Overview

The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University provides 24-hour care for pets 365 days of the year. Since 1985, we have offered high quality medical care, consultation, referral and emergency veterinary services for the care of dogs, cats and exotic pets. In addition, the hospital creates a positive learning experience for Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University students and student technicians.

This position qualifies for a $2,000 sign on bonus following successful completion of 6 months of employment for newly hired employees.

What You'll Do

The Internal Medicine Veterinary Technician works as part of an integrated clinical care team to provide high quality nursing care to all internal medicine cases for the small animal hospital. This technician provides assistance to clinical care teams for internal medicine appointments, inpatient treatments, special procedures, technician appointments, special procedures and imaging. Part of this position includes daily teaching of students and technicians in skills such as fear-free patient handling, venipuncture, testing requirements, IV catheter placement and inpatient treatment.

This position requires the ability to multitask and excellent prioritization of cases to manage a varying caseload. This technician has excellent client service and communication skills to effectively speak to clients, referring veterinarians, clinicians and coworkers. This position provides the opportunity for advanced training in specialty medicine, relationship building with long term patients and clients, as well as regular working hours (no on-call or weekend duties).

A liberal continuing education allowance and tuition reimbursement is provided to all technicians employed in Foster Hospital for Small Animals to promote personal and professional growth. The minimum rate of pay for this position is $25 per hour based off a 35-hour work week. Compensation above this rate will vary based on education, experience, and credentials.

Essential functions as a Vet Tech II, Internal medicine will be:

• Patient Care - Provide high quality patient care including the following:
  
  • Provide care to patients consistent with our hospital’s standards of minimizing fear, anxiety, stress, and pain.
  • Monitor, manage and implement treatment plans for both outpatients and inpatients as ordered by clinicians to insure prompt delivery of high-quality patient care.
  • Collaborate with administrative and clinical care team members throughout the hospital to coordinate and prioritize patient care.
  • Complete and submit diagnostic testing as ordered by clinicians including bench-top lab tests.
  • Provide technical assistance for clinical, academic and research functions/activities.
  • Assist clinicians in maintaining complete medical records for all patients.
  • Cross train in all medical procedures (e.g., endoscopy, fluoroscopy, feeding tube placement, bone marrow aspirates and more) as well as other specialty services including anesthesia to provide coverage as required.
  • Ensure adequate record keeping and the submissions of proper charges for cases.
  • Prepare treatment regimens, pharmacy prescriptions/refill requests, estimates and processes associated with drop off patients.
  • Conduct technician appointments, coordinating with the Senior Clinical Skills Technicians
• Client Care
  
  • Provide clients with updates for their hospitalized patients.
  • Relay messages and facilitate timely and accurate communication between clinicians and clients
  • Schedule appointments and procedures as needed
  • Conduct discharge appointments, educate clients in at home care and answer follow up questions
  • Communicate with and provide updates to referring veterinarians
  • Review estimates with clients and answer financial questions as needed.
• Teaching – Teaching responsibilities include:
  
  • Instruct veterinary students and student technicians in all technical aspects of patient care.
  • Assist in training, orienting and mentoring new Veterinary Technicians in all aspects of the service
• Cleaning/Stocking/Equipment Maintenance - Clinical maintenance includes:
  
  • Maintain adequate inventory of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals.
  • Clean and maintain related clinical areas (e.g., exam and procedure rooms).
  • Facilitate the maintenance of clinical equipment by identifying malfunctioning equipment and scheduling service.
• Miscellaneous - Other duties as assigned by supervisor and assistant supervisor
  
  • Provide coverage for other departments as required.
    
    

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:

• Knoweldge and experience as typically acquired by a High School diploma or equivalent and 3 years of experience as a veterinary technician in a fast-paced hospital

OR

Associate OR bachelor's degree from an AVMA-accredited institution providing training in veterinary technology, veterinary nursing, or veterinary science, and one year experience at a University hospital or large scale hospital.

OR

Certified Veterinary Technician in good standing.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently when completing basic tasks and procedural skills, and the ability to conduct more advanced tasks under supervision.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively as a member of a diverse team of clinical and administrative professionals.

• Highly motivated, enthusiastic self-starter with a professional attitude.

• Comprehensive understanding of medical terminology and veterinary pharmacology.
• Demonstrated ability to provide excellent service to both internal and external customers.
• A desire to teach.  Teaching also requires a commitment to ongoing professional development such as participation in Continuing Education and maintenance of credentials and certifications.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and ability to learn electronic medical record systems and other software systems used.

Minimum required technical skills:

• Safely restrain cats and dogs using fear-free techniques
• Assess the attitude and responsiveness of dogs and cats
• Obtain vital signs, including temperature, pulse, respiration, and capillary refill time.
• Be able to identify animals in pain or distress
• IV catheterization
• Phlebotomy (cephalic, saphenous, jugular)
• Dosage calculations for medications, fluid therapy, and continuous rate infusions.
• Set up of fluid therapy systems and fluid therapy monitoring
• Monitoring and identifying physiological parameters in patients under sedation and general anesthesia.
• Familiarity with sedatives and tranquilizers.
• Ability to use point of care machines.
• Describe steps required and be able to assist in CPR.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two or more years experience in a specialty practice.
• Prior experience working in Veterinary Internal Medicine
• Credentialed as a Certified Veterinary Technician or ability to become credentialed

Pay Range

Minimum $24.30, Midpoint $28.90, Maximum $33.50
 
Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.