Anesthesia Veterinary Technician - Weekend Warrior

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 an experienced weekend warrior Veterinary Technician to be an intrinsic member of our anesthesia department providing excellence in care in conjunction with other emergency weekend teams. 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.

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

We're looking for an experienced Veterinary Technician to be our Weekend Warrior and join our team!

The weekend anesthesia Veterinary Technician float position consists of two 13-hour weekend shifts and is complete with all the Tufts benefits and perks in a shortened two-day workweek with no additional on-call responsibilities. In this position, you will perform anesthesia for all types of emergency patients from critical patients in the operating room to patients receiving emergency imaging procedures or emergency procedures in the ER and ICU. When not performing anesthesia, the float team is also responsible for supporting the emergency teams through assisting with diagnostic imaging support. The Veterinary Technician III performs advanced and more specialized technical procedures with limited direct supervision from the attending veterinarian or a supervising technician. In this role, the technician is responsible for coaching and mentoring junior staff and providing on-the-job training to new technicians and students.

Essential Functions for a Veterinary Technician in this role will be:

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 Additional 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.

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 and diagnostic imaging 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

Compensation commensurate with certifications, education and experience is offered in addition to a weekend shift differential of $3/hour. 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.

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 the absence of an attending veterinarian

Additional Preferred Experience, Education, etc.

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