Veterinary Technician I - Small Animal Surgery - Tufts University

Cummings school of veterinary medicine at tufts university provides 24-hour care for pets 365 days of the year. Since 1985, we have offered high quality medical care, consultation, referral and emergency veterinary services for the care of dogs, cats and exotic pets. The hospital also serves as the primary clinical training environment for the veterinary students, interns and residents.

The Small Animal Surgery Section provides high quality medical care to all small animal patients requiring surgery. In addition, this service supports a positive learning experience for Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University students during their small animal surgery rotation.

This position qualifies for a $2,000 sign on bonus following successful completion of 6 months of employment for newly hired employees.

This position performs the work of a veterinary surgical nurse, assisting in every aspect of the surgery department. The Small Animal Surgical Veterinary Technician is a technician that performs complex and diverse clinical duties in veterinary patient nursing care and performs more complex technical procedures. This position will assist the surgery faculty, residents and students in carrying out the treatment of clinical cases (outpatient & inpatient) and surgical cases (prepping, student teaching of proper surgical prep and sterile technique, setting up operating rooms, assisting & post-op medical management).

As a Vet Tech II in Surgery you will:

Technical Responsibilities

• Provide high quality patient care while working alongside surgeons, residents, interns and students for surgical procedures.
• Patient preparation, operating room set up/clean up, patient positioning, sterile surgical assistance.
• Collaborate with colleagues, co-workers, faculty, house officers and students to effectively manage a high-volume clinical workflow without direct supervisory oversight.
• Provide care to patients and support to co-workers and students that are consistent with hospital standards of minimizing fear, anxiety, stress and pain in our patients.
• Position and restrain patients in a calm, professional and compassionate manner using Fear Free techniques.
• Work efficiently, professionally and cohesively either independently or as a part of a team.
• Ensure all patient safety and departmental protocols are being followed.
• Effectively communicate with internal customers
• Actively seek opportunities to provide support and coverage to all modalities within the section as needed.
• Monitor, manage, and implement treatment plans as ordered by clinicians to insure prompt delivery of high-quality patient care.
• Collaborate with administrative and clinical care team members throughout the hospital to coordinate and prioritize patient care.
• Routinely perform technical tasks with supervision once trained.
• Cross train in outpatient surgery appointments to increase depth of coverage for the department.
• Maintain IACUC, Fear Free and RECOVER certifications as needed.

Departmental and Additional Responsibilities:

• Cleaning and stocking of supplies and equipment in all areas of the surgery department, and surgical area
• Instrument care; correctly cleaning, packaging and wrapping instruments for sterilization (steam and gas). Knowledge of instrument names, uses, and how and where they are stored
• Maintain adequate inventory of medical supplies.
• Ensure all treatment areas are maintained in good condition, submit requests for improvements or work orders as needed or scheduling service.
• Provide coverage for other shifts and modalities as needed.
• Participate in Departmental and Hospital-wide initiatives as required.

Teaching – Teaching responsibilities include:

• Contributes to the teaching and instruction of veterinary and technician students about ophthalmology topics.
• Clinical instruction of basic procedures for veterinary students, interns, residents and student technicians throughout their ophthalmology rotation.
• Assist in training, orienting, and mentoring new veterinary technicians in all aspects of the service
• Engage students to ensure they are receiving a successful and fulfilling education in the department

Research

• Assist faculty with ongoing research projects.

The minimum rate of pay for this position is $26 per hour based off a 35-hour work week. Compensation above this rate will vary based on education, experience, and credentials. Generous shift differentials are offered for any scheduled hours worked outside of normal business hours. Schedule typically is a 4 day weekday with an on-call component.

The Surgery Veterinary Technician is considered an essential employee within the hospital and the schedule may include providing University and calendar holiday coverage on a rotating basis. A substantial holiday premium pay is applied to any University designated holiday. The University observes a minimum of thirteen holidays throughout the calendar year. Once trained, this position will participate in a rotating on-call emergency schedule which includes weeknights, weekends, and holidays.

Basic Requirements:

• Mastery of basic technical skills associated with Surgery, including mandatory skills below.
• High School diploma or equivalent and 3 years of experience as a veterinary technician in a fast-paced hospital

OR

• Associate OR bachelor's degree from an AVMA-accredited institution providing training in veterinary technology, veterinary nursing, or veterinary science, and one year experience at a University hospital or large scale hospital.

OR

• Certified Veterinary Technician in good standing.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently when completing basic tasks and procedural skills, and the ability to conduct more advanced tasks under supervision.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively as a member of a diverse team of clinical and administrative professionals.
• Highly motivated, enthusiastic self-starter with a professional attitude.
• Comprehensive understanding of medical terminology and veterinary pharmacology.
• Demonstrated ability to provide excellent service to both internal and external customers.
• A desire to teach.  This includes sharing knowledge and expertise with colleagues throughout the Small and Large Animal Hospitals as well as students.  Teaching also requires a commitment to ongoing professional development such as participation in Continuing Education and maintenance of credentials and certifications.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and ability to learn electronic medical record systems and other software systems used.

Minimum required technical skills:

• Safely restrain cats and dogs
• Assess the attitude and responsiveness of dogs and cats
• Obtain vital signs, including temperature, pulse, respiration, and capillary refill time.
• Be able to identify animals in pain or distress
• IV catheterization
• Phlebotomy (cephalic, saphenous, jugular)
• Dosage calculations for medications, fluid therapy, and continuous rate infusions.
• Set up of fluid therapy systems and fluid therapy monitoring
• Monitoring and identifying physiological parameters in patients under sedation and general anesthesia.
• Familiarity with sedatives and tranquilizers.
• Ability to use point of care machines.
• Describe steps required and be able to assist in CPR.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated leadership skills and resourcefulness.
• Certified Veterinary Technician in good standing preferred.
• Experience with electronic medical records.
• Prior experience in small animal specialty surgery.
• Excellent understanding of medical terminology and common specialty surgical procedures.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in relating to co-workers, clinicians, students, staff and clients.
• Fear Free Certification
• RECOVER Certification