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Veterinary Technician: 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

You will help train veterinary students. Tell me about a time you taught a clinical skill to someone new.

What they are checking: Whether they can teach patiently, since mentoring future veterinarians is part of the job.

If you are a recent CVT graduate, which skills from school feel strongest, and which need more practice?

What they are checking: Whether they are honest about their skill level so training can be targeted.

This is a fixed-term, full-time role with weekday hours. How does that fit your plans?

What they are checking: Whether they have accepted the term and schedule so the team is not left short.

What would you do

A patient's heart rate drops during a dental procedure. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they react fast and know to alert the clinician and check depth of anesthesia.

How do you handle a dog that is aggressive at a routine appointment?

What they are checking: Whether they use safe, low-stress handling and know when to stop and rethink the plan.

An owner is upset about the cost estimate for a dental cleaning. How do you talk with them?

What they are checking: Whether they explain the value of care calmly without pressuring the owner.

About the work

Walk me through how you set up and monitor a patient for a dental cleaning under anesthesia.

What they are checking: Whether they can handle anesthesia monitoring and dental prep, the core of primary care dentistry.

How do you take dental radiographs, and how do you make sure you have captured every tooth?

What they are checking: Whether they know full-mouth radiograph technique, since missed views hide disease.

What vaccines and preventive care do you usually talk with dog and cat owners about at a wellness visit?

What they are checking: Whether they know basic preventive medicine well enough to support clinicians and educate owners.

How do you draw blood from a cat that is hard to handle?

What they are checking: Whether they have practical venipuncture skills and use gentle restraint.

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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 I Job Summary: UW Veterinary Care (UWVC) is excited to welcome dedicated veterinary technicians to our Primary Care team. Whether you're an experienced Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) or a recent CVT graduate, we want to hear from you and we provide comprehensive training! 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 mentor and train 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 expected 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 JR10015011; 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: • Tracks supply inventory levels and places replenishment orders (5%) • Assists with the execution of more complex animal care procedures and affiliated activities (15%) • Monitors animal health status and records, notifies veterinarian when status changes, and ensures care plans are completed and recorded in the medical record (10%) • Prepares, completes, and documents basic technical animal care procedures, assessments, and medication administration according to established care plans and medical necessity (25%) • Serves as a point of contact for animal owners and stakeholders providing information and answering questions (15%) • Completes routine laboratory tests and collects specimen according to established medical orders and care plans (10%) • 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) Hospital Primary Care/ Primary Care Dentistry Compensation: The starting hourly rate for the position is $21.00 (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. This position is being posted at Vet Tech levels 1, 2 and 3. Level and pay are commensurate with experience. Required Qualifications: • Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds independently • Knowledge of basic nursing skills, including patient care and record keeping • Knowledge of safe animal restraint techniques • Ability to perform venipuncture and collect laboratory samples • Effective communication and teamwork abilities • Demonstrated reliability, initiative and proactive problem-solving This position is posted at Vet Tech levels 1, 2 and 3. Level is determined by qualifications based on type of prior veterinary tech experience: • To qualify for Level 1: Entry level, new CVT grad with minimal experience • To qualify for Level 2: Generally, over 2 years of veterinary tech experience, may substitute years of experience for specialization • To qualify for Level 3: Veterinary Tech Specialist (VTS), or highly qualified and specialized in a specific area, may have prior experience from another university hospital Preferred Qualifications: • Familiarity with electronic medical records and scheduling systems • Knowledge of fear-free or low-stress handling techniques Education: • Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) Required • High School Diploma Required • Associates Degree Preferred How to Apply: Begin the online application process by clicking the 'Apply' button. You will be asked to submit a current resume. 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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