Veterinary Technician I - Large Animal Hospital

Veterinary Assistant

The Large Animal Hospital provides high quality medical/surgical care to inpatient, outpatient, and critical emergency large animal cases. The Veterinary Assistants of the large animal hospital are well versed at handling multiple different species that are cared for in our hospital. In addition to horses, which comprise much of our case load, our staff also has the opportunity to work with a variety of other species including alpacas, goats, sheep, pigs and other large animal species. Our veterinary assistants work together with the veterinary teams of residents, interns, and faculty clinicians to provide quality, compassionate, and timely care to all our patients.

As a teaching hospital, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University is well known for the ability to offer a wide variety of cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic options for our large animal patients and their owners. In addition to patient care, employees are required to teach and support the veterinary students throughout their rotation in the Large Animal Hospital.

Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University has excellent resources, and health benefits to offer, and plenty of Continuing Education opportunities to further enhance our staff and our hospital surroundings. This position is a based on a 35-hour 4 day work week. Compensation rate above what is listed will be considered based on education, experience, and credentials. Generous shift differentials are offered for any scheduled hours worked outside of normal business hours, which are Monday-Friday 8am-5pm and range between an additional $2-$4 per hour. A substantial holiday premium pay is applied to any University-designated holiday. The University observes a minimum of thirteen holidays throughout the calendar year.

If you are looking for a new challenge and a rewarding experience in the veterinary/large animal field, please consider the opportunities that we have available.

What You'll Do

Responsible for providing high quality nursing care and treatment to all Internal Medicine, General Diagnostics and Surgery Service, and Sports Medicine Service patients as directed by clinicians/residents or supervising technicians. As a team member, assist other technicians in carrying out the daily patient management plan, which includes inpatient care and treatment, providing technical support for other clinicians and students, guidance, and instruction to students on rotation, and assisting with routine/emergency admissions and discharges.

• Overall observation of all LA patients. Perform treatments. Assure general comfort and safety of animals and be alert to any unforeseen circumstances. Competently administer Rx as ordered. Provide instruction/assistance to fourth-year students, new hires, and visiting interns, i.e., catheterizations, venipuncture, rough/sterile preps, proper restraint techniques, reflux horses. Assist with discharge/admission of patients, grooming, leg wraps, on-loading and off-loading animals. Follow protocols as set forth by all departments within the HLA and FHSA.
• Provide emergency and routine technical assistance for all clinic admissions. Set up colic cart, catheterizations, prepare for abdominocentesis, rectal examination, reflux, assist with proper restraint techniques. Set up and use of Endoscopy equipment, Radiology equipment and various other monitoring and diagnostic devices.
• Restocking and cleaning of treatment areas (i.e., inpatient and outpatient treatment rooms, neonatal ward, isolation). Order supplies from Central Sterile as needed to assure adequate supplies are always available in the treatment areas. Maintain cleanliness and order in treatment areas as well hospital wards. Follow Biosecurity protocols. Assist in keeping isolation stalls neat and orderly.
• Additional tasks deemed necessary per Supervisor or Hospital Administration

This position has a fixed 4-day work week schedule, with one on call shift per week. Schedule is Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 11:00 PM-7AM, and Saturday 7:00 PM -7: AM, with an on-call shift Fri 3 PM- 11 PM once trained

This position is considered essential and is therefore required to report to work as scheduled during emergency closings and University Holidays.

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

• High School Diploma /GED
• At least one year of related experience
• Large Animal Handling & Equine Handling Skills Required
• Computer proficiency/Electronic Medical Records
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Vocational/Technical training or Associate/Bachelor's Degree
• Degree from Accredited Veterinary Technology, Veterinary Science Animal Science
• 2+ years' experience
• Computer skills & EMR exposure
• Veterinary Technician eligible

Pay Range

Minimum $23.00, Midpoint $27.35, Maximum $31.70 Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.