaching, or research functions. Position operates within standard guidelines and alternatives that are known, and any deviation from such requires prior approval. Guidance and mentorship can be provided by Veterinary Technician II or III.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists with basic nursing care on American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification level I and II patients, which are considered healthy or with mild systemic disease. Nursing care to include but not limited to: monitoring body functions (temperature, respiration, heartbeat, amount and frequency of food consumptions, defecation, urination etc.) and noting abnormalities; placing and maintaining intravenous catheters; administering fluids and medications orally, parenterally, and enterally; and performing other basic treatments.

• Collects and processes samples for research, diagnostic, and clinical purposes.

• Assists with basic preparatory procedures on various animal species and assists staff members in surgical, medical, or laboratory procedure preparation, including instrument and supply set up.

• Administers anesthesia and monitors patient response through the recovery period for ASA I-II patients.

• Maintains orderly and sanitary work areas for clinical, teaching, and research facilities.

• Stocks and organizes patient exam rooms, treatment areas, holding areas and operating rooms.

• May assist with entering hospital costs and medical records into the computer to create accurate records for billing accounts.

• Assists with set up, inventory, maintenance, security, and repairs for equipment and instruments used in surgical procedures, emergencies and/or lab sessions.

• Utilizes ultrasound machines and x-rays, assist with MRI, or other related imaging equipment for patient diagnostics.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of animal health and welfare - animal isolation, sample collection, medical treatment, nursing and monitoring, pre & post-surgical requirements including room and supply preparation.

• Knowledge of pharmacology - dosage, calculations, and usage.

• Knowledge of animal husbandry - animal feeding, watering, grooming, handling, safe transporting, and environmental requirements.

• Knowledge of record maintenance - collecting and recording data.

• Knowledge of trimming, clipping, or grooming animals.

• Knowledge of teaching and/or demonstration of safe animal handling.

• Knowledge of regulatory requirements (Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service, etc.).

• Ability to handle, restrain, move, load, and unload animals.

• Ability to administer medication - topical, injectable, oral, and rectal.

• Ability to check and interpret vital signs.

• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 70 pounds.

• Ability to instruct and demonstrate veterinary techniques in handling, grooming, and nursing animals.

• Ability to interact in a professional capacity.

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

• Ability to prioritize daily tasks.

• Ability to work in high stress environments.

• Knowledge of computers, computerized medical record systems, and word processing software, such as Microsoft Word and Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with restraining animals.

• Experience working in veterinary setting.

• Prior experience with large animals

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover LetterIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Appointment Type:Temporary (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:April 27, 2027

Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period

Time Type:Part time

Pay Grade:7601a

Original Posting Date: April 14, 2026

Posting Close Date:

Job Requisition Number:R18988

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.

Current employees (excluding temporary, student and graduate assistants) must apply through the Workday Internal Careers Hub (https://www.myworkday.com/isu/d/task/2998$46522.htmld?reloadToken=892f884ef9c2fa7e5e6257ecf4e9e942f7aa1a12df75918c6ce41bc78e123167) .

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.

If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.