Surgery Technician

Job Description

Job Description

About Company:

Our Vision: Create a world with more play, more joy, more love, more comfort, more togetherness, and more peace. 

Our Mission: To Provide Excellence in Care. With Love.

We achieve this by:

• Practicing the highest quality team-based care;
• Creating one practice within a multi-specialty environment;
• Caring for our patients, each other, our clients, and our family veterinarians;
• Creating a trusting, emotional, and empathetic bond.

JOB SUMMARY

Surgery and Anesthesia Technician, RVT

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Surgery and Anesthesia Technician to support our surgical team in delivering high-quality patient care. In this role, you will assist with surgical procedures, prepare and maintain operating rooms, and support anesthesia administration before, during, and after surgery.

Key responsibilities include setting up surgical instruments and equipment, ensuring proper sterilization, preparing patients for procedures, monitoring anesthesia equipment, and assisting with patient positioning. You will work closely with our surgeons, technicians, and other clinical and administrative staff to ensure procedures run smoothly and safely.

The Surgery & Anesthesia Technician works under the primary direction of the Surgery Technician Lead and surgeons. This is an overview of the position and specific duties aren’t limited to those listed.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESPatient Care & Surgical Support

• Recognize incoming patients requiring immediate medical triage and take appropriate emergency action
• Assist surgical staff during operations by passing instruments and supplies, anticipating team needs, and maintaining a strict sterile field
• Assist veterinarians with general anesthesia, medical procedures, diagnostic imaging, surgery, and safe patient restraint
• Monitor the health, status, and well-being of all assigned hospitalized patients continuously.
• Administer treatments, fluid therapy, and blood products while overseeing patient care, comfort, and feeding
• Collaborate with clinical team members to support patient positioning and surgical preparation
• Perform specimen collection and laboratory diagnostics, including blood work, microbiology, urinalysis, and fecal analysis
• Prepare and dispense prescription medications, providing clear administration instructions and answering client questions

Surgical Preparation, Sterilization & Safety

• Adhere strictly to infection control protocols and safety standards to maintain a clean, safe, and sterile surgical environment
• Prepare operating rooms by setting up surgical instruments, equipment, and sterile drapes tailored to specific procedures
• Ensure all surgical instruments and medical equipment are properly cleaned, sterilized, and maintained before and after procedures
• Monitor and manage inventory across the surgical suite, central supply, pharmacy, and laboratory to ensure availability
• Inspect and ensure all clinical equipment is fully operational and in good repair

Client Communication & Support

• Obtain thorough patient histories, radiographs, diagnostic results, and relevant medical background prior to exams
• Explain treatment plans, discharge instructions, and financial estimates clearly to clients, addressing any questions or concerns
• Communicate patient status updates and treatment plans regularly with clients and primary care veterinarians
• Employ active listening skills to address client concerns proactively and offer reassurance to distressed owners
• Knowledgeably discuss hospital services and fees, transferring specialized questions to the appropriate veterinarian
• Greet clients warmly, assist with patient transport into the building when needed, and guide clients through the appointment process
• Consistently demonstrate patience, kindness, and professionalism in all client and patient interactions

Clinical Documentation & Administration

• Maintain prompt and accurate treatment records, informing veterinarians immediately of any changes in patient condition
• Document surgical procedures and maintain accurate logs for instrument usage and sterilization processes
• Answer incoming multi-line phone calls using Four Seasons Veterinary Specialists standard phone etiquette
• Schedule, reschedule, or cancel appointments accurately, providing clients with pre-appointment guidelines
• Collect, verify, and update patient and client information in the practice management database
• Clean, sanitize, and restock examination rooms, treatment areas, kennels, runs, and supply stations

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) 
• Minimum 2 years recent experience in a veterinary practice with increasing responsibility. 
• Skilled in animal handling, lifting, restraint, and able to stand for extended periods.
• Proficient in IV catheter placement, blood draws, lab work, anesthesia monitoring, medication administration, and triage.
• Solid knowledge of veterinary procedures and terminology; committed to continued learning.
• Understanding of OSHA, DEA, and animal health regulations.

Preferred:

• 2+ years experience with veterinary surgery and anesthesia preferred
• Degree in Veterinary Technology from an accredited program
• Familiarity with Fear Free handling techniques.
• Experience with Instinct EMR and treatment software.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of small animal nursing care, patient monitoring and administration of therapy
• Knowledge of standard protocols for providing support to veterinarians and other staff during patient procedures and treatment
• Knowledge of sterilization techniques for various instruments and materials
• Knowledge of the use, care and storage of veterinary medical, surgical, laboratory and imaging equipment and instruments
• Knowledge of veterinary medical terminology and procedures
• Ability to work in a busy and/or stressful environment calmly and productively
• Ability to work in an organized way, prioritizing tasks, and managing time to maximize efficiency
• Ability to show initiative, think ahead and look for ways to help the team
• Regular and reliable on-site attendance of scheduled shifts
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Practice tact, diplomacy, empathy and patience
• Exercise appropriate veterinary medical knowledge and knowledge of the hospital’s programs, products and services
• Familiarity with federal and state animal health laws, including OSHA and DEA regulations
• Ability to collaborate effectively across all hospital departments to uphold the Four Seasons mission and vision
• Knowledge of general office practices and telephone techniques
• Familiarity with computer and multi-line telephone systems
• Knowledge of handling payment transactions

SAFETY

• Follow OSHA and USP guidelines for safety and handling of hazardous materials
• Follow established hospital safety protocols for animal handling, controlled substances, radiation protection, bite wounds, and equipment use
• Maintain familiarity with federal and state animal health laws, including OSHA and DEA regulations

Physical Demands

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to stand, walk, for extended periods, (up to 8-10 hours per shift)
• Frequent bending, kneeling, reaching, crouching, crawling and twisting to examine patients, re-stock inventory or move medical equipment. 
• The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and hold animals in awkward, static positions for X-rays or maintaining surgical postures. 
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds with assistance.  
• The employee is routinely exposed to bodily fluids, strong chemicals, anesthesia gases, and the physical risk of being bitten or scratched by stressed patients. 

Work Environment 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently exposed to risk of radiation. 
• The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. 
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
• Employees may encounter animals or work in environments where zoonotic diseases could be present, posing a risk of transmission. Proper safety protocols and protective measures must be followed at all times to minimize this risk.
• Involves scheduled on-call, overnight, and weekend coverage depending on hospital needs.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Monday - Friday (7:30AM to 5:30PM)
Involves scheduled on-call, overnight, and weekend coverage depending on hospital needs.

40 hours per week, (4-10 hours shifts)