Veterinary Technician Supervisor - Surgical Department - Ethos Veterinary Health

About Us: ARISE (Arizona Regional Intensive Care) is a 24-hour veterinary emergency, critical care, and specialty hospital in Queen Creek, AZ. We have the most skilled doctors in the state and provide significantly complex treatments in the western US. ARISE is an organization that prides itself on its core values to drive a dynamic culture.  We pave the way for our leadership to forge an autonomous path by empowering our leaders to make decisions and changes. Our charge nurses will also work to collaborate regularly with leadership in the development of policies, cultivating growth in the team and fostering the commitment to maintain an inclusive, rewarding, and collaborative culture. ARISE is also to be the regional training center for veterinary medicine, offering a unique roadmap for any position in veterinary medicine to further their growth in their career. Our charge nurses will be hands on in training and growing our team members in the veterinary field.  

Job Purpose:  The purpose of the Veterinary Surgical Department Charge Nurse is to provide high-quality medical support and nursing care to companion animal patients in addition to providing top leadership and oversight to the support staff for the department, support the veterinarians in the department, and assist the organization of the daily workflow of the hospital.  

Duties & Responsibilities: 

Nursing Care – As a veterinary nurse, it is expected to provide high quality medical support and nursing care to companion animal patients. As a nurse you are routinely entrusted with patient assessments/triage, anesthesia, procedures, drug doses, and treatments. You will be responsible for patient care, patient follow-up, and maintenance of Surgery patient records. 

• Proficient IV catheter placement 

• Use and maintain IV pumps 

• Understands and carries out written and oral directions 

• Proficient and accurate drug calculations and administration 

• Quality nursing and husbandry care of patients 

• Strong working knowledge of veterinary procedures and pharmacology 

• Perform in‐hospital lab testing and prepare specimens for outside labs, as needed when lab tech is not available. Report diagnostic testing results to veterinarians 

• Perform and/or participate in all other diagnostics such as radiology, ultrasound, ECG, BP, and glucose monitoring 

• Assist veterinarians in outpatient exams by taking histories, vital signs and weights as well as providing client education 

• Provide nursing care for in‐hospital patients including all DVM requested treatments, diagnostics, and medications 

• Accurately and completely record all treatments 

• Conduct pre‐admission exams and discharge hospitalized patients 

• Perform client callbacks as necessary 

• Maintain legally defensible medical records in cooperation with veterinarians 

• Actively engages in Rounds 

• Rounds delivered/received at shift changes, anytime a staff member comes on shift or leaves a shift 

• Rounds will be complete, detailed, and relative to patient & client care 

• Proficient in monitoring anesthesia utilizing equipment such as pulse oximeter, electrocardiogram, ventilator, etc 

• Prepare patients for surgery including pre-op medications, induction/intubation, and surgery preparations 

• Assist veterinarian through surgery and monitor patients through anesthesia recovery 

• Keep accurate anesthesia/surgical medical records 

• Effectively communicate treatment and costs to owners and collect signatures and/or verbal consent forms and treatment plans 

Training – Coordinates with the Head of Training and Development on all training protocols and procedures to ensure existing support staff as well as new staff members are on-boarded and trained efficiently and effectively 

• Take part in the interview and selection process of potential new support staff candidates, to include technicians, technician assistants, client administrators, client liaisons, lab technicians, kennel assistants, and doctor’s assistants. 

• Support staff levelling and reviews 

• Review leveling criteria and benchmarks for employee advancement per hospital protocol 

• Performs mid and annual formal performance reviews per hospital protocol for all support staff 

• Lead the support staff team by example 

• Follow through on commitment to growth and development of entire support staff team 

• Acts as a mentor for support staff  

• Ensure appropriate medical techniques are being utilized 

• Ensure that employees are demonstrating positive customer service to all clients 

• Ensure all support staff are following hospital policies and procedures 

• Work with employees to correct deficiencies, implement training as necessary, and partner with the Leadership Team to implement corrective action or coaching procedures 

• Follow up on coaching to ensure it is being implemented. 

• Document training and coaching sessions.  

• Create and teach department specific curriculum for ARISE Academy 

Communication – act as the bridge between the hospital leadership team and support staff in department to maintain open channels of communication and constructive dialogue 

• Conduct beginning of shift huddles 

• Quarterly/bi-annual check-in meetings with all support staff 

• Participate in regular team meetings with Leadership Team to: 

• Identify areas for improvement within the company 

• Ensure consistent messages are being disseminated to employees 

• Increase knowledge of supervisory and leadership skills 

• Develop a cohesive team with other members of the Leadership Team 

• Monitor offices and hospital areas and ensure compliance with duties.  

Engagement – act as a leader to improve staff retention and foster a culture of growth and development 

• Identify and solicit opportunities for growth within the support staff  

• Identify areas of personal strength and weakness that may enhance or hinder job performance 

• Actively seek out staff members who may be disengaged and intervene as necessary to improve staff retention 

• Fully competent regarding organizational policies and procedures 

• Involved in the development and implementation of new policies and SOP as relevant 

• Establishes and reinforces a supportive team environment 

• Discourages negative attitudes, gossip 

• Leads by example 

• Seeks out and participates in leadership development and advancement opportunities 

• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending CEs, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal and professional networks, etc. 

• Acts in a solution-oriented manner to advocate and improve any deficiencies in the hospital. 

Hospital Operations – contribute to seamless and cohesive operations of the hospital 

• The ability to resolve client needs, concerns, and complaints where appropriate 

• Work with the inventory specialist to maintain all inventory for the department to ensure appropriate levels of items are always on hand without shortages or excess on hand and stays within the departmental budget.  

• Ensuring the department always meets and follows all required OSHA standards. 

• Ensure department is appropriately scheduled and staffed to meet the needs of the department. 

Requirements:  

• Extensive surgical and anesthesia experience, preferably with board-certified surgeons 

• Knowledge of handling high risk anesthetic patients  

• Knowledge of complex surgical procedures and equipment 

• Certified Veterinary Technician license (will consider RVT and LVT with potential to transfer to AZ licensing) 

Schedule 

• Four 10 hour shifts – Monday-Friday 

• Rotating On-Call with team – likely no more than 1 weekend every other month 

Compensation 

• $29-35/hour for CVT/LVT/RVT 

• $35-$40/hour for VTS 

Benefits  

• VTS Support  

• Possible Relocation Bonus 

• CE Allowance  

• Uniform Allowance  

• Paid License Renewal Fees  

• Paid Time Off  

• Employee Pet Discount   

• 401k  

• Medical/Dental/Vision  

• Disability Insurance  

• Life Insurance 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

ARISE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Hiring is contingent on candidate verifying their eligibility to work in the United States and passing a complete background check and drug screen. 

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