Veterinary Technician II - Opthamology

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 hospital also serves as the primary clinical training environment for veterinary students, interns, and residents.

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

The Ophthalmology technician provides exceptional level care for small animal, large animal and exotic patients. This position requires the ability to multitask and excellent prioritization of cases to manage a varying caseload. The Ophthalmology technician has exceptional communication skills to be able to teach students, interns, residents and other fellow technicians in Fear-free restraint during appointments and consultations, appropriate head positioning during ophthalmic examination, sedation and anesthesia for ophthalmology patients and assist ophthalmologists during surgical procedures on various species. The Veterinary Technician II is a CVT that performs complex and diverse clinical duties and performs more complex technical procedures. Surgical experience is preferred, and willingness to be trained for ophthalmic specific surgery procedures is a must.

Essential Functions as a Veterinary Technician II will be:

Technical Responsibilities:

• Provide high quality patient care while working alongside the ophthalmologist, residents, interns and students for in-house consultations, outpatient appointments, and surgical procedures.
• Collaborate with colleagues, co-workers, faculty, house officers and students to effectively manage a high-volume clinical workflow without direct supervisory oversight.
• Provide care to patients and support to co-workers and students that are consistent with hospital standards of minimizing fear, anxiety, stress and pain in our patients.
• Safely obtain diagnostic blood sampling from patients, administer premedication IV or IM and monitor sedated patients prior to surgical procedures, and placement of IV catheters for surgical patients.
• Position and restrain patients in a calm, professional and compassionate manner using Fear Free techniques.
• Work with clinicians to perform specialty examinations, have exceptional client communication, proficient in computer/data entry.
• Assessment and anesthetic management of patients from induction, throughout procedure, to recovery.
• Work efficiently, professionally and cohesively either independently or as a part of a team
• Ensure all patient safety and departmental protocols are being followed.
• Effectively communicate with internal customers to provide education, options and results.
• Actively seek opportunities to provide support and coverage to all modalities within the section as needed.
• Monitor, manage, and implement treatment plans 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.
• Routinely perform technical tasks with supervision once trained.
• Cross train in multiple modalities to increase depth of coverage for the department.
• Maintain IACUC and RECOVER certifications as needed.

Teaching - Teaching responsibilities include:

• Contribute to the teaching and instruction of veterinary and technician students about ophthalmology topics.
• Clinical instruction of basic procedures for veterinary students, interns, residents and student technicians throughout their ophthalmology rotation.
• Assist in training, orienting, and mentoring new veterinary technicians in all aspects of the service
  * Engage students to ensure they are receiving a successful and fulfilling education in the department
  
  

Departmental and Additional Responsibilities:

• Cleaning and stocking of supplies and equipment in all areas of the ophthalmology department, and surgical area
• Maintain adequate inventory of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals.
• Ensure all treatment areas are maintained in good condition, submit requests for improvements or work orders as needed or scheduling service.
• Provide coverage for other shifts and modalities as needed.
• Participate in Departmental and Hospital-wide initiatives as required.

Research

• Assist faculty with ongoing research projects.

The Ophthalmology Technician is considered an essential employee within the hospital however, the schedule does not include providing University and calendar holiday coverage. The University observes a minimum of thirteen holidays throughout the calendar year.

Basic Requirements:

• 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. 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, large animals and exotic patients
• Assess the attitude and responsiveness of dogs, cats and large animals
• Obtain vital signs, including temperature, pulse, respiration, and capillary refill time.
• Be able to identify animals in pain or distress
• IV and IM injections
• Phlebotomy (cephalic, saphenous, jugular)
• Dosage calculations for medications
• Monitoring and identifying physiological parameters in patients under sedation
• Assist during surgical procedures, ensuring the use of proper sterile technique
• Clean, maintain, and sterilize surgical instruments
• Familiarity with sedatives and tranquilizers.
• Describe the steps required and be able to assist in CPR.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated leadership skills and resourcefulness.
• Experience with electronic medical records.
• Prior experience in diagnostic imaging including small animal radiography and small animal ultrasound
• Excellent understanding of medical terminology and familiarity with veterinary pharmacology
• Excellent interpersonal skills in relating to co-workers, clinicians, students, staff and clients.
• Interest to learn advanced diagnostic imaging techniques in radiography and ultrasound
• Fear Free Certification
• RECOVER Certification
• Exotic Animal Handling Experience