Veterinary Technician (General) - Zoological Medicine and Surgery
University of Illinois

Job Info

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Veterinary Technician (General) - Zoological Medicine and Surgery

Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Job Summary
The Veterinary Technician will be responsible for providing standard paramedical technical support and nursing care in a courteous and professional manner in Zoo Medicine of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Based on operational need, may be asked to assist in other areas of the hospital, including Primary Care and Urgent Care. 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 and emergency procedures.
Learn to provide standard paramedical technical support, nursing care and instruction in a professional and courteous manner for Zoo Med and Primary Care patients.

• Provide skilled nursing care for patients including emergent, critical, pre and post-surgical, isolation, acute and chronic disease.
• Administer medications and fluids under the direct or written instructions of the primary veterinarian.
• Collect and submit blood (venous and arterial), urine, and fecal samples.
• Collect bacterial and fungal samples and inoculate prepackaged media.
• Record clinical signs, diagnosis and treatments in patient medical records.
• Recognize and problem-solve critical, emergent and non-emergent situations.
• Take owner information, history etc. for patient medical records.
• Administer anesthesia under the veterinarian's direction.
• Patient restraint in exam rooms during appointments.
• Insert, maintain and trouble shoot peripheral IV catheters.
• Insert, maintain and troubleshoot urinary catheters (both male and female) and monitor output.
• Remove and apply bandages as needed or as directed.
• Give enemas, place nasal oxygen catheters, pass stomach tubes, etc. as directed by the veterinarian.
• Assist veterinarians with diagnostic procedures such as abdominocentesis and thoracocentesis.
• Run blood work such as PCV, TP, IDEXX chemistries, BG, slide agglutination, arterial blood gases and venous blood gases.
• Set up, instruct and administer TPN, blood products, and controlled substance CRI's, as directed by the veterinarian.
• Perform and instruct diagnostic treatments such as central venous pressures, direct and indirect blood pressures, ECGs, TPRs etc.
• Set up and show to administer feedings via NE, NG, PEG, E-tube and force feedings.
• Administer controlled substances by the orders of a veterinarian.
• Orient, direct and instruct veterinary staff and students with treatments, protocols, patient set-up and the use of specialized equipment such as telemetry, rectal probes, direct and indirect blood pressures and Pleuravacs, defibrillator and oxygen cages.
• Suggest patient care strategies to clinicians including advanced care and procedures.
• Recognize physiological abnormalities such as cardiac arrhythmias, pulmonary edema, renal failure, hypotension, shock and other advanced disease processes quickly.
• Perform fecal floats, wet mounts and general cytology.
• Perform radiographs
• Work as a team with students, interns, residents and faculty to assess and treat patients.

Learn to clean, supply and maintain clinical areas and equipment

• Clean/sterilize/maintain all Zoo Medicine areas.
• Stock exam rooms, surgery prep and surgery suite.
• Do laundry as needed.
• Clean/sterilize surgery packs/instruments.
• Clean/sterilize endoscopy equipment.
• Operate, clean and provide routine maintenance on specialized equipment: such equipment might include digital radiograph, ultrasound machine, EKGs, refractometers, centrifuges, respirators, nebulizers, incubators, suction units, fluid pumps, enteral feeding pump, Doppler blood pressure, oxygen cages, and others

Learn to maintain communications for the service with clients and referring veterinarians and enter information into our Health Information system.

• Orientate, direct and instruct students, residents and interns.
• Maintain and enter into patient record supplies used and procedures performed.
• Maintain electronic medical record of patients consistent with hospital policies.
• Admit and/ or discharge patients.
• Schedule appointments and surgeries
• Make phone call backs for client questions, medication refills and appointment reminders.

Assist with and learn to provide orientation and training of veterinary students and veterinary technician students.

Other duties as assigned

Additional Physical Demands
An environment of stress may be anticipated, hence, the person in this position must be capable of reliably functioning in such an area. Exposure to anesthetic agents may present a potential hazard. An ability to work in the presence of animal waste and fluids will be necessary. To some degree, unpleasantness may be experienced under such conditions.

The handling of any animal presents some element of risk or injury. Persons allergic to animal dander, dust, pollen, hay, etc., may experience discomfort in this position. Work involving animals with 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.

Skill in performing tasks is required to operate equipment, administer medications, and restrain animals of various species for examination. Syringes, needles, and medications are potentially dangerous and must be used with care. The amount of physical exertion will vary with assignments. For example, the technician should be able to lift a 40lb. dog on and off an examination table. Some strength and considerable caution are required when working with a large animal (i.e., cattle and horses) during diagnostic or surgical procedure.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Must obtain CVT license within 6 months of employment

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Veterinary Technician Certification must be maintained throughout employment.
• Familiar with federal regulations and university and hospital polices regarding the use and handling of controlled substances.
• Skill in the operation of surgical, laboratory and diagnostic equipment.
• Able to adapt to new technologies, procedures and equipment.
• Demonstrate adherence to strict protocols.
• Able to instruct veterinary medical/technician students in patient care protocol and procedures and in the use of equipment or instrumentation.
• Able to recognize abnormalities in vital signs of patients, assess charges observed, and take necessary action in the absence of a veterinarian.
• Able to operate on the clinical floor and anticipate needs and directions of staff and students regarding patients and methods of care.
• Able to observe, record, compile and assimilate data.
• Able to explain terminology used in veterinary medicine.
• Knowledge related to the care and handling of anesthetic waste gases.
• Able to multi-task, pay close attention to details and work calmly and professionally under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Courteous and polite.

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. Salary starts at $21.91/hour.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx .

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on May 12, 2024. 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. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Jake Bough jbough@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, 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: 1024364
Job Category: Technical
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu

This job has expired.