Veterinary Technician III - Neurology Anesthesia Technician

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 and exotic pets. The neurology service utilizes state-of-the art diagnostic tests and cutting-edge surgical procedures to provide high quality patient care and customer service. This service provides teaching to veterinary students, interns, and residents, as well as continuing education for veterinary practitioners, veterinary technicians, and the public. The neurology service works in a facility and environment conducive to the study of neurologic disease, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatments in companion animals, and works to promote general awareness about neurologic disease in companion animals in the scientific community and in the general public.

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

This Neurology Anesthesia Technician's primary responsibility is to perform anesthesia for neurology patients, including MRI, surgery, CSF taps, muscle/nerve biopsies, electrodiagnostics, and more. This position will also assist the neurologists, residents, interns, staff, and students in carrying out the treatment of clinical (inpatient and outpatient) and surgical cases. Candidates for this position will be trained to perform electrodiagnostics tests (brain auditory evoked response tests (BAER) and EEGs), conduct primary technician appointments, assist with the physical examination process, record a complete and accurate patient history in the electronic medical record, and instruct veterinary students on neurology topics. The Veterinary Technician III performs advanced and more specialized technical procedures with limited direct supervision from the attending veterinarian or a supervising technician. Under minimal supervision, the Veterinary Technician III makes decisions and provides advanced veterinary patient nursing care, respecting the directions of the attending veterinarian. The Neurology Veterinary Technician is considered an essential employee within the hospital and the schedule includes participation in a rotating on-call emergency schedule.

Essential functions as a Veterinary Technician in Neurology and Anesthesia essential functions will be:

Technical Skills and Patient Care:

• Assessment and anesthetic management of patients from induction, throughout procedure, to recovery.
• Provide service to patients consistent with our hospital's 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.
• Assist clinicians with diagnostic and surgical procedures.
• 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 functions/activities.
• Communicate with clients regarding test results and scheduling
• Assist clinicians in maintaining complete medical records for all patients
• Cross training in other areas of the hospital is expected

Teaching and Leadership:

• Clinical instruction of anesthesia protocols and procedures 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 all technical aspects including treatments, medical procedures, hospital protocols, use and care of medical supplies, instruments, and equipment used on these services
• Develop and maintain a service SOP binder so that others can function in the service adequately in your absence
• Instruct veterinary students in all technical aspects of the service
• May be asked to participate in providing formal continuing education instruction.
• Serve as a mentor for veterinary technicians and facilitate the on-boarding process in collaboration with supervisor.
• Demonstrate excellent leadership skills, resourcefulness, and self-accountability.

Client Interaction:

• Provide patient updates to clients for inpatients
• Relay service-specific requirements and information to clients
• Schedule appointments as required
• Assist in admission of patient to hospital
• Conduct discharge process and collect payment from clients as needed.
• Referring veterinarian and client communication as directed
• Review estimates with client and collect deposit (as required)
• Review with client hospital visitation and discharge policies
• Instruct clients in home care
• Cleaning/Stocking/Equipment Maintenance:
• Coordinate and prioritize daily husbandry care of inpatients and maintain adequate inventory for the service (medical supplies, special food supplies and pharmaceuticals)
• Facilitate the maintenance of clinical equipment by identifying malfunctioning equipment and scheduling service.
• Maintain electrodiagnostic equipment and ordering supplies
• Establish and maintain cleaning protocols for the service areas

Research:

• Assist in studies and projects as needed including treating research/laboratory animals

Basic Requirements:

• Mastery of advanced technical and procedural skills in anesthesia
• 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 an academic or 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.
• Highly motivated, enthusiastic self-starter with a professional attitude.
• Demonstrated ability to instruct students, as determined by student feedback.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and electronic medical record systems

Required technical skills include:

• Specialized technical skills related to neurology or demonstrated ability to learn such skills within 3 months.
• 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

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with small animal anesthesia, neurology and critical care
• 3 years of dedicated specialty experience in a busy, fast-paced hospital
• Veterinary Technician Specialist level skillset in neurology, anesthesia or critical care
• Experience teaching other technicians, veterinary students, veterinary technician students
• Fear Free Certification
• RECOVER Certifcation
• Able to work well independently as well as part of a team.
• Ability to work in a busy, stressful environment with diverse personalities while maintaining a calm, professional demeanor.