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 with regard to small animal medicine and supports the training of small animal medicine technicians.

What You'll Do

The Veterinary Technician in Radiation Oncology works as part of an integrated clinical care team to provide high quality nursing care to inpatient and outpatient radiation oncology patients. The service offers radiation therapy treatments to cancer patients in an integrated, team-based environment. We are seeking a person with solid technical competency including experience in anesthesia, excellent communication skills, multi-tasking capability, and desire to learn. Cross-training will be provided in anesthesia and radiation therapy treatments.

In addition, the Veterinary Technician supervises and instructs veterinary students on each rotation. 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). The Veterinary Technician II performs complex and diverse clinical duties in veterinary patient nursing care and performs more complex technical procedures. 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.

As a Vet Tech II you will:

Technical Skills and Patient Care:

• Provide service to patients consistent with our hospital’s standards of minimizing fear, anxiety, stress, and pain.
• Monitor, manage and implement treatment plans as ordered by clinicians to insure prompt delivery of high-quality patient care.
• Assessment and anesthetic management of patients from induction, throughout procedure, to recovery.
• Collaborate with administrative and clinical care team members throughout the hospital to coordinate and prioritize patient care.
• Complete diagnostic testing as ordered by clinicians including bench-top lab tests.
• Provide technical assistance for clinical, academic and research functions/activities.
• Communicate with clients regarding test results and scheduling
• Assist clinicians in maintaining complete medical records for all patients
• Cross train in medical oncology to be able to assist with chemotherapy preparation and administration.
• Accurately deliver radiation treatment to patients according to the prescription provided by the radiation oncologist. Training is available for those without prior experience in radiation oncology.
• Accurately document radiation treatment delivery and all technical parameters
• Monitor patients for unusual reactions: report occurrences to the radiation oncologist

Client Interaction:

• Provide patient updates for inpatients and record in electronic medical record.
• Relay service-specific requirements and information to clients
• Schedule appointments as required
• Assist in admission of patient to hospital
• Conduct discharge process and collect payment from clients as needed.
• Referring veterinarian and client communication as directed
• Review estimate with client and collect deposit (as required)
• Review with client hospital visitation and discharge policies
• Instruct home care

Teaching:

• Instruct, direct, and assist residents, interns, students, new technicians, and student technicians with all technical aspects including treatments, medical procedures, hospital protocols, use and care of medical supplies, instruments, and equipment used
• Clinical instruction of anesthesia protocols and procedures to veterinary students, interns, residents, and student technicians throughout the neurology rotation
• Develop and maintain a service SOP binder so that others can function in the service adequately in your absence
• Instruct veterinary students in all technical aspects of the service

Maintenance - Clinical maintenance includes:

• Coordinate and prioritize daily husbandry care of inpatients and maintain adequate inventory for the service
• Perform daily quality assurance checks on linear accelerators
• Review charts at the initiation of treatment, when treatment plans are changed, and throughout the course of therapy for completeness and order
• Maintain adequate inventory of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals.
• Clean and maintain clinical areas
• Facilitate the maintenance of clinical equipment by identifying malfunctioning equipment and scheduling service

Miscellaneous - Other duties as assigned by supervisor and assistant supervisor.

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:

• 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.
• Knowledge of Diagnostic Imaging in a veterinary setting, particularly small animal radiography.
• A desire to teach. This includes sharing knowledge and expertise with colleagues throughout the Small and Large Animal Hospitals as well as students. 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, dogs and exotic patients
  • 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 Medical or Radiation Oncology
• Credentialed as a Certified Veterinary Technician or ability to become credentialed
• Advanced credentialing (such as Veterinary Technician Specialist) and/or experience in oncology and/or anesthesia

Pay Range

Minimum $24.00, Midpoint $28.55, Maximum $33.10
 

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.