Veterinary Technician, Neurology

Neurology Veterinary Technician

ARISE is hiring a full time Neurology Veterinary Technician. Schedule: Four 10-hour shifts Monday through Thursday or Tuesday through Friday with the flexibility to work either shifts. Start dates will be staggered depending on availability for training.

Benefits include VTS Support, CE Allowance, Uniform Allowance, Paid License Renewal Fees, Paid Time Off, Employee Pet Discount, Shift/Weekend Pay Differential, Opportunity for VTNE Reimbursement, 401k, Medical/Dental/Vision, Disability Insurance, and Life Insurance.

ARISE is a 24-hour veterinary emergency and critical care (AVECCC) and specialty hospital in Queen Creek, AZ. We have the most skilled doctors in the state and provide significantly complex treatments in the western US. The teams in this department work closely with surgeons, oncologists, internists, radiologists, and a critical care team to provide the highest quality care to our patients. The hospital provides an opportunity to work with state-of-the-art technology including, but not limited to, CT, MRI, and ultrasound. ARISE is an organization that prides itself on its core values to drive a dynamic culture. We offer a unique training program that offers many opportunities to learn and grow from Technician Assistant to our Senior Veterinary Technicians, shift leads, supervisors, and managers.

ARISE has a commitment to health and wellness, not only for our patients, but also for our staff. To help manage burnout and compassion fatigue, employees have access to an onsite social worker dedicated to their personal wellness. ARISE offers a competitive compensation package to include but not limited to: CE allowance, full health benefit packages, 401K with a company match, employee pet discounts, and Paid Time Off.

Job Purpose: The purpose of the Veterinary Neurology Technician is to provide high quality medical support and nursing care to companion animal patients. The Neurology Technician works collaboratively with Neurologists, Emergency clinicians, Radiology, Surgery, and other specialty services to ensure seamless patient care throughout the diagnostic and treatment process.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Technical Duties:

• Obtain complete patient histories and perform thorough nursing assessments.
• Assist with neurological examinations and accurately document findings.
• Monitor patients for changes in mentation, gait, cranial nerve function, proprioception, and pain levels.
• Provide nursing care for hospitalized neurology patients, including those requiring intensive monitoring.
• Safely handle and restrain neurologically compromised patients using low-stress handling techniques.
• Assist with mobility support, sling walking, turning schedules, and prevention of pressure sores.
• Monitor urinary function and provide bladder expression or urinary catheter care when indicated.
• Maintain accurate neurologic flow sheets and patient documentation.
• Prepare neurosurgical patients for surgery.
• Assist with pre-operative and post-operative patient care.
• Maintain sterile technique and assist during neurosurgical procedures as assigned.
• Monitor anesthesia during neurologic surgeries.
• Recover patients safely following anesthesia while recognizing neurologic complications.
• Assist with postoperative pain management and neurological monitoring.
• Proficient IV catheter placement
• Use and maintain IV pumps
• Understands and carries out written and oral directions
• Proficient and accurate drug calculations and administration
• Quality nursing and husbandry care of patients
• Strong working knowledge of veterinary procedures and pharmacology
• Perform in‐hospital lab testing and prepare specimens for outside labs, as needed when lab tech is not available. Report diagnostic testing results to veterinarians
• Perform and/or participate in all other diagnostics such as radiology, ultrasound, ECG, BP, and glucose monitoring
• Assist veterinarians in outpatient exams by taking histories, vital signs and weights as well as providing client education
• Accurately and completely record all treatments
• Perform client callbacks as necessary
• Maintain legally defensible medical records in cooperation with veterinarians
• Monitor anesthesia utilizing equipment such as pulse oximeter and electrocardiogram
• Prepare patients for surgery including pre-op medications, induction/intubation, and surgery preparations
• Assist veterinarian through surgery and monitor patients through anesthesia recovery
• Keep accurate anesthesia/surgical medical records
• Effectively communicate treatment and costs to owners and collect signatures and/or verbal consent forms and treatment plans

Housekeeping Duties:

• Maintain cleanliness of surgery suite, treatment area and exam rooms for all surfaces, including lights, tables, cabinets, walls and floors
• Keep areas stocked with necessities
• Maintain equipment cleanliness and longevity by vacuuming pet hair from keyboards, wheels and equipment
• Clean cages, provide fresh bedding regularly and sanitize the cages between patients
• Discard sharps appropriately and exchange for empty containers when necessary

Administrative Duties:

• Log controlled drugs via Inventory System (Cubex)
• Know how to use the inventory module in our veterinary practice‐management software
• Restock shelves and drawers in exam rooms and treatment area
• Follow OSHA requirements
• Follow practice's health and safety protocols
• Be proficient in using our veterinary practice‐management software (EzyVet, SmartFlow, Otto)
• Assist CES and DA Teams (Front Desk) as necessary
• Attending staff and individual meetings as scheduled

Client Services:

• Answer incoming phone calls; respond with appropriate information; encourage patient exam/evaluation
• Greet incoming clients/patients; facilitate medical record paperwork/computer entry
• Create estimates for services as requested by the doctor
• Call in prescriptions as advised by DVM
• Admit/discharge patients
• Collaborate with referring DVMs
• Educate clients on hospitalization expectations and home care instructions.
• Demonstrate mobility assistance, medication administration, and rehabilitation techniques.
• Provide compassionate support to clients during difficult medical situations.
• Reinforce discharge instructions provided by the Neurologist.

Teamwork:

• Participates in a positive manner in all group sizes.
• Refrains from participating in gossip‐leads by example.
• Supports team members by assisting other areas, is receptive to feedback and suggestions.
• Engages in active problem‐solving vs. Problem‐identifying.
• Makes suggestions related to client/patient service improvements and hospital efficiency.
• Collaborate with Emergency, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Oncology, Radiology, and Critical Care teams.
• Assist as a technician in other departments within the hospital if necessary
• Communicate patient updates during shift changes using standardized handoff procedures.
• Assist in training new technicians and veterinary assistants.
• Participate in continuing education and department training.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Neurosurgical nursing care
• Postoperative patient monitoring
• Critical care nursing
• Pain management
• Venipuncture and IV catheter placement
• Medical calculations
• Electronic medical record documentation
• Patient handling and mobility assistance
• Client communication
• Team collaboration
• Critical thinking and problem solving
• Seizure recognition and management
• MRI and CT patient preparation
• Experience equivalent to job duties and responsibilities
• Excellent veterinary nursing and technical skills
• Excellent communication skills – written and verbal
• Strong computer skills
• Strong ability to multi‐task, delegate and oversee daily workflow
• Strong working knowledge of emergency veterinary medicine
• Strong work ethic and professionalism

Physical:

• Able to properly restrain dog and cat patients for veterinary care and procedures
• Able to stand, sit, bend, restrain, squat for extended periods of time
• Able to function within a busy, stressful work environment in a mature, professional manner
• Able to lift 60 lbs. in a safe manner
• Able to type, write and verbally converse
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