Careers

Job Title: Certified Veterinary Technician (Surgery & Hospitalization Focus)
Department: Room Side
Reports To: Department Supervisor, then Practice Manager

Position Overview:

A Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) with a focus on surgery and in-house hospitalization plays a critical role in providing advanced medical care to animals. This position involves assisting veterinarians with complex surgical procedures, managing anesthesia, monitoring hospitalized patients, and delivering high-quality post-operative care. The CVT ensures animals’ well-being during their stay in the hospital and plays a key role in recovery and ongoing care.

Key Responsibilities:

Surgical Assistance & Support:

• Prepare animals for surgery by performing pre-surgical exams, including vital sign checks and laboratory work (blood tests, urinalysis, etc.).
• Set up surgical suites by sterilizing instruments, prepping surgical areas, and ensuring all necessary equipment is functioning properly.
• Assist veterinarians during surgical procedures by passing instruments, controlling lighting, maintaining aseptic technique, and handling tissue or retractors as needed.
• Administer and monitor anesthesia, adjusting levels as needed to maintain animal comfort and safety during surgery.
• Monitor patient vitals during surgery (heart rate, respiration, oxygen levels) and maintain detailed anesthetic records.
• Perform post-surgical care such as bandaging, wound cleaning, and administering medications.

Anesthesia & Pain Management:

• Administer anesthetic agents, intubate animals, and monitor anesthesia levels during surgery, ensuring the animal remains stable.
• Perform post-operative pain assessments and administer analgesics as prescribed.
• Ensure animals are properly monitored during recovery from anesthesia, providing supportive care and immediate intervention if complications arise.

In-House Hospitalization & Critical Care:

• Manage the care of hospitalized animals by monitoring their vital signs, administering medications, and providing daily care (feeding, walking, etc.).
• Perform diagnostic procedures such as blood draws, catheter placements, and intravenous fluid administration. Conduct regular assessments of hospitalized patients, ensuring timely interventions when needed, and update veterinarians on patient progress.
• Provide specialized care to critically ill or post-operative patients, including maintaining IV fluids, nutritional support, and wound management.
• Handle emergency situations such as respiratory distress, cardiac arrest, or post-surgical complications, including CPR and resuscitative care.

Client Communication & Education:

• Communicate with pet owners about their animal’s surgery, hospitalization, and ongoing care plans.
• Provide clear post-operative instructions to pet owners regarding medications, activity restrictions, and follow-up care.
• Discuss the animal’s prognosis, recovery timeline, and any complications in a compassionate and professional manner.

Laboratory & Diagnostic Work:

• Collect blood, urine, and tissue samples for laboratory testing.
• Operate diagnostic equipment such as X-ray machines, ultrasound, and EKG to assist in diagnosing conditions.
• Perform and interpret basic laboratory tests, ensuring accurate results for veterinarians to assess patient health.

Facility & Equipment Management:

• Ensure surgical instruments and equipment are properly sterilized and maintained to prevent infections. Assist with inventory control of surgical supplies, medications, and other necessary equipment for surgery and hospitalization.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of surgical suites and recovery areas to ensure a sterile environment.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Certification: Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), or Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) required.
• Education: Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology from an accredited program required.

Experience:

• Extensive experience in veterinary surgery and anesthesia required.
• Experience in post-operative care, in-house patient hospitalization, and critical care preferred.

Skills:

• Proficiency in anesthesia monitoring, surgical assistance, and emergency response. Strong communication skills to interact with pet owners and the veterinary team. Ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift and restrain animals of various sizes.
• Comfort working with animals recovering from surgery, including those that may be stressed, anxious, or in pain.
• Exposure to zoonotic diseases, anesthesia, radiation, and other common hazards in the veterinary field.

Work Environment:

Certified Veterinary Technicians with surgical and in-house hospitalization expertise work in animal hospitals, emergency care facilities, and specialized surgical centers. Shifts often include nights, weekends, and holidays to provide 24-hour care for critical patients.

This role requires dedication to providing top-tier surgical support and patient care, ensuring animals receive the medical attention they need for a successful recovery.

Job Title: Veterinary Assistant
Department: Room Side
Reports To: Department Supervisor, then Practice Manager

Position Overview:

The Veterinary Assistant (Room Side) is responsible for managing the flow of room appointments, assisting the veterinarian during exams, and performing diagnostic tests. This role ensures that patients are prepared for their visits, diagnostic procedures are efficiently conducted, and the veterinarian has all necessary information to make informed treatment decisions. The room-side technician plays a key role in creating a smooth, effective, and patient-focused experience during each appointment.

Key Responsibilities:

Room Appointment Management:

• Prepare exam rooms for scheduled appointments, ensuring cleanliness, supplies stocked and readiness for patient care.
• Prepare exam rooms for scheduled appointments, ensuring cleanliness, supplies stocked and readiness for patient care.
• Greet clients and pets, obtain medical histories, and assist in preparing patients for examinations.
• Maintain efficient room schedules, minimizing wait times and optimizing appointment flow.

Assist Veterinarian During Exams:

• Assist the veterinarian by positioning and restraining animals safely for examinations.
• Document exam findings and help with the development of treatment plans.
• Provide information to clients regarding their pet’s health, diagnostic needs, and treatment options.

Perform Diagnostic Tests:

• Conduct a variety of diagnostic tests including blood draws, urinalysis, fecal exams, cytology, and other lab work as needed.
• Process and prepare diagnostic samples for analysis or transport to external laboratories.
• Assist in patient restraint and proper positioning for radiographs (X-rays) and other imaging studies.

Assist with Minor Procedures:

• Administer medications, vaccines, and treatments as directed by the veterinarian.
• Prepare patients for procedures, ensuring proper protocols are followed.
• Monitor vital signs during diagnostic tests if the patient is sedated and assist with reviewing post op care with the owner at discharge.

Patient and Client Education:

• Communicate with clients about diagnostic procedures, test results, and recommended treatments.
• Provide clear instructions to clients for post-appointment care and follow-up treatments.

Maintain Accurate Records:

• Record detailed patient information, diagnostic results, and treatment plans in the electronic medical record system.
• Ensure that patient records are up-to-date and properly organized for easy access by the veterinary team.

Cleaning and Maintaining Equipment is every Vet Assistant’s responsibility. End of day closing list must be completed in its entirety by all members of the team. Duties such as sweeping/mopping, trash removal, bathrooms, breakroom, dishes, laundry and equipment care/storage must be performed following hospital protocol.

Qualifications:

• Experience in a veterinary clinical setting, particularly in diagnostic testing, assisting with exams, and performing blood draws and catheter placement.
• Familiarity with veterinary diagnostic equipment (e.g., microscopes, lab analyzers, radiology).
• Strong communication skills to effectively interact with clients and the veterinary team.
• Ability to multitask and stay organized in a fast-paced environment, as well as be a team player.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift and move animals (up to 50 lbs).
• Ability to stand, bend, and kneel for extended periods.
• Comfort working in an environment with various animal behaviors, including those that may be stressed or anxious.

Work Environment:

• Clinic setting with regular exposure to animals, medical equipment, and cleaning supplies.
• Occasional exposure to stressful or emotional situations in relation to patient care.