Overnight Anesthesia Veterinary Technician - Tufts University

Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts 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, exotic pets and large animals. We are currently hiring a Veterinary Technician to be an intrinsic member of our anesthesia department providing excellence in care in conjunction with overnight teams for advanced anesthesia, radiology and pharmacy support. The Anesthesia department has over 30 years of experience managing routine to critical cases for surgery, advanced imaging and state-of-the-art procedures. Working within this team you will have professional support, coaching and mentorship from an experienced team including VTS level technicians and anesthesiologists.

As a technician on our overnight anesthesia float team, you will perform anesthesia for all types of emergency patients as well as support radiology and pharmacy needs overnight in the absence of anesthesia cases. The anesthesia technician accurately assesses and reports changes in patient parameters and works with students and clinicians on appropriate intervention.  The Veterinary Technician III performs advanced and more specialized technical procedures with limited direct supervision from the attending veterinarian or a supervising technician. Under minimal supervision, the Veterinary Technician III makes decisions and provides advanced veterinary patient nursing care, respecting the directions of the attending veterinarian. In this role, the technician is responsible for coaching and mentoring junior staff and providing on-the-job training to new technicians and students.

As a part of our highly competitive benefits package, we offer a liberal continuing education allowance and tuition reimbursement program provided to all technicians employed in Foster Hospital for Small Animals to promote personal and professional growth. Compensation commensurate with certifications, education and experience is offered in addition to generous shift differentials for overnight positions. The Anesthesia Float Veterinary Technician is considered an essential employee within the hospital and the schedule may include providing University and calendar holiday coverage. A substantial holiday premium pay is applied to any University designated holiday. The University observes a minimum of thirteen holidays throughout the calendar year.

Essential Functoins as an Overnight Vet Technician :

• Clinical Anesthesia Responsibilities
• Assessment and anesthetic management of patients ranging from stable to critical from induction, throughout procedure, through to recovery.
• Provide care to patients that is consistent with hospital standards of minimizing fear, anxiety, stress and pain.
• Monitor, manage and implement treatment plans as ordered by clinicians to ensure prompt delivery of high-quality patient care.
• Independently perform advanced technical tasks without supervision
• Collaborate with administrative and clinical care team members throughout the hospital to coordinate and prioritize patient care.
• Complete diagnostic testing as ordered by clinicians including bench-top lab tests.

Float Technician Responsibilities:

• Diagnostic Imaging Support
• Provide high quality diagnostic imaging for inpatient and emergency patients in a timely manner as ordered by clinicians to ensure prompt delivery of high-quality patient care.
• Collaborate with colleagues, co-workers, faculty, house officers and students to effectively manage a high-volume clinical workflow without direct supervisory oversight.
• Safely administer IV sedation to patients and monitor sedated patients throughout procedures
• Ensure all radiation safety protocols are followed as well as hands free restraint to minimize staff radiation exposure.

Pharmacy Support

• Provide overnight pharmacy support by filling medications for outpatient emergency patients and inpatients as needed
• Ensure accuracy of prescriptions for all patients following all hospital protocols
• Accurately document, charge for and log all medications including the use of controlled drug logs

Teaching and Leadership

• Clinical instruction in anesthesia and diagnostic imaging protocols and procedures of veterinary students, interns, residents and student technicians.
• Serve as a mentor for newly hired veterinary technicians and facilitate the on-boarding process in collaboration with supervisor.
• Demonstrate excellent leadership skills, resourcefulness, and self-accountability.

Departmental and Additional Responsibilities:

• Cleaning and stocking of supplies and equipment in anesthesia, diagnostic imaging and pharmacy as needed.
• Complete projects as assigned by supervisor.
• Facilitate the maintenance of clinical equipment by identifying malfunctioning equipment and scheduling service.
• Participate in Departmental and Hospital-wide initiatives as required

Basic Requirements:

• Certified Veterinary Technician in good standing
• Associate OR bachelor's degree from an AVMA-accredited institution providing training in veterinary technology, veterinary nursing, or veterinary science or degree in a related field.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience as a certified veterinary technician in a large hospital setting
• Excellent understanding of medical terminology and veterinary pharmacology, including knowledge of and ability to identify adverse drug reactions.
• Strong understanding of recording controlled drugs and associated drug logs
• Demonstrated ability to work independently when conducting complex tasks, with minimal supervision.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively as a member of a diverse team of clinical and administrative professionals.
• Ability to work in a busy, stressful environment with diverse personalities while maintaining a calm, professional demeanor.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and electronic medical record systems
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs with or without accommodation

Required technical skills include:

• Specialized technical skills related to anesthesia for both stable and critical patients as well as radiology or demonstrated ability to learn such skills within 3 months.
• Be able to independently initiate steps to perform CPR in absence of an attending veterinarian

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated leadership skills and resourcefulness.
• 3 years dedicated anesthesia experience in a busy, fast-paced hospital
• Experience teaching other technicians, veterinary students or veterinary technician students
• Fear Free Certification
• RECOVER Certification