Overview

The technicians of the large animal hospital are well versed at handling multiple different species that are cared for in our hospital. In addition to horses, which comprise much of our case load, our staff also have the opportunity to work with a variety of other species including alpacas, goats and pigs. Our technicians    work together with the veterinary teams of residents, interns, and faculty clinicians to provide quality, compassionate, and timely care to all of our hospitalized patients. In addition to caring for our in-house patients, the technicians aid and provide urgent care to incoming emergencies along with our teams of veterinarians, and veterinary students. 

As a teaching hospital, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University is well known for the ability to offer a wide variety of cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic options for our large animal patients and their owners. The focus of our work here is to provide medical guidance and care to the patients and clients, as well as providing a solid education to our future veterinary professionals. Our technicians play an integral part in both roles… as caregivers and as educators.

We have over a dozen specialists with extensive experience in large animal Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Sports Medicine; and with this knowledge, the staff can provide our new hires with the training, the tools, and support that they will need to be successful in this environment. Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University has excellent resources, and health benefits to offer, and plenty of Continuing Education opportunities to further enhance our staff and our hospital surroundings. This position is a based on a 35-hour work week. Compensation rate above what is listed will be considered based on education, experience, and credentials. Generous shift differentials are offered for any scheduled hours worked outside of normal business hours, which are Monday-Friday 8am-5pm and range between an additional $2-$4 per hour. A substantial holiday premium pay is applied to any University-designated holiday. The University observes a minimum of thirteen holidays throughout the calendar year.

If you are looking for a new challenge and a rewarding experience in the veterinary/large animal field, please consider the opportunities that we have available.

What You'll Do

The Sports Medicine Service Veterinary Technician (SMSVT) position supports the clinicians, residents, interns and students within the Sports Medicine and Surgery Services at the HLA.  This service manages patient cases suffering from orthopedic, respiratory and other conditions affecting performance.  The SMSVT is a key figure in facilitating excellent patient care, client services and overall service efficiency within the Sports Medicine Service in the HLA.

Essential Functions as a Veterinary Technician III at the Hospital for Large Animal in Sports Medicine will be:

Clinicial/Technicial Assistance

• Must be able to jog horses and run.
• Assist veterinarians with diagnostic tests, procedures, and treatments.
• Answer and direct phone calls.
• Recognize and respond to veterinary medical emergencies by notifying appropriate personnel.
• Request records and information from other veterinary facilities.
• Ensure animal comfort and safety; remain alert to unforeseen circumstances.
• Prepare paperwork, service requests, treatment notes, and discharge orders as needed.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Safely store, handle, and dispose of biological agents, pesticides, and hazardous waste.
• Cover Veterinary Assistant responsibilities when needed.
• Record patient temperature, pulse, respiration, body-condition score, and weight.
• Identify normal and abnormal animal behavior.
• Maintain routine records and observations of hospitalized patients.
• Understand common diseases and medical conditions.
• Monitor and restrain patients for fluid therapy; record observations.
• Follow and understand treatment plans.
• Apply and remove equine leg and tail bandages.
• Maintain and care for nursing equipment.
• Understand euthanasia and post-mortem care procedures.
• Prepare patients using aseptic techniques.
• Assist in surgical preparation of patients.
• Provide technical assistance during orthopedic and upper respiratory surgeries.
• Assist with induction and recovery of surgical patients.
• Monitor recovering surgical patients.
• Perform post-surgical clean-up.
• Recognize general drug types and classifications.
• Assist with patient discharge/admission, grooming, and leg wraps.
• Assist with loading/unloading animals; maintain appearance at discharge; restrain, halter, and lead animals.

Patient Care / Section Maintenance / Husbandry

• Maintain surgical equipment and instruments in good working order.
• Keep surgical areas stocked with necessary supplies.
• Process requisitions and IDRs.
• Ensure cleanliness and order in surgical and exam rooms, coordinating with support staff and maintenance.
• Provide patient care: clean stalls, walk horses, water and feed patients.
• Maintain hospital cleanliness: stock treatment areas and supply Central Sterile as needed.
• Prioritize and coordinate repairs and maintenance in Sports Medicine treatment areas.
• Sanitize facilities per hospital protocols: stalls, aisles, drains, feed rooms, and isolation buildings.
• Follow Biosecurity protocols and report breaches.
• Implement patient and personnel safety measures.
• Identify potential zoonotic diseases.
• Understand and follow isolation procedures.
• Practice basic sanitation and hazardous waste handling.
• Be familiar with OSHA and IACUC standards.
• Contribute to teaching and mentoring clinical rotation students and veterinary technician students.
• Use electronic medical records (EMR) to:
  • Search for test results
  • Input procedure charges
  • Document resultsa

This Veterinary Technician position is Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 8am-5:15pm & 1 surgical technician on call shift Monday evening once trained.

This position will consider Vet technicians I (entry level technician) all the way up to VT IV (certified, and highly experienced)

Compensation rate at a minimum will be $23/hr (LVL I) and based on education, experience, and credentials.

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:

• Three years of minimum experience working as a certified or certified eligible technician with large animals.
• This position also requires two years of experience in a customer service role.
• Ability to jog horses and run is a must for this role.
• Large Animal Handling Skills Required; safely restrain large animals.
• Assess the attitude and responsiveness of horses & farm animals.
• At least one year of related experience in veterinary medicine.
• High School Diploma/GED is required; an Associate's or bachelor’s degree in Animal Science or Veterinary Technology is preferred.
• Computer proficiency/Electronic Medical Records
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodation.
• Basic computer skills, surgical technical skills
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodation

Preferred Qualification:

• CVT or greater or eligible to sit for VTNE.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and resourcefulness.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in relation to co-workers, clinicians, students, staff and clients.

Pay Range

Minimum $26.70, Midpoint $31.80, Maximum $36.80
 

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