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Veterinary Technician Assistant: Primary Care and Primary Care Dentistry

University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI

Posted Sep 15, 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

Tell me about the animal handling experience you have. What kinds of patients have you held or restrained, and in what settings?

What they are checking: Whether their hands-on experience is real enough to be safe around fearful dogs and cats on day one.

How do you keep exam rooms and treatment areas clean and stocked during a busy day without falling behind?

What they are checking: Whether they build habits that keep the team supplied and infection risk low even when the schedule is packed.

Tell me about a time you made a mistake at work. How did you find out, and what did you do next?

What they are checking: Whether they own errors quickly, which matters in a setting where small mistakes can affect an animal's health.

This is a fixed-term, full-time job with weekday shifts and occasional on-call. How does that fit what you are looking for?

What they are checking: Whether they have thought through the schedule and term so the hospital is not left short partway through.

What draws you to working in a veterinary teaching hospital instead of a private clinic?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the slower, teaching-centered pace and will be patient with students learning on real cases.

What would you do

A cat in the exam room is getting more and more stressed while the veterinarian is trying to finish. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they read an animal's body language and speak up before someone gets bitten or the patient is harmed.

This is a teaching hospital, so veterinary students are in the room. How would you handle a student who is restraining a dog in a way you think is unsafe?

What they are checking: Whether they can protect the patient and the people while respecting that students are there to learn.

An owner in the lobby asks you whether their pet's lab results look bad. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they know the limits of their role and can be kind while sending medical questions to the right person.

How do you take direction from several people at once, like a veterinarian, a technician and a student, when the asks conflict?

What they are checking: Whether they can sort priorities calmly and ask the right person rather than guessing or freezing.

About the work

In primary care dentistry, what would you be doing to get a patient and the dental suite ready for a cleaning?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the prep and cleanup work that keeps a dental schedule running on time.

What do you know about disinfecting between patients, especially if a dog comes in with suspected parvovirus or kennel cough?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that one careless room turnover can spread disease through a whole hospital.

Practice this interview out loud.

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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: Terminal (Fixed Term) Job Profile: Veterinary Technician Assistant Job Summary: UW Veterinary Care (UWVC) is excited to welcome dedicated Veterinary Technician Assistants to our Primary Care team. This vital role will support and assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians with patient care throughout our Hospital. 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 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 is a full-time, 40-hours a week position. The anticipated schedule for this vacancy will be Monday through Friday, 8-hour shifts between the hours of 7:30am – 5:30pm, with a 30-minute unpaid lunch. Occasional on-call may be needed, as required by the hospital. The official schedule will be discussed and confirmed with the finalist for this position. Incumbent will be hired on a terminal project position. This position will have an expected end date of 1-year from the date of hire with the opportunity to extend based on department needs. This vacancy is being announced simultaneously with JR10015005; please note that only one vacancy exists. Having two job postings allows the School of Veterinary Medicine to consider both Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) candidates and Non- Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) candidates for this position. Key Job Responsibilities: • Documents and disseminates results to the appropriate entities (5%) • 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%) • Assists with routine laboratory tests and specimen collection according to established medical orders and care plans (0%) • Maintains inventory levels, stocks supplies and organizes materials to support efficient clinical operations. (20%) • Maintains organization of and updates records related to medical procedures and billing (10%) • Serves as a point of contact for animal owners and stakeholders providing information and answering questions (10%) • Cleans and maintains organization of animal holding spaces, work areas and equipment (15%) Department: School of Veterinary Medicine UW Veterinary Care (UWVC) Hospital Primary Care/ Primary Care Dentistry Compensation: The starting hourly rate for the position is $19.00 (but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications). 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: • Minimum of one year of experience in a veterinary clinic or hospital setting. • Experience handling and restraining animals safely and effectively. • Strong communication skills with clients, students, and veterinary team members • Ability to provide compassionate, professional, and courteous customer service. • Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds independently • Physical and manual dexterity to perform specialized technical tasks • Ability to follow written and verbal rules and instructions accurately Preferred Qualifications: • 1 - 2 years experience in veterinary hospital setting or referral practice • Basic animal handling skills • Knowledge of good client-relation principles Education: • High School Diploma Required • Associates 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. The deadline for assuring full consideration is October 1, 2026; however, the position will remain open and applications may be considered until the position is filled. Contact Information: Hiring Manager: Jennifer Borgen, Veterinary Nurse Supervisor, jennifer.borgen@wisc.edu Human Resources Support: Anne Kaldunski, HR Coordinator, 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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