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Veterinary Technician Assistant: Emergency Room

University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI

Posted Sep 24, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

The ER can get busy fast. Tell me about a time you worked in a fast-paced, stressful setting.

What they are checking: Whether they stay calm and useful when things get hectic.

How do you handle seeing animals in pain or patients who don't survive?

What they are checking: Whether they have healthy ways to cope with the emotional demands of emergency work.

How do you support veterinarians and technicians without overstepping your role?

What they are checking: Whether they understand their scope and know when to ask before doing something.

How would you work alongside veterinary students in the ER?

What they are checking: Whether they can be helpful and patient in a teaching hospital where students are learning.

What would you do

A distressed owner arrives with a pet that's having trouble breathing. What do you do first?

What they are checking: Whether they know to get the pet to the medical team immediately and not delay emergency care.

You're asked to do two things at once by two different people. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they communicate and ask about priorities instead of guessing.

The schedule includes occasional on-call and holiday shifts. How does that work for you?

What they are checking: Whether they have honestly considered the schedule demands of an emergency service.

About the work

How would you safely restrain a scared, aggressive dog for an exam?

What they are checking: Whether they know safe restraint techniques that protect staff and the animal.

Cleaning and keeping animal areas organized is a key part of this job. Why does that matter so much in an ER?

What they are checking: Whether they understand infection control and how a well-stocked ER saves time in emergencies.

What signs would make you tell a technician right away that a patient needs attention?

What they are checking: Whether they can spot warning signs like pale gums, labored breathing or collapse.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at University of Wisconsin-Madison from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process. Job Category: University Staff Employment Type: Regular Job Profile: Veterinary Technician Assistant Job Summary: UW Veterinary Care (UWVC) is excited to welcome dedicated veterinary technician assistants to our Emergency Room (ER) Team. This vital role will support and assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians with patient care in the hospital's busy ER service. As the only veterinary teaching hospital in the state, UWVC offers a unique opportunity to blend your passion for animal care with the chance to work alongside the veterinarians of tomorrow. If you're looking to make a meaningful impact in your career, UWVC is the place for you. Enjoy flexible scheduling, generous benefits, and competitive pay while helping shape the future of veterinary medicine. Explore a career with us and see how UWVC can be the perfect environment for your professional growth! This position can be full or part-time, between 90% - 100% FTE (36-40 hours a week). The anticipated schedule for this vacancy is flexible, made at least 2-weeks in advance, occasional on-call and holiday will be required by the hospital. Key Job Responsibilities: • Cleans and maintains organization of animal holding spaces, work areas and equipment (10%) • Serves as a point of contact for animal owners and stakeholders providing information and answering questions (10%) • Inventories and organizes supplies (5%) • Assists with routine laboratory tests and specimen collection according to established medical orders and care plans (15%) • Assists with and executes the preparation, completion, and documentation of basic technical animal care procedures, assessments, and medication administration according to established care plans and medical necessity (40%) • Documents and disseminates results to the appropriate entities (10%) • Maintains organization of and updates records related to medical procedures and billing (10%) Department: School of Veterinary Medicine UW Veterinary Care (UWVC) Emergency Room Compensation: The starting hourly rate for the position is $20 (but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications). In addition to the base pay listed in this posting, ER positions offer a substantial $2.00/hour increase on top of your base pay for night and weekend shifts. UW Veterinary Care offers competitive wages (including night and weekend differential, if applicable), outstanding employee benefits  https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/new-employee-benefits-enrollment/benefits-for-employees-covered-by-the-wrs/   ample paid time off   https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/leave/paid-leave/  , financial support for continuing education and pursuing specialty certification , referral bonuses, an annual shoe allowance, and a yearly provision of hospital-branded clothing. Required Qualifications: • Requires the ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. i ndependently. • Physical and manual dexterity to perform specialized technical tasks. • At least 1 year professional experience in a veterinary clinic setting handling animals. Preferred Qualifications: • 2 - 4 years of professional experience in a veterinary clinic setting handling animals. • Knowledge of good client-relation principles. • Ability to follow written and verbal rules and instructions accurately. Education: • H.S. Diploma Required • Associate Degree Preferred How to Apply: Begin the online application process by clicking the 'Apply' button. Applicants are asked to upload a current copy of their resume, outlining their experience as it applies to this position. Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. Contact Information: Hiring Manager: Hayley Pooler, Veterinary Nurse Supervisor, hlombard@wisc.edu Human Resources Support: Anne Kaldunski, akaldunski@wisc.edu Institutional Statement on Diversity: Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website . To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you. Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment. The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department .

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