Anesthesia Veterinary Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary:

The role of Equine Anesthetist (Anesthesia Technician) is significant in ensuring the safety & welfare of the horse during the anesthesia procedures & recovery. It is a specialized field that requires training, commitment and dedication requiring often long or extra hours day, night, weekends.

South Valley Equine’s Anesthesia Technician will support and assist Veterinarians by completing clinical and clerical tasks while providing the best patient care. A veterinary technician plays an essential role in in both routine and emergency medical care. Both clinical skills and knowledge will be utilized in the support of the Veterinarian and the general staff.

Principal Duties and Accountabilities:

• Pre-Op evaluation: patient history, physical exam, lab tests, patient health status.
• The anesthesia technician position works in a team environment in preparation of surgical procedures.
• Perform procedures according to doctors’ preferences and scheduling.
• Anesthesia Administration.
• Create a plan appropriate for each patient.
• Calculate tranquilization/sedation dose appropriate based on weight, breed and pre op history.
• Place IV catheters.
• Set up surgical tools & room. 
• Proper positioning of patient on surgery table & into recovery.
• Intubate patient.
• Set up & understanding of how to use surgical monitoring equipment.
• Maintain equipment proper use; replace worn or damaged parts as needed.
• Proper cleaning of equipment routinely.
• Learn to use & properly maintain anesthesia machine.
• Control depth of anesthesia through injectables (TIVA), CRI’s, inhalant gas.
• Understanding of pain management & provide analgesia.
• Log controlled drugs.
• Fill out anesthesia forms for each patient (medical/legal documentation).
• Schedule medications post- op & assign patient to designated stall area.
• Appropriately bill procedures & medications associated with the surgery.
• Work with Surgeons & other Anesthetists & surgical scrub technicians team environment.
• Oversee all tools are properly sterilized and returned to their proper stored area.
• Restock meds, instruments, equipment- Place transfer requests & inventory items for surgery department.
• Oversee/ assist in Clean-up of surgical suite & recovery/ induction areas. 
• Capable of recognizing an emergency patient situation; ie) respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, & provide immediate & appropriate intervention.
• Have a solid base knowledge of medications and their use. 
• Experienced horse handling skills to help handle horses especially in pre op & recovery situations.
• Communicate with surgeons & scrub technicians to ensure safe & effective anesthesia management.
• Check oxygen tank levels

 

Related Duties and Accountabilities:

• Assist Veterinarians clinically.
• Daily patient care.
• Prepare for procedures and treatments.
• Administration of PO, IV and IM medications.
• Trotting and jogging horses during lameness exams.
• Prepare discharge instructions and prescriptions as per doctor’s notes.
• Process in-house prescription and supplement orders.
• Manage laboratory samples - pertaining to both in-house and out-of-house samples obtainment, storage, and disposal.
• Efficient and accurate use of in-house laboratory equipment.
• Foaling out mares – labor and delivery assistance and post-foaling care.
• Assist Veterinarians clerically.
• Maintain proper documentation in the written and electronic medical record (EMR). 
• Maintain supplies (medications, bandage materials and equipment) in veterinarian trucks, hospital, and exam areas.
• Take dictation from veterinarian and enter into EMR. 
• Prepare invoices and process payment transactions.
• Relay communications to and from clients, doctors, staff and management
• General barn maintenance including, but not limited to stall cleaning, feeding, and watering. 
• Maintain professionalism in appearance, demeanor and communications. 
• Keep the clinic clean and presentable.
• Thorough communication upon shift change.

NOTE: This list presents only the principal duties of the position and is not intended to be comprehensive. Other duties or responsibilities may be assigned as dictated by the business needs and conditions. As an essential function of the job, good attendance is required.

Appearance:

 

All employees are required to dress in a manner acceptable for interacting with clients and other professionals. Your personal appearance and dress are expected to be appropriate to the professional nature of our business. The image of the clinic in the eyes of clients, vendors and the public is affected by the appearance of our employees.

• Neatly pressed scrub tops and bottoms, or scrub top with jeans without holes and frayed areas.
• Collared or button-up shirts white, gray, blue or black in color to represent the clinic colors. No tank tops and plunging necklines.
• Clean boots or closed-toe shoes.
• Hats are acceptable as long as they do not promote a competitor.
• Hair is expected to be clean and neat in appearance. Longer hair must be pulled back.

SVE will send out shirts for embroidery Biannually (March & October). Full time employees are reimbursed up to $125 per year and part time employees are reimbursed up to $62.50 per year for clothing to be embroidered with the SVE logo. Please provide an itemized receipt to the Practice Admin. for reimbursement.

Qualifications, Educational Skills and Experience:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. 

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to communicate empathy to client regarding sensitive subjects related to their and/or their animal’s experience at SVE. Ability to work patiently with distressed, frustrated, and disgruntled clients. Ability to show compassion to clients in various emotional states.

Computer Skills:

• Internet, Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word and Excel preferred but not required.
• Above average typing skills (50 WPM).

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Communicate with empathy and patience when working with distressed, frustrated and disgruntled clients. 
• Basic understanding of core vaccinations, deworming schedules.
• Basic understanding of common equine diseases and behaviors.
• Basic understanding of laboratory tests is preferred.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment.
• General understanding of computer applications (internet and communications).
• Ability to work independently but also be able to take direction from others.
• Multi-task in a busy environment.
• Open to continuous learning and advancing skills.
• Ability to anticipate veterinarian’s needs.
• Reliability, punctuality and adaptability are key components of success as a Vet Tech.
• Flexibility with schedule to start early, stay late, perform on-call duty and/or weekend work as-needed.
• Ability to identify and communicated after-hours emergency situations to doctors and senior staff. 

 

Physical Demands:

• Must be able successfully hold, jog and restrain large animals.
• Must be able to have full range of motion in order to interact with animals and provide care. 
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, at times. 
• Must be able to access and navigate all terrains of the facilities.

 

Work Environment:

• May, occasionally, be exposed to outside weather conditions, if necessary.
• Must be able to work effectively in an environment with exposure to dirt, dust, pollen, chemicals, animal hair and other particulates. 

 

Education/Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Basic experience with and knowledge of horses and the equine culture. 
• Minimum 2 years of experience as a Veterinary Technician

 

 

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Veterinary Technician Certification preferred