Vet Tech IV - ECC

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 veterinary students, interns, and residents.

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

The Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Technician IV is responsible for providing advanced veterinary patient nursing care and performing highly advanced technical procedures with general direction from the attending veterinarian.

As a Vet Tech IV in ECC, 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 including nurses' stations, wards, induction, intensive care unit, emergency room and operating rooms.

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.

Basic Requirements:

• Mastery of advanced technical and procedural skills associated with treating critically ill patients
• Certified Veterinary Technician in good standing
• A minimum of 3 years of experience as a certified veterinary technician in a University Hospital or in a similar environment
• 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.
• Excellent understanding of medical terminology and veterinary pharmacology, including knowledge of and ability to identify adverse drug reactions.
• Demonstrated ability to provide exceptional service to both internal and external customers, and to work collegially as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to instruct students, as determined by student feedback.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and electronic medical record systems
• 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:

• 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:

• Bachelor's or associate degree in Veterinary Technology preferred.
• Veterinary Technician Specialty Certification preferred.
• Credentialed as a Certified Veterinary Technician
• Fear Free level 1 certification preferred
• RECOVER basic and advanced life support certification preferred
• Exotic animal handling skills desirable.