Veterinary Assistant

Company: Evolution Veterinary Specialists
Location: Lakewood
Posted on: April 28, 2025

Job Description:

ER & ICU Registered Veterinary Technician

Hourly Payrate: $21.00 - $35.00 (Dependent on Experience and Skill Set)

EVS asks all RVT candidates to complete a Technician Leveling Test during the interview process. This test measures math skills, critical thinking, and medication administration for RVT levels I, II & III.

Job Summary:

This technician is a vital member of the Emergency and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) teams, supporting compassionate, high-quality care for critically ill and emergent patients. They work closely with ER and ICU doctors to triage and stabilize emergencies, manage hospitalized ICU cases, and assist with procedures such as catheter placement, laceration repair, oxygen therapy (including high-flow), and thoracocentesis. The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in emergency and critical care medicine, medical math, and clinical reasoning, with a calm, focused approach under pressure. They understand the long-term needs of ICU patients, including nutrition support, transfusions, and fluid therapy. Above all, they bring a passion for patient care, a commitment to learning, and a collaborative, team-oriented mindset.

Education & Experience:

• Required: Current RVT License and Registration with DORA.
• Preferred: College (AS/BS/BA).
• Preferred: Minimum of 1 years' experience as an RVT, preferably in an ER or ICU setting.
• Preferred: BLS/ALS CPR certifications.
• Preferred: Experience with handling and treating ZCA patients. Job Duties & Responsibilities:
  • Greet clients and obtain thorough patient histories, body weights, and vital signs for patients.
  • Recognize abnormal physical exam findings and communicate concerns clearly to the DVM.
  • Perform triage assessments and identify emergent conditions or subtle changes in clinical status.
  • Participate in care planning, demonstrating critical thinking and anticipating patient and DVM needs.
  • Perform venipuncture from multiple sites (cephalic, jugular, lateral/medial saphenous), and place/maintain IV catheters and central/sampling lines.
  • Administer medications via IV, IM, SQ, and PO with understanding of drug classes, routes, and side effects.
  • Calculate drug dosages, additives (KCl, dextrose), and CRIs including fentanyl, Reglan, and pressors; demonstrate strong knowledge of medical math.
  • Perform and monitor blood transfusions, including blood typing, crossmatching, and recognizing transfusion reactions.
  • Run and interpret in-house diagnostics (PCV/TS, glucose, lactate, blood gases, coags, cytology, VCM, fecals, ketones).
  • Use and troubleshoot lab equipment (Heska, IDEXX, Abaxis); prepare samples for submission to reference labs.
  • Set up and manage oxygen therapy (nasal cannulas, Snyder cages, high-flow O2, peripheral oxygen cages).
  • Recognize changes in respiratory effort, patterns, and sounds; escalate concerns appropriately.
  • Perform radiographs including horizontal beam with appropriate positioning while maintaining safety standards.
  • Anesthesia induction, intubation, monitoring, and recovery of patients undergoing procedures, recognizing concerns/abnormalities with ETCO2, SpO2, ECG, heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate; independently run anesthesia on ASA IIII patients and assist or preference for proficiency in running anesthesia with ASA IVV cases.
  • Place and maintain feeding tubes (NG, NE), urinary catheters, and central/sampling lines. Set up for placement of and maintain chest tubes, Jackson-Pratt drains, and E-tubes.
  • Calculate and monitor nutritional needs, including RER and dietary restrictions for specific disease states.
  • Perform wound care, assist with procedures (laceration repair, biopsies, abdominocentesis, thoracocentesis), and maintain sterile fields.
  • Prepare and assist DVM with emergency interventions (gastric lavage, trocarization, scope procedures).
  • Recognize and support patients with critical conditions (IMHA, ITP, DKA, CHF, CKD, snake envenomation).
  • Demonstrate curiosity and initiative by investigating unfamiliar medications, procedures, or diseases.
  • Provide medical care and husbandry support to ZCA species; administer medications and assist with diagnostics.
  • Educate clients on treatment plans, discharge instructions, medication administration, and follow-up care.
  • Communicate effectively with clients, including updates on hospitalized or emergency patients.
  • Actively listen and participate in patient rounds and collaborative cross-departmental case discussions.
  • Ensure complete and accurate documentation and charging in Instinct and Ezyvet.
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safe hospital environment.
  • Proficient in CPR Recover protocols and roles including chest compressions, intubation, ventilation, drug administration, ECG use, and recording.
  • Maintain Cubex proficiency with minimal discrepancies. Other duties as assigned; this list is not exhaustive, & employer reserves the right to assign additional tasks & responsibilities as needed.
    
    Skills & General Job Requirements:
    • Clear and consistent communication.
    • Time management and organization.
    • Confidence in working independently when needed and as a team.
    • Open to collaboration with department(s), other department technicians, doctors, and administrative staff.
    • Prioritize safety and care in operating all equipment and handling all species of patients.
    • Strong emotional intelligence and de-escalation skills (client and staff).
    • Ability to explain treatment and charges/invoices to clients when necessary.
    • Knowledge of OSHA and AAHA standards and regulations.
    • Customer service.
    • High attention to detail.
    • Multitask with ease.
    • Commitment to always doing the best job possible and under all circumstances.
    • Confidence in working independently and making appropriate, informed decisions.
    • Enthusiasm for knowledge, innovation, learning, and growth in all aspects of the job. Schedule Expectations:
      • A full-time EVS employee averages at least 36 hours per work week.
      • Hours can vary based on the schedule of the Internist. Some holidays, weekends, swing shifts, overnights, and on-calls may be necessary to fill the needs of the hospital and service.
      • A typical schedule for a primary ER RVT consists of 4 x 10 hour shifts weekly.
      • A typical schedule for a primary ICU RVT consists of 3 x 12.5 hours shifts weekly.
        • Opportunities for on-call & overtime with management approval. Reports to: Department Lead(s), ER or ICU Supervisor, and Technician Manager
          Employment Status: Full-Time
          Supervisory Role: No
          
          About the hospital:
          EVS is a privately owned veterinary hospital, founded with dedication to patient care and providing all team members with opportunities for growth and job fulfillment. Unlike most corporate owned hospitals, you will work daily with the hospital owners and management who are committed to the hospital as well as your professional success.
          
          Mission statement: To provide elevated specialty and emergency veterinary care, fostering a compassionate and collaborative environment that supports pets and the people who care for them.
          
          Core values: BRITE: Best Medicine, Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Empathy.
          
          
          Evolution Veterinary Specialists is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is clear: there shall be no discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, or sexual orientation. We are an inclusive organization and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. We welcome all applications from a wide range of candidates. Selection for roles will be based on individual merit alone.
          
          
          Compensation details: 21-35
          
          
          
          PIa3f963d36879-31181-37476075Required
          Preferred

          Job Industries

          • Other

Keywords: Evolution Veterinary Specialists, Arvada , Veterinary Assistant, Healthcare , Lakewood, Colorado