Veterinary Triage Coordinator

Description

 

REPORTS TO: ECC Technician Supervisor  

 

The emergency and critical care service requires a team of people to work collaboratively for the benefit of our patients. All members should respect each other’s expertise and qualifications for the benefit of the team and its patients. In the emergency hospital setting team members must be capable of performing under pressure with calmness, confidence, and ease. They must display patience, compassion, and excellent listening skills when faced with critical cases. The ECC Veterinary Triage Coordinator should model a high-level of professionalism, critical thinking/problem-solving skills, and be an effective communicator. The ECC team should be ready and able to take direction from the ECC Leads, ECC Supervisor, and Veterinarians in terms of patient care and needs of the service to perform in a manner that promotes best practices. We are looking for a Veterinary Triage Coordinator who is passionate about triaging and patient evaluation and is ready to take on a new and exciting role in a growing hospital!  

 

 POSITION OBJECTIVES

• Mastery of triaging incoming patients and directing them to the Urgent Care or ECC service in order of priority. 

• Advanced skill in emergency action directed toward the assessment, treatment, and stabilization of a patient with an urgent medical problem.  

• Able to provide professional, clear, and effective communication with both departments (UC and ECC) regarding incoming triages.  

• Ability to use the triage board, Stringsoft, and Google Docs as a means of documentation.  

• Be able to support the ER and ICU Technicians or ECC Liaisons when time allows. 

• Perform lab work, radiographs, IVC placement, inpatient treatments, discharges, phone triaging etc.  

• Support Veterinarians to ensure exceptional veterinary care; advocate for patients, and educate clients.  

• Understanding of ECC patient's condition and treatment, and your role in their nursing management.  

• Deliver exceptional, compassionate care to patients utilizing a variety of technical skills. 

• Demonstrate superior client service. 

• Maintain an optimistic outlook. 

• Demonstrate professionalism and model TVETS Code of Professional Conduct at all times. 

• Follow all TVETS policies and procedures.  

• Perform other duties as directed in relation to this role as indicated.  

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide advanced/specialized patient care and treatment  

• Restrain patients in a safe, effective, and compassionate manner. Demonstrate how to properly handle difficult and fractious patients.  

• Phone triage – answer phone calls related to patient questions and document in Stringsoft and in the Phone Triage Log.  

• Accurately follow treatment sheet orders and document all treatments.  

• Alert a veterinarian of concerns regarding patients.  

• Maintain aseptic technique and assist in prevention of nosocomial infections. Wash hands between patients and wear gloves when indicated.  

• Be comfortable with setup, use, troubleshooting, and interpretation of a multiparameter patient monitoring equipment including ECG, ETCO2, SpO2, Oscillometric blood pressure, and Doppler equipment.  

• Accurately assess vitals including TPR, pulse quality, respiratory effort, mucous membrane color and patient attitude. Inform Veterinarian of any abnormal findings.  

• Notify primary clinician of parameter changes/concerns in patient status.  

• Administer interventional therapy as advised by the primary clinician (fluid therapy, medication administration etc.). 

• Pain assessment.  

• Keep accurate medical records.  

 Demonstrate technical skills and knowledge  

• Peripheral IV catheter placement.   

• Fluid administration.  

• Venipuncture proficiency (jugular, cephalic, lateral saphenous and femoral veins).  

• IV, IM, and SQ injections.  

• Calculate and administer medications as directed by treatment orders.  

• Calculate, dispense and record controlled medications.  

• Demonstrate knowledge of anatomy and physiology.  

• Demonstrate knowledge of pharmacology.  

• Be comfortable with medical equipment, supplies, and their locations.  

• Display ability to maintain medical equipment and supplies as per service policies. 

Complete routine laboratory/diagnostic procedures  

• Appropriately prepare, handle, and submit specimens to outside laboratories.  

• Perform routine in house blood work to include NOVA, Procyte, Catalyst, CoagDx, blood type/cross match, blood smear, PCV/TS, lactometer, glucometer, azostix.  

• Accurately record results of lab work in patient medical record/treatment sheets. Notify Veterinarian of all in house lab results.  

Patient discharge  

• Follow Discharge SOP for how to discharge inpatients.  

• Communicate with Veterinarian as to patients anticipated discharge time.  

• Follow pharmacy dispensing procedures and protocols. 

• Ensure medications are ready to go home prior to discharge.  

• Ensure that the patient discharge procedure is followed in a timely manner to minimize client wait times.  

• Ensure patients are clean, dry, and ready to go home before discharge.   

 Educate clients regarding our veterinary care and services  

• Communicate with professionalism, courtesy, and warmth in all interactions with clients.  

• Address all Veterinarians as “Dr. [Last Name]” in the presence of a client.  

• Provide clients with basic patient updates excluding details regarding prognosis, diagnosis, and lab results.  

• Exercise knowledge of TVETS programs, products, and services.  

• Accurately prepare patients for discharge to client.  

• Dispense oral medications to go home as prescribed.  

• Facilitate visits between owner and patient.  

Additional responsibilities  

• Assist fellow Technicians with work ups or inpatients as needed. 

• Assist with general husbandry, laundry, stocking supplies, and keeping the ER/ICU clean. 

 Soft Skill Expectations  

• Maintain a positive outlook and follow TVETS policies including the Employee Code of Conduct. Your conduct and interaction with hospital staff and clients is a top priority and is continually evaluated.  

• Adhere to all hospital policies and standards as required by employee manual.  

• Serve as a representative of the hospital. Display courtesy, tact, consideration, and a positive attitude in all interactions with clients, patients, and hospital staff.  

• Adhere to your work schedule. Be on the floor ready to work at the start of your shift.  

• Demonstrate initiative and teamwork in your duties each day.  

• Demonstrate professionalism.  

• Maintain strict confidentiality.  

• Follow all hospital safety protocols.  

• Must complete annual pharmacy related CE.  

Personal conduct and interpersonal skills are very important.  Interaction with hospital team members and clients is a top priority and is continually evaluated.  

 

 

**Position responsibilities may change on a temporary or regular basis according to the needs of the service or business without it being specifically included in the job description. 

 

 

SCHEDULE 

• TBD, includes a weekend shift.   

• Includes holiday coverage.  

• This position is considered essential and is therefore required to work as scheduled during inclement weather (i.e., during snowstorms).   

Qualifications

 EDUCATION AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS 

• High school diploma or equivalent 

• CVT preferred or minimum of 5 years of experience within the veterinary field 

• AS or BS degree in Veterinary Technology/Animal Science preferred  

• Emergency and/or specialty experience preferred 

CONTINUING EDUCATION 

• Required to attend and submit 10 CE courses every 2 years for VECCS certification 

• Attend in-hospital training and CE as required 

• Advanced training and credentialing is strongly encouraged  

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Minimum of 18 years of age.  

• Genuinely enjoys working with animals and can treat them compassionately even when they are stressed, ill, or in pain. 

• Thrives in a collaborative environment. 

• Possess a high-level of emotional intelligence.  

• Ability to support and foster an environment of diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and empathy.  

• Good interpersonal relationship and communication skills. 

• Can multi-task in a fast-paced working environment.  

• Can stay calm and efficient under pressure. 

• Detailed oriented and reliable.  

• Committed to providing exceptional patient/client care.  

• Excellent communication skills.  

• Professional, approachable, and maintains an optimistic outlook.  

• Proficient at working with digital records, Microsoft Word/Excel, and Google Docs.  

• Physical Effort: Work requires lifting and carrying animals (will be assisted by other staff members in lifting animals over 40 lbs.).  Walks or stands for extended periods or time; frequently works in a bent position. 

• Working conditions:  May be exposed to unpleasant odors, noises, and animal feces. May be exposed to bites, scratches, and contagious diseases. 

 

Salary : $24 - $30