Specialty Anesthesia Technician - Neurology

This position serves as a primary anesthesia resource within the Neurology Service and plays a critical role in the peri-anesthetic management of patients undergoing advanced diagnostic and surgical procedures. This position supports the diagnosis, treatment, nursing care, anesthesia management, and surgical care of both inpatient and outpatient neurology cases while collaborating closely with board-certified neurologists, residents, interns, veterinary students, and fellow technicians.

A major focus of this role is independent anesthesia case management for neurology patients undergoing MRI, CT, cerebrospinal fluid collection, neurosurgical procedures, and other advanced diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. The technician performs patient assessments, develops and implements anesthetic protocols in collaboration with clinicians, administers and monitors anesthesia, manages mechanically ventilated patients, and proactively responds to anesthetic complications using advanced critical thinking and nursing skills.

In addition to anesthesia responsibilities, the technician assists with advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including electrodiagnostic testing, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection, muscle and nerve biopsies, rehabilitation treatments, and neurosurgical procedures. Neurology-specific training will be provided for qualified candidates with strong specialty or anesthesia experience.

The technician is responsible for maintaining accurate anesthesia records, ensuring patient safety throughout the peri-anesthetic period, and providing comprehensive recovery care for neurologic and neurosurgical patients. The Neurology Technician also supports neurosurgical procedures through patient preparation, operating room assistance, and maintenance of surgical supplies and equipment.

As a Veterinary Technician III, the successful candidate will be an experienced Certified Veterinary Technician who demonstrates advanced anesthesia expertise, strong patient advocacy, exceptional technical skills, and a commitment to teaching and collaborative specialty care. Once trained, this position will participate in a rotating on-call emergency schedule.

We welcome applicants from anesthesia, emergency and critical care, internal medicine, surgery, and other specialty veterinary backgrounds. Previous neurology experience is not required. We are committed to training experienced technicians in neurology-specific procedures and patient care while providing opportunities to apply and further develop advanced anesthesia expertise in a specialty academic setting.

Essential Functions

Technical Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary anesthesia technician for neurology patients undergoing advanced imaging, diagnostic procedures, and neurosurgical interventions.
• Perform comprehensive patient assessment and anesthesia management throughout the peri-anesthetic period, including protocol development, induction, maintenance, monitoring, ventilator management, and recovery.
• Independently recognize and respond to anesthetic complications and patient instability while collaborating with faculty clinicians to optimize patient outcomes.
• Deliver patient care in accordance with the hospital's standards for minimizing fear, anxiety, stress, and pain and promoting patient well-being.
• Monitor patients closely and implement clinician-directed diagnostic, therapeutic, and nursing care plans to ensure timely, high-quality patient care.
• Assist clinicians with advanced diagnostic, medical, and surgical procedures.
• Collaborate effectively with clinical and administrative team members across the hospital to coordinate, prioritize, and optimize patient care and workflow.
• Perform diagnostic testing as ordered by clinicians, including point-of-care and bench-top laboratory procedures.
• Provide advanced technical support for clinical service, teaching, and research activities.
• Assist clinicians in maintaining accurate, complete, and timely medical records in accordance with hospital policies and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in cross-training and provide support in other hospital services and clinical areas as needed to meet operational and patient care needs.

Teaching and Leadership

• Provide clinical instruction in anesthesia protocols, monitoring, recovery, and patient management to veterinary students, interns, residents, and student technicians throughout the neurology rotation.
• Instruct, direct, and assist residents, interns, students, new technicians, and student technicians with treatments, medical procedures, hospital protocols, and the use and care of medical supplies, instruments, and equipment.
• Develop and maintain a service SOP binder so that others can function effectively in the service during your absence.
• May be asked to participate in providing formal continuing education instruction.
• Serve as a mentor for veterinary technicians and facilitate onboarding in collaboration with the supervisor.
• Demonstrate excellent leadership skills, resourcefulness, and self-accountability.

Client Communication

• Provide patient updates for inpatients and document communication in StringSoft.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with clients regarding patient status, diagnostic results, treatment plans, and scheduling needs.
• Manage prescription refill requests.
• Admit patients for hospitalization, testing, and surgical procedures.
• Discharge patients, review home-care instructions, and answer client questions.
• Communicate with referring veterinarians and clients as directed.
• Review financial estimates with clients.

Departmental and Additional Responsibilities

• Clean and stock supplies and equipment in all areas of the Neurology Department and neurosurgical areas.
• Maintain adequate inventory of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals.
• Ensure all treatment areas are maintained in good condition; submit requests for improvements, repairs, maintenance, or equipment service as needed.
• Provide coverage for other shifts and areas within the department as needed.
• Participate in departmental and hospital-wide initiatives as required.

Research

• Assist faculty with ongoing research projects.