Veterinary Technician - Large Animal Hospital - Tufts University

The technicians of the Hospital for Large Animals are well versed at handling multiple different species that are cared for in our hospital.  In addition to horses, which comprise the majority of our case load, our staff also have the opportunity to work with a variety of other species including alpacas, goats and pigs. Our technicians work together as a team with residents, interns, and faculty clinicians to provide quality, compassionate, and timely care to all of our hospitalized patients.  In addition to our in-house patients, the technicians provide assistance, and urgent care to incoming emergencies along with our teams of veterinarians and veterinary students. 

As a teaching hospital, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University is well known for the ability to offer a wide variety of cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic options for our large animal patients and their owners. The focus of our work here is to provide medical guidance and care to the patients and clients, as well as providing a solid education to our future veterinary professionals. Our technicians play an integral part in both roles… as caregivers and as educators.

We have over a dozen specialists with extensive experience in large animal Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Sports Medicine; and with this knowledge, the staff can provide our new hires with the training, the tools, and support that they will need to be successful in this environment. Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University has excellent resources, and health benefits to offer, and plenty of Continuing Education opportunities to further enhance our staff and our hospital surroundings.

If you are looking for a new challenge and a rewarding experience in the veterinary/large animal field, please consider the opportunities that we have available.

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

Veterinary Technicians in the Large Animal Hospital are responsible for providing high quality nursing care and treatment to all Internal Medicine, General Diagnostics and Surgery Service, and Sports Medicine Service patients as directed by clinicians/residents or supervising technicians.

As a team member, the Veterinary Technician will assist other technicians in carrying out the daily patient management plan, which includes inpatient care and treatment, providing technical support for other clinicians and students, guidance, and instruction to students on rotation, and assisting with routine/emergency admissions and discharges. 

In this role, the Vet Tech will serve as a service technician, assisting in procedures such as but not limited to; gastroscopy, endoscopy, cystosopy, assisting in elective/day-time surgeries, wound management and bandage changes, lameness and neurologic examinations.

As a float service technician, you will be providing variable coverage to the hospital in Internal Medicine, General Diagnostics and Surgery Service, and Sports Medicine Services during planned vacation time, medical leaves, and may be asked to expand coverage to other departments within the Hospital for Large Animals.

Essential functions as a Veterinary Technician will be:

• Overall observation of all Large Animal Hospitalized patients.
• Perform treatments as designed and ordered by clinicians.
• Assure general comfort and safety of animals and be alert to any unforeseen circumstances.
• Competently administer Rx as ordered.
• Provide instruction/assistance to fourth-year students, new hires, and visiting interns, i.e., catheterizations, venipuncture, rough/sterile preps, proper restraint techniques, reflux horses.
• Assist with discharge/admission of patients, grooming, leg wraps, on-loading and off-loading animals.
• Provide emergency and routine technical assistance for all clinic admissions.
• Set up colic cart, catheterizations, prepare for abdominocentesis, rectal examination, reflux, assist with proper restraint techniques.
• Set up and use of Endoscopy equipment, Radiology equipment and various other monitoring and diagnostic devices.
• Restocking and cleaning of treatment areas (i.e., inpatient and outpatient treatment rooms, neonatal ward, isolation).
• Order supplies from Central Sterile as needed to assure adequate supplies are available at all times in the treatment areas.
• Maintain cleanliness and order in treatment areas as well hospital wards.
• Follow Biosecurity protocols and protocols as set forth by all departments within the HLA and FHSA.

The schedule for this position is expected to be: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 8:00 AM - 5:15pm. This position will include and on-call surgery component on Wednesday evenings once adequately trained.

The Float Technician may be required to work outside of the set schedule, not to exceed a 35 -hour workweek, for periods of time to accommodate the hospital’s needs. All float technicians, will be given 3 weeks advanced notices when asked to change their set schedule. 

Candidates who apply, will be considered for a technician level based on their relevant experience against the University Veterinary Technician Career Ladder.

Basic Requirements:

• Large animal handling skills required
• At least one year of related experience
• High School Diploma/GED is required
• Computer proficiency/Electronic Medical Records
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience as a large animal technician
• CVT, eligible to sit for VTNE
• Degree from Accredited Veterinary Technology, Veterinary Science, Animal Science
• Computer skills 
• Experience with Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Technology
• Vocational/Technical training or Associate/Bachelor’s Degree with 2+ year’ experience preferred   
  

Special Work Schedule Requirements:

This position has a four day work week schedule, with one on call shift per week.  Schedule includes participation in holiday and on call rotation and may include occasional weekend hours. This position is considered essential and is therefore required to report to work as scheduled during emergency closings.