Veterinary Technician (General) -Emergency and Critical Care Services

Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Job Summary

Responsible for providing standard paramedical technical support and nursing care in a courteous and professional manner for the Emergency and Critical Care service at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. In addition, this position may be asked to assist in other areas of the hospital based on operational need. Responsibilities will include patient nursing care and diagnostic procedures, maintaining accurate medical records, supply and equipment inventory and cleaning facilities. Due to the teaching nature of the hospital, this position will supervise and instruct professional students and veterinary technician students in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques; as well as, in emergency procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities

Learn to provide standard paramedical technical support in a professional and courteous manner.

• Work as a team with students, interns, residents, and faculty to provide skilled nursing care for all patients including, but not limited to, emergencies, critical care, post surgical, acute and chronic conditions, and isolation, which may include methicillin resistant organisms and zoonotic diseases.
• Perform patient triage, patient history, obtain approval for initial stabilization and resuscitation orders from the owner.
• Use problem solving skills to assist with patient care in both emergent and non-emergent situations.
• Recognize physical abnormalities such as, but not limited to, cardiac murmurs and arrhythmias, abnormal pulmonary auscultation, respiratory difficulty and distress, change in mentation, abnormal physical exam findings, and signs of shock.
• Recognize pulmonary or cardiopulmonary arrest and immediately initiate Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) if indicated.  Perform both basic and advanced CPR life support as directed by the veterinarian.
• Restrain patients using appropriate restraint techniques.
• Administer sedation and monitor patient vitals as directed by veterinarian.
• Record the administration of all controlled substances on the appropriate forms and patient records.
• Perform venipuncture and cystocentesis.
• Perform electronic submission of samples to clinical pathology and the diagnostic laboratory.
• Perform and analyze venous and arterial blood gases, packed cell volume (PCV)/total solids (TS), blood glucose (BG), lactate, ketostick, slide agglutination, etc.
• Use basic monitoring equipment such as indirect blood pressure (doppler and oscillometric), electrocardiogram (ECG), pulse oximetry, and continuous temperature monitoring.
• Complete and review patient monitoring and treatments as directed on the patient's care plan, such as Intensive Care Unit (ICU) flow sheet or Emergency Room (ER) patient record.  Contact veterinarian with abnormal findings when something is not within the set call parameters.
• Assist veterinarians with a variety of procedures including abdominocentesis, thoracocentesis, pericardiocentesis, wound care, chest tube placement, nasogastric/nasoesophaegeal tube placement and unblocking urinary obstructions.
• Perform placement of peripheral intravenous catheters (IVCs) and the placement of both central venous jugular catheters and peripherally inserted central catheters.
• Perform a variety of procedures including indwelling urinary catheter placement, direct arterial blood pressure monitoring, continuous ECG monitoring, and nasal oxygen tube placement.
• Maintain and troubleshoot the care and use of intravenous (IV) fluid and syringe pumps, indwelling urinary catheters, Jackson-Pratt grenade style drains, chest tubes, continuous chest tube suction (Pleuravac), central line catheters, peripheral IVCs, feeding tubes, oxygen cage, nasal oxygen, nebulization, and temporary and permanent tracheostomy care.
• Assist in calculating drug dosages and fluid/CRI rates.
• Set up and administer IV fluids, continuous rate infusions (CRI's) and other medications as directed by the veterinarian.
• Aseptically prepare blood products for administration, monitor appropriately during transfusion, and record monitoring parameters.
• Set up and administer enteral feedings through nasogastric (NG), nasoesophageal (NE), esophagostomy (E), gastrostomy (G), percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), or jejunostomy (J) tubes as directed by the veterinarian.  Perform treatments and administer medications under the direct or written orders of the veterinarian.
• Record treatments, procedures, supplies, and thorough medical notes on the patient's medical record.   Record and enter charges for supplies and procedures into the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
• Maintain ECC patient logs.

Learn to provide instruction in a courteous and professional manner.

• Orientation, direction, and instruction of students and clinicians.
• Instruction of ECC procedures.
• Instruction of problem-solving skills to assist with patient care in both emergent and non-emergent situations.

Learn to maintain work space and equipment.

• Perform regular cleaning and stocking, as well as complete daily and weekly assignments.
• Assist with documenting and troubleshooting issues with equipment.
  

Additional Physical Demands

The work schedule for this position may include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as well as assigned on-call.

Persons allergic to animal dander, dust, pollen, hay, etc. may experience discomfort in this position. An environment of stress may be anticipated. The person in this position must be capable of reliably functioning in such an area. The amount of physical exertion will vary with assignments. For example, the technician may be engaged in lifting a 40 lb. animal on and off an examination table. The handling of any animal presents some element of risk or injury. Some strength and considerable caution are required when working with animals during diagnostic or surgical procedures. An ability to work in the presence of animal waste and fluids is necessary. To some degree, unpleasantness may be experienced under such conditions. The position entails operating equipment, administering medications, and restraining animals of various species for examination. Exposure to anesthetic agents may present a potential hazard. Syringes, needles, and medications are potentially dangerous and must be used with care. Work involving animals in various disease states may expose the individual to viral, bacterial, and fungal agents known to be transmissible to man. Exposure to chemicals and anesthetic waste gases may be potentially hazardous if mishandled or misused.

Minimum Qualifications

Successful completion or current enrollment in the final semester of a veterinary technology program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 4080 - Veterinary Technician (General) position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the search closing date. Salary starts at $21.27/hour.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 PM (CST) on October 27, 2023. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact hrservices@vetmed.illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1017115
Job Category: Technical
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu