ICU Veterinary Assistant

Established in 1983, the NC State Veterinary Hospital (VH) is one of the nation's highest-rated academic medical centers, serving North Carolina and the surrounding region. The VH treats nearly 35,000 patients annually across more than 20 clinical services, utilizing a team-based approach that leverages the expertise of nationally and internationally renowned board-certified specialists. The VH is dedicated to: * Clinical Excellence: Providing compassionate, state-of-the-art specialty healthcare at the cutting edge of veterinary medicine. * Education: Delivering expert clinical instruction to fourth-year veterinary students from the College of Veterinary Medicine. * Innovation: Advancing the field through the ongoing investigation of innovative techniques and medical procedures. Wolfpack Perks and Benefits As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone. What we offer: * Medical, Dental, and Vision * Flexible Spending Account * Retirement Programs * Disability Plans * Life Insurance * Accident Plan * Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs * 12 Holidays Each Year * Tuition and Academic Assistance * And so much more! Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community. Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered. Essential Job Duties The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Veterinary Assistant provides advanced nursing care within the 24/7 high-acuity unit of the Randall B. Terry Jr. Companion Animal Medical Center. Operating in a fast-paced teaching environment, this role manages a varied caseload of small animal and exotic patients. The position requires a high level of clinical expertise, professional communication, and the ability to coordinate care seamlessly between specialty services, clinicians, and students. Clinical Excellence & Patient Care * Advanced Nursing Interventions: Perform complex medical treatments, including catheter placement (venous, arterial, and central), oxygen therapy (nasal/chest tubes), urinary management, and blood/plasma transfusions. * Critical Monitoring & Diagnostics: Monitor vital signs (TPR, BP, ECG), manage ventilator support, and utilize specialized equipment such as pulse oximeters, wound vacuums, and ultrasound machines. * Emergency Response: Perform CPR and provide immediate life-saving support for patients in crisis. * Pharmacological Management: Calculate and administer high-risk medications, including constant rate infusions (CRI), intravenous fluids, and complex pain management protocols. * Specialized Recovery: Manage post-anesthetic and post-surgical recovery for high-risk neurological, soft tissue, trauma, and extracorporeal patients. * Infection Control: Maintain rigorous standards for isolation protocols, antibiotic-resistant cases, and infectious disease management. Coordination & Educational Support * Clinical Communication: Coordinate patient admissions and care plans by synthesizing information from clinicians and students regarding diagnostics and treatment goals. * Instruction & Mentorship: Actively teach, coach, and orient 4th-year veterinary students, interns, residents, and new staff on hospital policies and advanced patient care techniques. * Data Management: Accurately record and communicate patient data, diagnostic results, and treatment histories using hospital information systems. * Client Relations: Support and facilitate client visitations, maintaining professional empathy in emotionally charged or challenging situations. Professional Standards & Operations * Safety & Compliance: Maintain a clean, functional workspace in accordance with OSHA, EHS, radiation safety, and hospital infectious disease policies. * Team Collaboration: Participate actively in problem-solving and team advancement, working independently with sound judgment while requesting assistance when necessary. * Operational Agility: Demonstrate the physical ability to lift up to 50 pounds, work around potential hazards (zoonotic diseases, chemicals, gases), and extend work hours as required by patient needs. Other Responsibilities * Other duties as assigned. Qualifications Minimum Experience/Education Completion of an accredited training program in the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. Some positions may require additional Training, Certifications, or Licensure. Preferred Qualifications * Advanced Clinical Experience: Previous experience as a veterinary technician in an emergency or critical care clinical setting; preferably at a teaching hospital. * Instructional Background: Proven experience in teaching, coaching, or mentoring veterinary students and junior staff members within a clinical environment. * Specialized Technical Proficiency: Advanced competency in managing high-acuity interventions, including ventilator monitoring, central line placement, and complex anesthetic recoveries. * Critical Thinking & Pharmacology: Strong aptitude for high-risk drug calculations (CRIs) and the ability to exercise independent judgment in rapidly changing medical situations. * Communication & Resilience: Demonstrated ability to provide high-quality customer service and maintain professional composure during emotionally charged or high-stress client interactions. Required License or Certification N/A Valid NC Driver's License required No Commercial Driver's License Required? No