Kansas State University

About this Role:

The Veterinary Health Center (VHC) within the College of Veterinary Medicine is seeking a Veterinary Nurse. This position will help maintain an efficient Small Animal Medicine (Pet Health and Nutrition Center) Section by providing technical and minor instructional skills as necessary to provide services in the VHC.

Why Join Us:

Kansas State University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays. To see what benefits are available, please visit: https://www.k-state.edu/hcs/benefits 

We Support Diversity and Inclusion:

Kansas State University embraces diversity and promotes inclusion.  The University actively seeks individuals who foster a collegial environment and cooperative interactions with coworkers, students, and others.  The University is dedicated to promoting the Principles of Community.

Duties / Responsibilities:

Community Practice Services:

• Assist in orientation of professional veterinary students in the areas of admission of animals to Hospital wards, care of blood donors, care of patients, submission of diagnostic samples, performance of diagnostic tests, etc.
• Support diagnostic activities in Community Practices by assisting with clinical skills of veterinary students, to include: venipuncture, urinary catheterization and cytocentesis; animal restraint; IV catheterization; injection techniques; otoscopic exams, ear cleaning and ear flushing; collecting bacterial cultures from skin and ears; sedation of animals for special procedures; cytology, occult heartworm testing, FeLV/FIV testing and fecal flotation.
• Assist in medical record completion and VetStar computer input of charges and prescriptions.
• Maintain and stock the “Learning Center” and Community Practice examination rooms.
• Instruct students on Fear Free techniques.

Provide the following client/patient interaction for the Senior Health Care Program:

• Communicate with client to complete a specialized history of patient
• Coordinate and conduct a specialized exam for each patient
• Routine diagnostics which includes animal restraint and blood draws
• Prepare sedation for patients as necessary for special procedures
• Create and maintain a database for these clients in order to provide timely follow up and reports for clinicians and clients

Client communications:

• Provide communication with client prior to appointments; this will include reminders of appointments as well as instructions appropriate for planned protocol/procedure of patient.

Nutritional Consulting:

• Provide materials for training of senior students and client education in nutritional counseling. In addition, be proficient in diet calculations in order to be able to suggest needs for weight loss or gain.

Additional Technical Support Responsibilities:

• Maintain current knowledge of procedures and equipment operation, and become familiar with new “state of the art” equipment as it becomes available
• Become familiar with nurse responsibilities in other work areas
• Assist with after-hours emergency procedures (endoscopy) and participate with rotational weekend and holiday stand-by as necessary
• Be an effective and dependable employee by beginning each day with a clean, neat uniform, establish and maintain good work habits, maintain a positive, professional relationship with faculty, staff, students and clients
• Perform other duties as requested by supervisor, Hospital Director or Department Head

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Must be registered as a paraprofessional under the authority of the Kansas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners within six months of employment.

For a Veterinary Nurse I:  Completion of a two year college program in veterinary and animal technology accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

For a Veterinary Nurse II:  Completion of a two year college program in veterinary and animal technology accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association and two years of relevant experience.

For a Veterinary Nurse III:  Completion of a two year college program in veterinary and animal technology accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association and five years of relevant experience as a state credentialed veterinary technician (RVT, LVT, CVT).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two or more years experience in a veterinary hospital setting
• Ability to handle, restrain, and provide medical services to domestic animals
• Ability to maintain and use ordinary veterinary medical hospital equipment
• Knowledge of standard emergency veterinary medical procedures 
• Ability to perform word processing and data entry procedures on a personal computer
• Be willing and able to master new techniques

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Please submit cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references 

Screening of Applications Begins:

Screening of applications begins immediately 

Salary Range / Pay Rate:

$ 12.22 - $ 22.66 per hour

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and actively seeks diversity among its employees.

Background Screening Statement:

In connection with your application for employment, Kansas State University will procure a Background Screen on you as part of the process of considering your candidacy as an employee.