Job Description

The College of Veterinary Medicine invites applicants to apply for the position of Veterinary Assistant, located within the Anesthesia service of the Small Animal Clinical Sciences department. The day-to-day responsibilities of a veterinary assistant are varied and essential to the overall well-being of animals under their care.

The primary purpose of this position is to provide quality care for patients and/or research animals by performing a variety of functions including but not limited to feeding, bathing, exercising, record keeping, restraint, and/or equipment operation. Provides cleaning and disinfection, stocks supply, and collects and disperses laundry.

Performs animal restraint on various small animal species for physical exams and medical procedures, such as blood draws, urine collection, blood pressures, and injections. Prepares cages and runs with bedding, water, and other supplies. Feeds diets as prescribed to admitted patients. Creates and/or provides enrichment devices and activities. Exercises patients, using special care. Records daily observations on cage cards. Assists in the admittance and discharge of patients. Performs bathing or grooming as needed.

Cleans and disinfects animal quarters, treatment rooms, and other areas as needed. Unpacks and unloads supplies and places items in appropriate areas. Provides laundry collection and dispersement.

Depending on experience and qualifications of successful candidate, individual will be hired in as a Veterinary Assistant 1, Veterinary Assistant 2, Senior Veterinary Assistant 1, or Senior Veterinary Assistant 2:

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Veterinary Assistant 1:

Minimum Education:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent

Minimum Experience:

• No experience required.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience working with small animals, including but not limited to dogs, cats, birds, and rodents preferred.

Progressing Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Basic knowledge of small animal care, behavior, monitoring, and handling.
• Basic knowledge of and ability to use common hospital equipment.
• Knowledge of general sanitation and disinfection protocols.
• Good Computer skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong observation skills.
• Ability to lift and restrain small animals.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Ability to follow directions and work with a diverse population.
• Ability to adhere to safety and training procedures.
• Ability to work under stressful or demanding conditions.

Veterinary Assistant 2:

Minimum Education:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent

Minimum Experience:

• 6 months of relevant experience working with small animals, including but not limited to dogs, cats, birds, and rodents.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

Progressing Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Intermediate knowledge of small animal care, behavior, monitoring, and handling.
• Intermediate knowledge of and ability to use common hospital equipment.
• Knowledge of general sanitation and disinfection protocols.
• Good Computer skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong observation skills.
• Ability to lift and restrain small animals.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Ability to follow directions and work with a diverse population.
• Ability to adhere to safety and training procedures.
• Ability to work under stressful or demanding conditions.
• Ability to assist with treatment and sample collection.

Senior Veterinary Assistant 1:

Minimum Education:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent

Minimum Experience:

• 2 years of relevant experience working with small animals including but not limited to dogs, cats, birds, and rodents.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

Progressing Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of small animal care, behavior, monitoring, and handling.
• Advanced knowledge of and ability to use common hospital equipment.
• Advanced knowledge of general sanitation and disinfection protocols.
• Good Computer skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong observation skills.
• Ability to lift and restrain small animals.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Ability to follow directions and work with a diverse population.
• Ability to adhere to safety and training procedures.
• Ability to work under stressful or demanding conditions.
• Ability to assist with treatment and sample collection.
• Knowledge of Bio Security procedures and hospital/isolation protocols.
• Ability to monitor animal conditions and behaviors.
• Ability to train and supervise others.

Senior Veterinary Assistant 2:

Minimum Education:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent

Minimum Experience:

• 4 years of relevant experience working with small animals including but not limited to dogs, cats, birds, and rodents.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

Progressing Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Expert knowledge of small animal care, behavior, monitoring, and handling.
• Expert knowledge of and ability to use common hospital equipment.
• Advanced knowledge of general sanitation and disinfection protocols.
• Good Computer skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong observation skills.
• Ability to lift and restrain small animals.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Ability to follow directions and work with a diverse population.
• Ability to adhere to safety and training procedures.
• Ability to work under stressful or demanding conditions.
• Ability to assist with treatment and sample collection.
• Knowledge of Bio Security procedures and hospital/isolation protocols.
• Ability to monitor animal conditions and behaviors.
• Ability to train and supervise others.
• Knowledge of USDA, AAALAC, and AVMA regulatory guidelines.
• Ability to identify safety risks when handling small animals.
• Ability to make sound decisions.
• Ability to supervise staff.
• Delegation and problem-solving skills.

The Veterinary Medical Center is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, and 365 days per year. Occasional weekend, evening, or holiday work may be required of this position.

Work Location:

• Knoxville, Tennessee
• On-Site

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market ranges: MR04-MR05
• Anticipated hiring range: $32,884.80-$38,064.00
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions:

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

• Resume
• Cover Letter

About The College:

The UT College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM), located in Knoxville, was established by an act of the Tennessee Legislature in 1974 and is part of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture

UTCVM is one of 33 veterinary colleges in the United States and provides opportunities for Tennessee students while serving pet owners and the livestock industry as well as protecting public health, enhancing medical knowledge and generating economic benefits to the state and nation.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!