Surgery Veterinary Technician/Assistant (Full-Time)

Surgery Veterinary Technician I

Responsible for assisting veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and supporting daily operations in the surgery department. Ability to cross-train in all medical departments and independently complete tasks and assignments with the guidance of veterinarians, managers, leads, and more experienced technicians.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Induce and prepare patients for procedures, monitor patients under anesthesia.
• Intubate and extubate patients.
• Prepare anesthetic drugs for each patient.
• Use in house laboratory equipment, perform necessary steps for urinalysis, fecal analysis, ear cytology, blood smears, and facilitate outside lab work.
• Recognize the signs of a patient in distress.
• Complete CPR training, understand and follow CPR protocols.
• Complete Fear Free Shelters training, and follow Fear Free handling practices.
• Adhere to organizational standard operating procedures and protocols.
• Demonstrate high level of customer service with clients.
• Clean, pack, and sterilize instruments.
• Work seamlessly with medical staff and volunteers.
• Work in all areas of surgery: operating room, prep room, recovery area, drug preparation, dental room, and sterilization room.
• Follow guidance from veterinarians, managers, leads, and coworkers.
• Demonstrate punctuality, motivation, integrity, responsibility, and reliability.
• Demonstrate a willing and positive attitude within the work environment.
• Report issues with surgical equipment to Surgery Manager.
• Report drug log inaccuracies to Surgery Manager.
• Support and follow direction of surgery flow given by Lead Surgery Vet Tech.
• Maintain appropriate standard of care regarding patient housing.
• Meet performance expectations within all areas of surgery.
• Perform other duties as requested by the Director of Veterinary Services, Surgery Manager, other managers, veterinarians, or leads.

Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of phlebotomy, lab work, IV catheter placement, wound management/bandaging, fluid maintenance, injectable and oral medication administration.
• Basic knowledge of dental radiographs and dental scaling.
• Basic knowledge of surgery instruments and equipment.
• Must have good communication skills including the ability to effectively present information to others through verbal or written reports.
• Approachability in communications with the general public.
• This position requires the ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical procedures and other business correspondence.
• Must demonstrate consistent follow-through and completion of tasks given through various methods of communication.
• Ability to work well with others for a common goal.
• Experience working as a veterinary technician/assistance/nurse.
• Experience working in a veterinary surgery department and experience with anesthesia preferred.
• Possess the ability to remain calm, cool, and collected under duress, with high emotional fortitude.
• High attention to detail.
• Ability to work in fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Interest in learning and openness to change.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task.
• Personal accountability in ensuring timely and effective completion of all surgical team responsibilities.
• Compliance with Peggy Adams' workplace culture.
• Willingness and ability to advocate the League's and Medical Services' positions on issues in a professional manner.
• Must be willing to work in other areas within Medical Services or the shelter as operational need requires.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Bilingual, a plus.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is consistently required to stand, move, and kneel or crouch. In addition, the employee is constantly required to speak, hear, and use hands for grasping, reaching and other operative tasks. The employee is required to stand and sit frequently. The employee will also be required to bend neck and twist body. The employee will be required to consistently lift an animate or stationary object of up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to an indoor office environment as well as outdoor weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to animal odors and animal fur. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Potential for exposure to zoonotic diseases, dangerous and fractious animals, hazardous chemicals, anesthetics, and sharp objects. Field conditions may be encountered.