Veterinary Technician III - Inpatient Medicine

Overview

Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University provides 24-hour care for pets 365 days of the year. Since 1985, we have offered high quality medical care, consultation, referral, and emergency veterinary services for the care of dogs, cats, and exotic pets. The hospital also serves as the primary clinical training environment for the veterinary students, interns, and residents.

This position qualifies for a $2,000 sign on bonus following successful completion of 6 months of employment for newly hired employees.

What You'll Do

The Inpatient Medicine Veterinary Technician III performs advanced and more specialized technical procedures with limited supervision from the attending veterinarian or supervising technician. Under minimal supervision the Inpatient Medicine Veterinary Technician III makes decisions and provides advanced veterinary patient nursing care, respecting the directions of the attending veterinarian. This role requires coaching and mentoring of junior staff along with the training of new technicians. The Veterinary Technician III is responsible for teaching and supervising veterinary and technician students performing more advanced technical skills and nursing care. As part of our highly competitive benefits package, we offer a liberal continuing education allowance and tuition reimbursement program to all technicians employed in Foster Hospital for Small Animals in order to promote personal and professional growth. The minimum rate of pay for this position is $30.50 per hour based off a 35 hour budgeted work week. Compensation above this rate will vary based on education, experience, and credentials. Generous shift differentials are offered for any scheduled hours worked outside of normal business hours, which are Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. The Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Technician is considered an essential employee within the hospital and the schedule may include providing University and calendar holiday coverage on a rotating basis. A substantial holiday premium pay is applied to any University designated holiday. The University observes a minimum of thirteen holidays throughout the calendar year.

• Patient Care. Provide high quality patient care including the following:

• Monitor, manage and implement treatment plans as ordered by clinicians to insure prompt delivery of high-quality care to inpatient, acute care, exotic and isolation cases.

• Collaborate with administrative and clinical care team members throughout the hospital to coordinate and prioritize patient care in a high-volume environment.

• Assist clinicians with procedures.

• Identify and communicate changes in patient condition to members of the patient care team.

• Complete diagnostic testing as ordered by clinicians including bench-top lab tests.

• Teaching. Teaching responsibilities include:

• Instruct veterinary students and student technicians in all technical aspects of patient care.

• Assist in training, orienting, and mentoring new Veterinary Technicians and Animal Care Attendants in all aspects of the department.

• Coach and mentor junior staff members as directed by supervisory staff.

• Participate in provision of formal CE training.

• Research. Assist in studies and projects as needed including treating research/laboratory animals.

• Maintenance. Clinical maintenance includes:

• Maintain adequate inventory of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals.

• Handle control substances according to written SOPs as required.

• Clean and maintain clinical areas including treatment and patient housing areas.

• Facilitate the maintenance of clinical equipment by identifying malfunctioning equipment and scheduling service.

• Other. Other duties as assigned by supervisor and assistant supervisor including:

• Provide coverage for other sections of the hospital as needed.

• Participate in service and hospital wide initiatives as required.

• Complete at least 6 hours of RACE approved CE annually.

• Effectively communicate with clients to provide education, explain treatment plans, and review discharge instructions including medication administration.

The schedule for this position will be Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 6am-3:15pm

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

• A minimum of 3 years of experience as a certified veterinary technician in a University Hospital or in a similar environment functioning at a level consistent with a Vet Tech II.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and electronic medial record systems
• Mastery of advanced technical and procedural skills associated with treating critically ill patients.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently when conducting complex tasks, with minimal supervision.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively as a member of a diverse team of clinical and administrative professionals.
• Excellent understanding of medical terminology and veterinary pharmacology, including knowledge of and ability to identify adverse drug reactions.
• Demonstrated ability to provide exceptional service to both internal and external customers, and to work collegially as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to instruct students, as determined by student feedback.
• Be able to independently initiate steps to perform CPR in absence of an attending veterinarian.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs with or without accommodation.
• Veterinary Technician
• Veterinary Technician

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Associate's Degree in Veterinary Technology
• Exotic animal handling skills. Exotic animals include birds, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, rodents, special small mammals (such as chinchillas or hedgehogs), reptiles, and amphibians.
• Veterinary Technician Specialist Certification
• Veterinary Technician Credentialed as a Certified
• Advanced Life Support RECOVER basic certification
• Veterinary Technician Specialist Certification
• Veterinary Technician Credentialed as a Certified
• Advanced Life Support
• Fear Free Certified

Pay Range

Minimum $27.85, Midpoint $33.15, Maximum $38.50

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.