What are the responsibilities and job description for the Overnight Veterinary Technician or Veterinary Assistant position at Dogwood Veterinary Specialty and Emergency?
Description
At Dogwood Veterinary Specialty and Emergency, we are dedicated to providing exceptional, compassionate care to pets in need of emergency services and specialized veterinary care. Located in Marietta, GA, our hospital is a leader in the field of critical care, emergency medicine, and specialty services, including: Oncology Surgery and Anesthesia Internal Medicine Critical & Urgent Care …and much more!
As part of our commitment to excellence, we are looking for a Full-Time Overnight Veterinary Technician to join our dedicated team. This role offers the opportunity to work the overnight shift (7:00 PM – 7:00 AM), where you'll be responsible for providing high-level care to critically ill or injured pets while supporting the hospital’s emergency and specialty services.
As an Overnight Veterinary Technician at Dogwood, your primary responsibility will be to ensure that patients receive outstanding care during the overnight hours, when many emergency cases are seen.
Key Responsibilities
Emergency & Critical Care:
- Provide direct care for emergency and critically ill patients, including but not limited to:
- Stabilization of patients experiencing acute distress or trauma
- IV fluid therapy to maintain hydration and electrolyte balance
- Pain management through administration of prescribed analgesics
- Continuous monitoring of vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation)
- Administer medications and treatments as prescribed by the veterinarian, ensuring patient responses are closely monitored
- Assist in emergency procedures such as:
- CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
- Tracheal intubation and airway management
- Wound care, including bandaging and suturing
- Venipuncture for blood draws or IV access
Patient Monitoring:
- Continuously monitor critically ill patients to ensure stability, including tracking vital signs and patient responses
- Operate and maintain advanced monitoring equipment such as:
- ECG (Electrocardiography)
- Pulse oximeter
- Capnography for CO2 monitoring
- Blood pressure cuffs (non-invasive and invasive)
- Provide constant observation of patients during anesthesia for surgeries or diagnostic imaging procedures, ensuring patient safety and comfort
Diagnostic & Laboratory Support:
- Perform diagnostic tests and bloodwork, including:
- CBC (Complete Blood Count), chemistry panels, and blood gas analysis
- Urinalysis to assess kidney and urinary tract function
- Prepare patients for diagnostic imaging (X-rays, ultrasounds), ensuring proper positioning and safety
- Assist veterinarians with interpretation of diagnostic results during critical care cases
- Operate and maintain laboratory equipment, including hematology analyzers and chemistry analyzers, ensuring devices are calibrated and functioning properly
Anesthesia & Surgery Assistance:
- Prepare and assist with emergency surgeries, ensuring proper sterile techniques and equipment setup
- Provide anesthesia monitoring during surgeries, adjusting as needed to maintain patient stability
- Administer anesthetic agents, assisting with induction and recovery, and ensuring patients are stable throughout the procedure
- Provide post-operative care, including:
- Monitoring recovery from anesthesia
- Managing pain relief and ensuring patients remain comfortable
- Observing for complications such as respiratory or cardiovascular instability during recovery
Client Communication & Documentation:
- Communicate clearly and compassionately with pet owners regarding their pets' conditions, procedures, and treatment plans, especially during overnight hours
- Document all aspects of patient care, treatments, and client communications in the electronic medical record (EMR) system
- Provide clear, concise follow-up care instructions to clients once patients are discharged, ensuring they feel supported and informed during the recovery process
Inventory & Equipment Management:
- Ensure medical supplies and medications are adequately stocked, organized, and ready for use during the night shift
- Assist with maintaining and updating controlled substances inventory, ensuring compliance with regulations and proper documentation
- Regularly check and ensure functionality of medical equipment, reporting any malfunctions or issues to appropriate team members for repair or replacement
Team Collaboration & Leadership:
- Work closely with veterinarians, other veterinary technicians, and hospital staff to manage emergency patient care, ensuring smooth operations and effective collaboration
- Assist in mentoring and training junior technicians, interns, and veterinary students, providing guidance on emergency procedures and critical care best practices
- Promote a positive, collaborative environment in the hospital, fostering teamwork and efficient patient care
- Support leadership in identifying opportunities for process improvements and best practices in emergency and critical care
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise to be Successful
Education & Certification:
- Graduation from an accredited Veterinary Technician program
- Must have completed formal veterinary technician education at an accredited institution.
- Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) or Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)
- RVT or LVT certification is preferred. Non-licensed candidates with significant experience and skills will be considered.
- Additional Certifications (preferred but not required):
- Emergency & Critical Care (ECC) Certification
- Canine and Feline CPR Certification
- Anesthesia Certification
Experience:
- Minimum of 3-5 years of veterinary technician experience in a fast-paced, high-volume general practice or emergency veterinary hospital
- Previous experience in emergency, critical care, or specialty veterinary environments strongly preferred.
- Experience with emergency and critical care procedures is highly desirable, including:
- Patient stabilization techniques
- Triage and rapid assessment in emergency situations
- Handling high-acuity cases (e.g., trauma, poisoning, respiratory distress)
- Comfortable in high-pressure, fast-paced environments, with the ability to stay calm and focused during emergencies.
- Experience working overnight shifts in an emergency or specialty setting is a plus.
Technical Skills:
- Proficient in essential veterinary technical skills, including:
- Venipuncture (IV catheter placement, blood draws)
- Placement of urinary catheters (e.g., cystocentesis)
- Endotracheal intubation and airway management
- Emergency CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
- Strong anesthesia monitoring abilities, including:
- Administering anesthetic agents
- Monitoring and adjusting anesthesia during procedures and recovery
- Managing IV fluid therapy to support critical patients
- Experience with diagnostic imaging equipment, such as:
- Digital radiology
- Ultrasound for imaging and diagnostics
- Proficient in laboratory procedures and diagnostics, including:
- Performing and interpreting CBC (Complete Blood Count), chemistry panels, blood gas analysis, and urinalysis
- Familiarity with lab equipment such as hematology analyzers and chemistry analyzers
- Proficient in medical mathematics for accurate medication dosages, fluid calculations, and anesthesia protocols.
Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving:
- Strong critical thinking skills to make swift, accurate decisions in high-stress, fast-paced situations.
- Ability to assess and prioritize patient needs during emergencies, including trauma cases, respiratory distress, and other critical conditions.
- Skilled in troubleshooting and adapting to dynamic, ever-changing patient needs, especially when faced with complicated or unusual medical cases.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex medical information to pet owners.
- Empathy and emotional intelligence when communicating with stressed or anxious clients, particularly during nighttime hours when owners may be more worried about their pets' conditions.
- Ability to explain medical procedures, treatment options, and recovery plans in a clear, reassuring, and compassionate manner.
- Team-oriented communication to work effectively with veterinarians, technicians, and hospital staff during emergency situations and in support of overnight care.
Physical & Emotional Resilience:
- Ability to lift and carry patients up to 40 pounds and assist with patient positioning, especially in critical care or emergency procedures.
- Comfortable performing physically demanding tasks (e.g., positioning patients, lifting, restraining) for extended periods.
- Emotional resilience to handle the stress and emotional challenges that come with working in emergency and critical care settings, especially during overnight hours.
- Ability to maintain focus and efficiency during long shifts in a busy and sometimes high-stress work environment.
What We Offer
Competitive Salary, including Overnight Shift Differentials & Benefits:
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Comprehensive benefits package to support your well-being and financial future:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage with multiple plan options to choose from
- Paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions to help you plan for your future
- Life insurance and short-term disability coverage for added peace of mind
- Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Ongoing Education & Professional Development:
- Opportunities for continued learning and growth, with financial support for:
- Certifications in specialized areas such as Emergency & Critical Care (ECC), Surgery, Oncology, and Anesthesia
- Access to continuing education (CE) courses, workshops, and conferences to stay up-to-date with the latest veterinary practices and technologies
- Support for obtaining advanced certifications in veterinary specialties, allowing you to expand your skill set and career potential
State-of-the-Art Facilities & Technology:
- Access to the latest diagnostic and treatment technologies, including:
- Advanced imaging equipment such as digital radiology and ultrasound for accurate diagnostics
- Cutting-edge laboratory equipment for real-time bloodwork, diagnostics, and patient monitoring
- High-tech anesthesia machines and patient monitoring systems to ensure the best care for critical cases
- Well-equipped emergency and specialty treatment areas with everything you need to provide top-tier care
Collaborative Team Environment:
- Work alongside a dedicated and supportive team of skilled veterinary professionals, including:
- Experienced veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and support staff who are passionate about animal care
- Collaborative environment where all team members contribute their expertise to provide the highest level of care for patients
- Opportunities for mentorship and knowledge sharing, with senior staff committed to fostering your growth and development
Impactful & Rewarding Work:
- Make a real difference in the lives of pets and their families by:
- Providing life-saving treatment and stabilization to critically ill and injured animals
- Delivering compassionate care and support to pet owners during some of their most challenging moments
- Take pride in being part of a team that saves lives and improves the health and well-being of animals in need
- Opportunity to work in a field that brings meaningful rewards, knowing that your efforts directly impact the health and happiness of pets and their families
About Dogwood Veterinary Specialty and Emergency
Dogwood Veterinary Specialty and Emergency strives to be at the forefront of veterinary emergency and specialty medicine, to offer the most effective diagnostics, and treatment options for each of our patients. We are also committed to the veterinary profession, in partnering with veterinarians and advancing the practice of veterinary medicine.
Dogwood Veterinary Specialty and Emergency is a proud partner of Innovetive Petcare. Where we believe that you are the future of veterinary medicine. Cultivate, innovate, develop, and collaborate. Excellent pet care comes from exceptional teams.
Dogwood Veterinary Specialty and Emergency is a proud partner of Innovetive Petcare. Where we believe that you are the future of veterinary medicine. Cultivate, innovate, develop, and collaborate. Excellent pet care comes from exceptional teams.
Equal Opportunity Employer Policy
Dogwood Veterinary Specialty and Emergency is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. We are proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, or any other non-merit factor. All qualified applicants, including minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
