Vet Tech II - Inpatient Medicine

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 Inpatient Medicine department provides outstanding nursing care to our less intensive care patients 24 hours a day. With patients from all specialties represented, this is an excellent opportunity for technicians looking to expand their knowledge of complex disease processes and surgical cases. As a technician in this area, you will be able to use your skills to provide excellent patient care while also acquiring new skills and knowledge every day. You will also have the opportunity to teach Veterinary students and Veterinary technician students.

In addition to our excellent benefit package, Tufts also provides a liberal continuing education allowance and tuition reimbursement to promote personal and professional growth. The minimum rate of pay for this position is $28 per hour based on a 35-hour work week. Compensation above this rate will vary based on education, experience, and credentials. Shift differentials in addition to hourly compensation are offered for shifts outside of regular business hours ranging from $2-$4 an hour. The Inpatient Medicine 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 with premium holiday pay.

Essential Functions as an Inpatient Medicine Veterinary Technician II Include:

Patient Care:

• Collaborate with colleagues, co-workers, faculty, house officers and students to effectively manage a high-volume clinical workflow.
• Provide care to patients that is consistent with hospital standards of minimizing fear, anxiety, stress and pain in our patients.
• Work efficiently, professionally and cohesively either independently or as a part of a team.
• Ensure all patient safety and departmental protocols are being followed.
• Effectively communicate with internal customers

• Monitor, manage and implement treatment plans as ordered by clinicians to ensure prompt delivery of high-quality care to inpatient, acute care, exotic and isolation cases.
• Identify and communicate changes in patient condition to members of the patient care team.
• Complete diagnostic testing as ordered by clinicians including bench-top lab tests.

Teaching:

• Instruct veterinary students and student technicians in all technical aspects of patient care.

• Assist in training, orienting, and mentoring new Veterinary Technicians and Animal Care Attendants in all aspects of the department.

Clinical Maintenance:

• Maintain adequate inventory of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals.
• Handle control substances according to written SOPs as required.
• Clean and maintain clinical areas including treatment and patient housing areas
• Facilitate the maintenance of clinical equipment by identifying malfunctioning equipment and scheduling service.

Miscellaneous:

• 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 schedule for this position is Wednesday - Saturday 9pm - 6am

Basic Requirements:

• Mastery of basic technical skills, including mandatory skills below.
• High School diploma or equivalent and 3 years of experience as a veterinary technician in a fast-paced hospital
  OR
• Associate OR bachelor's degree from an AVMA-accredited institution providing training in veterinary technology, veterinary nursing, or veterinary science, and one year of experience at an academic hospital or large-scale hospital.
  OR
• Certified Veterinary Technician in good standing.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently when completing basic tasks and procedural skills, and the ability to conduct more advanced tasks under supervision.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively as a member of a diverse team of clinical and administrative professionals.
• Comprehensive understanding of medical terminology and veterinary pharmacology.
  Demonstrated ability to provide excellent service to both internal and external customers.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and ability to learn electronic medical record systems and other software systems used.

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 recovering from general anesthesia.
* Familiarity with sedatives and tranquilizers.
* Ability to use point of care lab work 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 from an AVMA accredited institution
• Certified Veterinary Technician
• Experience in a specialty or academic hospital setting
• Fear free certified
• Exotic animal handling skills. Exotic animals include birds, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, rodents, special small mammals (such as chinchillas or hedgehogs), reptiles, and amphibians.