Job Description
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).
Full Consideration Date:
Friday, July 10th, 2026, 11:59pm (MT). This position will remain open until filled.
Description of Work Unit:
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 what's 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.
Essential Job Duties:
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 hospital's 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 student's performance. This ensures students develop essential clinical skills while protecting patient welfare-work 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 patient's 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 hospital's 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.
Conditions of Employment:
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.
Supervision:
None
Minimum Qualifications:
Associate or bachelor's 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: https://www.cacvt.org/registration-faqs
The 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.
Preferred Qualifications:
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
Application Instructions:
This position will remain open until filled. For full consideration, please apply by Friday, July 10th, 2026, 11:59pm (MT). Interested applicants must submit a cover letter that addresses how professional experiences align with the required and preferred qualifications, and a current resume. References will be requested for finalists at a later date and will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
CSU is committed to the full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you need assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the VTH HR staff at vth_hr@colostate.edu.
Salary Range
$43,788 - $52,548
Required Application Documents
To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Cover Letter, Resume/CV
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that's transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
Review our detailed benefits information here. (http://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)
Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator. (http://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/)
Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!
Background Check Policy Statement
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 regulations, CSU conducts 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.
EEO
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.
Inspired by its land-grant heritage, Colorado State University is committed to excellence and engagement, setting the standard for public research universities in teaching, research, service and extension for the benefit of the citizens of Colorado, the United States, and the world.
Prospective Employees, click here to learn more about CSU's perks and purpose. (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/)
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