Job Description

Job Location: Walpole, MA 02081

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $25.00 - $32.00 Hourly

Job Shift: DayTufts V.E.T.S. is a multispecialty emergency and critical care VECCS level 1 certified facility in New England. We are an affiliate of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, at Tufts University, providing a unique environment that integrates learning into a busy private practice setting.  We are committed to providing the highest standard of patient care from a wide range of specialty services including emergency and critical care, anesthesia, surgery, internal medicine, oncology, radiology and diagnostic imaging, ophthalmology, dermatology, cardiology, and urgent care.  We are continually seeking to unite highly skilled professionals in veterinary medicine to provide a collaborative environment that strives to promote and strengthen the human-animal bond.   

Tufts V.E.T.S. strives to be a community where diversity and inclusion are a priority.

REPORTS TO: Surgery/Anesthesia Technician Supervisor

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Surgery Veterinary Technician at Tufts VETS will play a crucial role in providing specialized care to patients requiring surgical procedures. This position requires a strong background in veterinary medicine, exceptional technical skills, and a compassionate approach to patient care. The Surgery Veterinary

Technician will assist the veterinarians with surgical interventions, ensuring the highest standards of safety and sterility, and delivering compassionate care throughout the surgical process. The Surgery Veterinary Technician plays a critical role in patient prepping, surgical setup, surgical assisting, instrument preparation, and post-operative care, ensuring the overall well-being of surgical patients.

Your attention to detail and commitment to high-quality care will ensure that our patients receive the best possible treatment. You will collaborate closely with veterinary teams, contributing to a multidisciplinary approach to animal health.

The ideal candidate will possess strong technical skills, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a solid understanding of common veterinary surgical procedures and conditions, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure. A passion for animal care and a dedication to continuous learning will further enhance your contributions to our team and the welfare of our patients.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Surgery specific duties include but are not limited to

• Operate blood analyzer machines and performing in-house testing.
• Perform diagnostic imaging, including positioning of the patients.
• Scanning medical records, and operating computer software (StringSoft and Microsoft word/excel).
• Run surgical appointments.
• Discharge surgical patients.
• Admit surgical patients.
• Perform TPR’s.
• Perform phlebotomy.
• Proficient with IV catheter placement.
• Administer medications SQ, IM, or IV.
• Manage surgical suites for setup and breakdown along with overall maintenance of the rooms.
• Turn over surgical suites in between procedures.
• Open and close rooms at start and end of day.
• Stock surgical suites, induction, pack prep and bandage carts.
• Partake in central sterilization tasks as needed.
• Report maintenance/machine problems to Technician Supervisor and Chief of Surgery.
• Assist the Technician Supervisor and Chief of Surgery with keeping up with current and changing protocols associated with surgical nursing.
• Assist with setup of patient monitoring equipment and warming devices.
• Participates in surgery morning rounds.

Surgical Assistance

• Assist the anesthetists in premedication, induction, intubation, and surgical preparation of patients.
• Prep patients for surgical procedures.
• Managing the instrument table throughout surgery.
• Needs of the day (stability of patient, timely coordination with other services, day vs overnight case, available instrumentation/equipment, location use).
• Participate in all aspects of cleaning of the surgical department.
• Proficient with sterile techniques (gowning, gloving, and handling sterile instruments).
• Performing closing suture.
• Utilizing equipment (orthopedic drills and saws, soft tissue abdominal and thoracic retractors).
• Patient care post-operatively (analgesia, comfort, adverse effects to monitor).
• Continued care treatments (bandaging/splints, wound care, incision site monitoring).
• Assist in post-op radiographs and/or other procedures.
• Assist with bringing patients back to the ICU after procedures.

Surgeon Assistance

• Assist surgeon in managing surgery department patients.
• Assist surgeon with initial SOAP, operative report, discharge instructions, referral summary, treatment sheets, and medication prescriptions.

General Expectations

• Assist in training new team members and veterinary students. 
• Collaborate effectively with veterinary staff to provide comprehensive patient care. 
• Participate in continuous education to stay updated with advancements in veterinary surgery practices. 
• Meet with Supervisor regularly to review any concerns or issues. 
• Maintain an optimistic attitude and follow TVETS policies including the Employee Code of Conduct. Your conduct and interaction with hospital team members 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 team members.
• 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 and discourage gossip/rumors.
• Maintain strict confidentiality.
• Follow all hospital safety protocols.
• Communicate openly, effectively, and regularly with all management, supervisors, and specialists
• Maintain positive rapport between all hospital team members and clients.

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

Shifts TBD. Includes working weekends and holidays as required by the service. On-call rotation in surgery. Schedule subject to change at managements discretion to meet the needs of the service. This position is considered essential and is therefore required to work as scheduled during inclement weather(i.e., during snowstorms).

Compensation: Is based on education, experience, credentials, and skill level.

Benefits: Full-time benefits include health, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, 401K, flexible spending accounts, PFML, Employee Assistance Program, paid maternity leave, paid vacation/sick/personal time, employee pet discount, apparel reimbursement, CE opportunities and allowance, and paid holidays.

QualificationsEDUCATION AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Degree in Veterinary Technology and/or Animal Science preferred
• Certification as a Veterinary Technician (CVT, RVT, or LVT) preferred
• Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) desirable

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 3 years working in the veterinary field as a Veterinary Technician
• Prior experience working in surgery, emergency and critical care, or specialty medicine preferred

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 18 years old.
• Genuinely enjoys working with animals and can treat them compassionately even when they are stressed, ill or in pain.
• Must support and foster an environment of diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and empathy.
• Must have excellent interpersonal relationship and communication skills.
• Can multi-task in a fast-paced working environment.
• Can stay calm and efficient under pressure.
• Is detail oriented and reliable.
• Has a high commitment to providing exceptional patient/client care.
• Has excellent communication skills.
• Must be professional, approachable, and maintain an optimistic outlook.
• Proficient at working with digital records, Microsoft Word/Excel, and Google Docs.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

• Maintain credentialing requirements and CE each year.
• Advanced training and credentialing such as becoming a VTS is strongly encouraged.
• Complete annual CE and training as assigned including educational reading.