Veterinary Technician II- Internal Medicine

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. The Internal Medicine Service at Foster Hospital for Small Animals provides advanced diagnostic, therapeutic, and comprehensive medical care for dogs and cats with complex or chronic diseases. Led by board-certified specialists in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM), the service works collaboratively with highly skilled veterinary technicians, residents, interns, students, and support staff to deliver exceptional patient care within a state-of-the-art teaching hospital environment.
The service manages a diverse caseload involving disorders of the gastrointestinal, respiratory, hepatic, renal, endocrine, infectious, and immune-mediated systems, as well as critically ill patients requiring intensive medical management. Through close collaboration with specialists in other disciplines, the Internal Medicine Service provides comprehensive, patient-centered care for some of the most challenging veterinary cases. The service is committed to excellence in patient care, education, and clinical innovation. Faculty and staff play a vital role in training future veterinarians and veterinary technicians while fostering a collaborative culture of learning, mentorship, and continuous professional development.

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.

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.
• 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 electronic medical record systems.

Minimum required technical skills:

• Safely restrain cats and dogs using low-stress 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