Summary

The Veterinary Technician, Mid-shift ICU is the primary caretaker for all Intensive Care Unit patients in the Companion Animal Clinic. The skilled technician requires a high degree of independent judgment when delivering critical care to ICU patients. This position reports directly to the Veterinary Technician Supervisor at the Companion Animal Clinic. The hours for the Veterinary Technician Mid-shift ICU position are typically between 2:00pm-10:30pm – Monday through Thursday but may vary depending on business needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities   

Admit patients to the Intensive Care Unit for hospitalization utilizing electronic records and treatment sheets Monitor physical conditions, wounds, and medical diseases of hospitalized patients including pain assessments, ensuring patients remain in stable condition Provide basic life support and advanced life support to critical care patients Assist with emergency medical care for critical patients under supervision of the attending veterinarian Use independent judgement to determine appropriate medical care to stabilize patients when attending veterinarian is not present Set up equipment and supplies correctly for hospitalization, treatments, and procedures Act as the primary care giver for ICU patients during the mid shift by completing the following duties under limited supervision: Take and record TPR at frequent intervals Complete calculations for proper dilutions of medications and fluid therapy management including opioids and other controlled drugs Administer medications and fluid therapy in accordance with timed treatments Restrain animals in a humane manner to minimize pain and stress Assist with anesthesia administration and monitoring Responsible for radiography, venipuncture, catheter placement and bandage changes Feed and exercise hospitalized animals as directed Work with veterinary students to create accurate hospitalization and treatment forms and estimates Ensure correct charges are entered in practice management software daily Assist veterinarians in running of routine and emergency lab samples Communicate with the veterinarian on duty and veterinary students on medical cases Recordkeeping - Adding appropriate patient notes into electronic medical record. Follow protocols in working with patients with infectious diseases Be the advocate for all patients in the Intensive Care Unit Discharge patients from the clinic Assist in instructional support of students in conjunction with the faculty during discussions and treatments Process laundry/linen as needed to always assure adequate and neat supply Maintain equipment and inventory in the department Must treat all employees, students, and clients with a high level of respect and follow customer service guidelines and protocols. Other duties may be assigned

Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. This individual must have the ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner and must have regular, predictable, in-person attendance. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Other Qualifications

The position requires strict compliance with all policies and procedures. This position requires a significant amount of interaction with the public and many internal customers and, therefore, the individual must be able to develop positive rapport effectively. Must be capable of working in an animal healthcare environment which typically involves sick and injured animals along with animal products and wastes including feces, urine, blood, vomit, and other body fluids. Must be willing and able to handle and/or transport deceased animals and animal parts as well as collect and transfer bio-hazardous waste.  Must exhibit good customer service skills. Other duties as assigned

General Knowledge 

Know the range of services the practice provides and the species it serves. Be reasonably familiar with breeds and coat colors. Follow OSHA standards. Be able to find Safety Data Sheets quickly. Know and use standard medical and business abbreviations. Use proper medical terminology and spelling when speaking and writing. Be familiar with infectious diseases, including their prevention and steps to reduce or eliminate transmission.  Know the most common zoonotic diseases (infections from animals to humans). 

Education and/or Experience              
High School diploma or GED is required.  Must have a minimum of 3-5 years of experience working in an animal hospital or veterinary clinic setting. CVT certification from the State of Arizona is preferred. At least 2 years of experience in an ICU or emergency setting is required for individuals who work the overnight shift. The ideal candidate will have prior experience with fluid therapy management. This position requires working in a team environment with a high focus on patient care.  Detail oriented with the ability to promote a teaching atmosphere is essential.  

Supervisory Responsibilities                                                 
This position currently has no supervisory responsibilities.

Computer Skills                                             
The individual must have the ability to learn the StringSoft Veterinary Management system, and have basic proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook). 

Language Skills                                             
Intermediate skills: Ability to read and interpret written documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Reasoning Ability                                                      
Basic skills: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. 

Mathematical Ability
Basic skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute drug dosages and ratios.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand or sit for long periods. The employee must regularly use hands to handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to stand and walk. Have the physical strength and ability to stand for long periods, and be able to regularly lift pets and objects weighing up to 40 pounds

Animal allergies statement: No inhibiting allergies to animals, hay, or dust.

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides graduate and post-graduate education in the health sciences. The University has two campuses, one in Downers Grove, Illinois and the other in Glendale, Arizona. More than 6,000 full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, cardiovascular perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology, speech language pathology, biomedical sciences and veterinary medicine. Over 500 full-time faculty members and 400 staff members are dedicated to the education and development of our students in an environment that encourages learning, respect for all members of the health care team, service, interdisciplinary scholarly activity, and personal growth.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance, short/long term disability and pet insurance.  We offer flexible spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care account.  We offer a work life balance with competitive time off package including paid holiday’s, sick/flex days, personal days and vacation days.  We offer a 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, child care subsidy reimbursement program, identity theft protection and an employee assistance program.  Wellness is important to us and we offer a wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility. 

Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based upon race; color; religion; creed; national origin or ancestry; ethnicity; sex (including pregnancy); gender (including gender expressions, gender identity; and sexual orientation); marital status; age; disability; citizenship; past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services; genetic information; or any other protected class, in accord with all federal, state and local laws and regulations. Midwestern University complies with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act (A.R.S. 36-601.01) and the Smoke Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/).  Midwestern University complies with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts.

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