Veterinary Technician Level IV- Emergency and Critical Care

Located in beautiful North Grafton, MA, our campus offers the perfect balance of serene country surroundings with easy access to major highways. Our facilities include seven cutting-edge teaching hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic laboratories, where we deliver exceptional patient care while supporting the education and research missions of our school. With an annual patient caseload of approximately 100,000, Tufts Veterinary Group serves clients across New England and provides critical hands-on training for our veterinary students, interns, and residents.

The Foster Hospital for Small Animals at the Cummings School is a full-service hospital, an approved ACVECC residency training facility, and is designated as an ACVECC-recognized Level 1 Veterinary Trauma Center as well as a VECCS Level 1 facility. The emergency service manages over 15,000 cases annually including approximately 50 mechanical ventilation cases and is supported by 8 Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, 12 residents, 15 rotating interns and a team of highly skilled nursing staff. Our nursing staff rotate between ICU and emergency medicine, participate in teaching house officers and students, and are encouraged to pursue VTS certification. The Critical Care Service houses up to 30 patients of any specialty services in need of intensive monitoring.

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

The anticipated schedule for this position will be: Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday 6am - 6pm

As an Emergency and Critical Care Technician, you'll play a pivotal role in intensive patient care as well as an opportunity to shape the future of veterinary medicine by mentoring the next generation of veterinary technicians, clinicians, and students. You'll work alongside a diverse group of skilled professionals, ensuring that the highest standards of care are consistently upheld. If you have a passion for clinical excellence and a drive to lead and inspire others, this role is for you.

What We're Looking For:

• A qualified leader with advanced technical expertise-ideally, you're a VTS or a highly experienced CVT looking to obtain your VTS.
• A proven leader who thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments and excels at fostering collaboration and team spirit.
• A motivator and mentor, eager to provide coaching and support to your team while upholding high standards of patient care.
• Experience in large specialty practices or academia is preferred, but a passion for teaching and leading is essential.

As a Veterinary Technician Level IV in Emergency and Critical Care you will:

Patient Care - Provide expert patient care including the following:

• Monitor, manage and implement treatment plans as ordered by clinicians to insure prompt delivery of high-quality patient care.
• Assist clinicians with procedures and independently perform specialized and complicated procedures.
• Make independent nursing care decisions for advanced clinical situations without direct supervision by faculty and carry out these decisions
• 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.
• Provide technical assistance for clinical, academic and research.

Teaching - Teaching responsibilities include:

• Instruct veterinary students and student technicians in all technical aspects of patient care.
• Serve as coach and mentor to junior staff.
• Assist in training, orienting, and mentoring new Veterinary Technicians in all aspects of the department.
• Participate in continuing education seminars and labs hosted by the University.
• Research - Assist in studies and projects as needed including treating research/laboratory animals
• Maintenance - Clinical maintenance includes:
• Maintain adequate inventory of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals.
• Clean and maintain clinical areas

Miscellaneous - Other duties as assigned by supervisor and assistant supervisor including:

• Provide coverage for other sections of the hospital as needed.
• Participate in service and hospital wide initiatives as required.
• Complete at least 6 hours of RACE approved CE annually.
• Effectively communicate with clients to provide education, explain treatment plans, and review discharge instructions including medication administration.

The Emergency and Critical Care 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.

Compensation begins at a minimum of $37/hr

Basic Requirements:

• Mastery of advanced technical and procedural skills associated with treating critically ill patients

• Certified Veterinary Technician in good standing
• Veterinary Technician Specialist Certification

OR

Certified veterinary technician in good standing, 6 years as a certified veterinary technician in a large academic or specialty hospital, demonstrated mastery of specialist technical and procedural skills associated with Emergency and Critical Care

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively as a member of a diverse team of clinical and administrative professionals.
• Expert understanding of medical terminology and veterinary pharmacology and the ability to effectively share that knowledge
• Demonstrated ability to provide exceptional service to both internal and external customers, and to work collegially as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to provide mentorship and leadership to other technicians.
• Demonstrated ability to instruct students, as determined by student feedback.
• Expertise with Microsoft Office and electronic medical records.

• Be able to independently initiate steps to perform CPR in absence of an attending veterinarian
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs with or without accommodation

Minimum required technical skills:

• Required technical skills include: Advanced IV catheter placement, feeding tube placement, urinary catheter placement, sedation and general anesthesia of animals of all ASA statuses, transfusion medicine, intensive care patient assessment, monitoring and treatment
• Experience with mechanical ventilation
• RECOVER certified and be able to independently initiate and carry out CPR
• Demonstrated expertise as required for the specific VTS certification.

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodation.

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor's or associate degree in Veterinary Technology
• Veterinary Technician Specialty Certification
• Exotic animal handling skills desirable.
• Experience working in an academic or teaching hospital
• Demonstrated ability teaching other technicians, veterinary students, veterinary technician students