Description

Job Overview:

The licensed veterinary technician, provides caring, compassionate and detail-oriented nursing care for hospitalized patients and outpatients. They are responsible for correctly and efficiently executing treatments, diagnostics, and medication administration at the appropriate times. They must maintain detailed and correct medical records in Infinity, while ensuring all charges are included in invoice. Updates and communicates with client in a timely and respective manner. 

Required Technical Skills:

·         Draw blood, place peripheral IVC, central lines, PICC lines and intraosseous catheters in small animals

·         Obtain sterile urine samples through urinary catheters or cystocentesis in dogs and cats

·         Monitor and maintain PICC lines and triple-lumen central jugular catheters in dogs and cat

·         Place, monitor and maintain temporary and indwelling urinary catheters in male and female cats and dogs

·         Take radiographs using correct patient positioning and safety techniques

·         Induce, maintain, and recover stable and unstable patients from sedation and general anesthesia

·         Place, monitor, and maintain nasogastric or naso-esophageal feeding tubes in cats and dogs

·         Monitor and maintain esophageal feeding tubes

·         Placement of nasal cannulas for nasal oxygen delivery

·         Ability to use and monitor the Snyder oxygen cage for oxygen dependent patients

·         Set up, monitor, and maintain patients on high-flow oxygen

·         Sterile intubation of long-term intubated patients

·         Initiating and maintaining patients on a ventilator with adjustable FiO2

·         Monitor and perform nursing care for patients with tracheostomy tubes

·         Perform CPR using the RECOVER guidelines

·         Administration of partial parenteral nutrition

·         Setting up, administering and monitoring pRBC, whole blood, plasma, platelet and albumin transfusions

·         Ability to perform basic and advanced medical math

·         Advanced knowledge of medications, potential medication interactions, and potential adverse effects of medication

·         Provide post-op care, including for orthopedic and neurosurgery patients.

·         Monitor and maintain JP drains and Wound Vacs

·         Monitor and maintain Pleuro-Vac

·         Obtain blood pressure and perform blood pressure interventions

·         Ability to prepare and analyze microscope samples of blood, urine and other fluids

·         Whelping newborn dogs and cats and caring for neonatal patients

·         Recognize and administer treatment for cardiac arrhythmias

Administration of Treatments

• Ensuring all prescribed treatments are completed within the ordered time period
• Taking/monitoring vital signs/blood pressures, etc. Recognizing when these vital signs are abnormal based on type of patient, age, and disease process, and reporting these to the doctor
• Giving medications/IV fluids in all routes of administration-- oral meds/injectable meds-- subcutaneous/intramuscular/intravenous. Consulting protocol book or prescribing doctor for instruction of administration of unfamiliar drugs
• Establishing intravenous catheters along with IV fluids. Following IV catheter care protocols and fluid protocols to ensure patient safety
• Drawing blood for laboratory tests and then performing in house Chemistry/CBC/Lytes/Snap Tests/Urinalysis and SediVue/Crossmatch/Blood typing/set up certain assays/tests/biopsy/Cultures/Cytology etc to be sent out to Idexx. Maintaining responsibility for in house tests and diluting appropriately when results are out of range
• Practicing safe handling and maintenance of patient tubes including but not limited to chest tube, nasal oxygen, urinary catheters, abdominal drains. Following prescribed orders for timed drainage/technique/dosage
• Tube feeding – esophageal, naso-esophageal, nasogastric, and gastric tubes. Being able to reconstitute diets as prescribed and administer through the feeding tubes
• Be able to safely prepare blood transfusions as per protocol. Be able to calculate an appropriate starting rate and increase rate as indicated. Be able to monitor appropriately and recognize when vital signs are abnormal, as well as report to the doctor

Other Patient Care

• Compassionately, calmly and gently approaching and handling patients. Practice Fear Free techniques whenever possible
• Approaching and handling patients according to safety protocols and core values 
• Practicing basic animal husbandry – ensuring clean/dry bedding, clean litter boxes at all times. Ensuring all patients have water available unless specifically under order not to. Following prescribed diet orders, as well as recording amount offered, amount eaten, and adverse reactions
• Practicing critical thinking and independent thinking. Be aware of what tasks are most critical to be performed and doing those first (pain medication, insulin, temperature checks on a patient on heat, etc). Be aware of what types of care is given to patients and question if this is not being ordered (such as pain medicine in a fracture, anti-nausea medications in a vomiting patient). Notice and alert the doctor if there are other concerns regarding a patient (has not urinated since admission, no appetite, painful, straining to defecate, etc.)

Record Keeping

• Entry of the vital signs and medications given to each patient into the computer and writing them down onto each patient’s treatment sheet which holds all orders pertaining to that patient that is overseen by the doctor in charge of the case
• Making sure all charges are appropriately entered with specific amounts recorded
• Giving and Receiving Nursing Rounds on each patient in ICU plus other dog/cat wards in the hospital
• Ensuring that eliminations are recorded on the treatment sheet and electronic record. Ensuring the doctor is informed if there is an abnormality

Care of the ICU

• Cleaning of the ICU to meet infection control guidelines. Delegating cleaning tasks to assistants as necessary. This includes but is not limited to daily cleaning/disinfection of patient housing, surface cleaning/disinfection in ICU, mopping, sink cleaning/disinfection
• Aid in maintaining/properly using equipment within the hospital. Including but not limited to oxygen cage, anesthesia. machines, blood pressure/SP02 and resp. monitors, syringe/IV pumps
• Organizing the working area
• Ensuring needed items are in stock and delegating restocking to assistants as necessary

Procedural Support

• Aid in the intubation/sedation/anesthetizing of patients as needed
• Restraining patients for procedures/exams for doctors
• Performing CPR 
• Answer phones if needed
• Actively participate in hospital’s day to day function by taking on additional responsibilities as needed

General Job Expectations:

• Upholds MVS attendance expectations of no more than 3 unscheduled occurrences in a rolling 12-week period
• Always be in position and prepared to work at the start of each scheduled shift.
• Be prepared to handle any pet or facility emergency that may arise. Follow contingency plans.
• Competently speak and write the English language.
• Continuously strive to gain more information, additional skills, and keep up with new developments in the field through reading journals, and attending continuing education.
• Follow OSHA standards, and other safety protocols and procedures put in place by MVS.
• Know and use standard medical and business abbreviations and terminology when speaking and writing.
• Know the range of services the practice provides and the species it treats.
• Maintain a professional appearance while at work, including clean and pressed uniforms or clothes.
• Participate in all staff meetings
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Stay current on policies, procedures and schedule by checking your personal e-mail, reading the weekly meeting minutes and WhentoWork daily
• Understand and be able to recognize animal behaviors (ex. Fear, aggression), know how to change approach to animal based on behavior

Anesthesia and Surgical Procedures

• Complete and understand anesthesia machine check-list, be able to trouble shoot
• Complete understanding and ability to perform induction (IV, chamber, mask) and intubation
• Confidently perform anesthesia monitoring; knowledge of normal and abnormal parameters
• Knowledge of induction agents, analgesics, and CPR medications
• Anesthesia equipment maintenance and trouble-shooting
• Knowledge of basic surgical instruments
• Understanding of the sterile field
• Ability to clean, repack, and sterilize instruments
• Basic knowledge of autoclave verses ethoxide
• Demonstrate proper safety precautions when working with anesthetic chemicals and equipment
• Efficiently and safely recover patient, obtaining necessary post-operative vitals
• Insure all appropriate charges are entered into Infinity

Attitude and Behavior

• Demonstrate commitment, dedication, cooperation and positive behavior
• Handle stress and pressure with poise and tact
• Promote a positive attitude among staff. Smile and maintain a friendly demeanor while on the job.
• Show respect and compassion for clients, team members, and animals (alive or deceased) at all times
• Applies an engaged attitude that facilitates workflow
• Properly communicates and rounds team members, within and across services, effectively to facilitate patient care

Client Service

• Answer phone by the third ring if CSR is pre-occupied or unavailable
• Assist grieving clients and comfort them. Be familiar with the grieving process. Always be sensitive to the background chatter and conversations that could exacerbate the anxiety and grief clients are experiencing
• Complete phone training with member of management team
• Cordially greet clients and their pets, addressing each by name
• Discuss treatment and diagnostic costs to owners, ensure owners of patients to be hospitalized are provided with an accurate estimate with code status chosen and that proper deposits are collected
• Handle challenging clients with a calm and reassuring demeanor; know when to bring in member of management team
• Maintain communication with clients waiting in lobby, continuously update them of status
• Provide counseling and compassion for clients; answer their questions unless it is clear attending doctor should do so

 

Patient Care and Comfort

• Always wash hands after handling patients to minimize the spread of infectious diseases and pathogens
• Appropriately and effectively triage every patient that enters MVS
• Provide clean bedding, water and litter pans for hospitalized pets according to individual patient needs
• Understand and be able to recognize normal and abnormal vital signs, follow through when abnormal signs are seen

Pharmaceuticals

• Basic knowledge of all medications used in hospital; including routes of administration, side effects, dose, drug interactions, etc

• Learn and become comfortable with CRI calculations
• Prepare medications and prescriptions for dispensing as directed by the veterinarian and be able to teach owners how to administer
• Use proper aseptic technique in drawing up medications
• Verify all dosages and conversions on treatment sheet are correct

Physical Plant Maintenance

• Launder soiled linens using established protocols
• Maintain cages, runs, and/or hospital facilities, including exam rooms, treatment room, isolation area, ICU wards, employee lounge, bathrooms and doctor’s office in a neat, sanitary and stocked condition
• Maintain constant vigilance regarding open doorways that could allow pets to escape from their cage or facility

• Maintenance of all work areas including but not limited to sweeping, mopping, emptying garbage and recyclables, dusting, and cleaning counter tops, kennels, and wet sinks

 

Record Keeping

• Ensure all appropriate charges are entered into patient invoice
• Ensure all treatments and diagnostics are in Infinity prior to the chart going up front for discharge
• Ensure appropriate handling of controlled substances and proper maintenance of the controlled drug log
• Ensure proper documentation and labeling of deceased patient for cremation or home burial
• Maintain detailed, prompt and accurate medical record using Infinity treatment plans to ensure timely patient care and treatments

 

Technical Animal Knowledge and Skills

• Use safe, reliable, and confident restraint, while showing compassion and care. Use provided restraint tools effectively
• Use proper technique to shave patients, which minimizes clipper burn and skin trauma
• Know and be able to execute proper fecal and urine collection methods
• Understand how to monitor, adjust and maintain IV infusion pumps, syringe pumps, programmable syringe pumps
• Understand proper use of digital x-ray machine
• Minimize radiation hazards: use protective equipment and wear dosimetry badge
• Use appropriate and correct positioning  to obtain diagnostic quality radiograph
• Understand adjustments needed to
• Consistently use Right and Left markers
• Apply and monitor pressure bandages using proper technique
• Execute and understand proper technique for Venipuncture using patients cephalic, saphenous and jugular veins
• Know proper administration techniques for IV, IM, SQ and oral medications
• Know proper aseptic technique for placement of cephalic, saphenous and jugular intravenous catheters
• Know proper aseptic technique for placing and maintaining urinary catheters
• Know proper techniques for obtain blood pressure, and recognize abnormal and normal ranges
• Learn and become familiar with central line placement
• Set-up and record diagnostic multi-lead ECG tracings, recognize normal and abnormal rhythms, learn to troubleshoot equipment complications
• Understand the life cycle and pathology of common and zoonotic diseases to prevent transmission throughout the hospital and in public areas. Follow and understand isolation procedures

 

Job Functions

 

Emergency Inpatient Technician:

• Ability to provide in-hospital care based patient status. (ie: critical, medical board)
• Knowledge of medication contraindications and administration via all sites on patient
• Ability to recognize the signs of cardiac arrest in a patient
• Timely and confidently perform Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation
• Knowledge of electronic treatment plans and able to complete in a timely manner.
• Ability to maintain and complete patient treatments and electronic treatment plans
• Ability to enter and complete medical records
• Ability to walk, sling, rotate and maneuver patients
• Ability to monitor post-surgical patients
• Ability to perform procedures such as: urinary catheterization, naso-gastric/esophageal tube and central lines
• Oxygen Therapy: able to understand the function of oxygen chamber system and operation, along with troubleshooting.
• Fluid Therapy: Understanding fluid rates, boluses, concentrations and administration
• Ability to enter charges onto invoice

 

Emergency Outpatient Technician:

• Ability to understand triage and able to triage patients appropriately
• Able to check patients in by acquiring a full descriptive history, along with patient vitals
• Able to round doctors in full and concise manner
• Ability to enter charges, based on the provider on staff
• Ability to complete outpatient diagnostics, ie: Radiographs, bloodwork, ultrasound, etc
• Ability to complete outpatient treatments
• Able to fill and dispense medications appropriately, by hospital standards
• Able to discuss take home instructions and/or educate client on how to treat their pet
• Provide assistance to inpatient technician with treatments and care on in-hospital patients
• Knowledge of electronic treatment plans and able to document/complete in a timely manner
• Ability to enter and complete medical records effective and efficiently working with various ER veterinarians and MVS specialists

 

 

Language Skills:                             

Ability to legibly and thoroughly write medical records and correspondence. Ability to read and interpret documents such as laboratory reports, medical records from other doctors, hospital policy and procedure manuals. Ability to speak effectively before small groups of customers or employees of the hospital. Ability to graciously deal with client complaints. Ability to successfully communicate with diverse personality types.

Computer Skills:         

Must be proficient with basic computer, fax and printer operations. Able to work with Microsoft Word, Excel, and the Internet. Experience with Infinity veterinary software helpful.

Mathematical Skills:    

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as drug dosing, oxygen levels, dilutions, percentages, and volume.  Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability:         

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Must possess solution-focused problem solving skills.                                                  

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

                                                             Amount of Time Spent on Task

Task	None	Less than 1/3	1/3 to 2/3	More than 2/3
Stand				X
Walk				X
Sit			X
Use hands to finger, handle, or feel				X
Climb or balance		X
Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl			X
Talk or hear				X
Taste or smell			X

 

The job requires the following lifting requirements and/or exerted force be performed on the job.  

 

                                                                 Amount of Time Spent on Lifting Amount

Lifting Amount	None	Less than 1/3	1/3 to 2/3	More than 2/3
Up to 10 pounds				X
Up to 25 pounds			X
Up to 50 pounds		X
Up to 100 pounds	X
More than 100 pounds	X

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust to focus.                             

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.  As a hospital, there will be exposure to a variety of chemicals and cleaners. The noise level in the work environment is occasionally loud. Pet dander and exposure to a wide variety of animals is to be expected

Qualifications

Educational: Extensive and broad knowledge of animal science, medicine, husbandry, including basic knowledge of pharmacology and sufficient mathematical skills to ensure the administration of accurate drug and fluid dosages. High school diploma or equivalent is required. CVT Licensure or meets eligibility for licensing requirements. VTS and higher education is preferred but not required.

• Must be a licensed technician (CVT) and a Veterinarian Technician Specialist in Emergency and Critical Care
• 5 years’ experience in Emergency and Critical Care veterinary medicine
• Fear Free Certified
• Keeps up to date with current medicine by completing continuing education
• Good communication skills with coworkers and clients
• Can work efficiently and multitask
• Ability to uphold MVS Attendance expectations not to exceed 3 unscheduled absences within a 12-week rolling period
• Promotes and supports a positive work environment
• Can lift and restrain up to 40lbs

 

 

Physical: Must have the strength and stamina to lift approximately 50 pounds, walk dogs weighing up to 130 pounds and work on their feet all day.

Ergonomic: An employee in this position must be capable of safely working in environment with potential exposure to hazardous materials, infectious and zoonotic diseases.

Other: An employee in this position must have a sense of caring for animals; be willing and available to stay late or through breaks, when needed, to assist with emergency or critical-care patients is needed. Maintain strict confidentiality regarding clients and patients for whom the practice provides veterinary services. Ability to multi-task, prioritize and delegate while maintaining composure in stressful situations is expected.