Veterinary Technician (General) - Shelter Medicine - Veterinary Teaching Hospital
University of Illinois

Job Info

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Veterinary Technician (General) - Shelter Medicine - Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Job Summary
The Veterinary Technician General will provide standard paramedical technical and nursing assistance in a courteous and professional manner to support and facilitate clinical and instructional activities that focus on delivering a high-quality high-volume spay neuter program. In addition, this position may be asked to assist in other areas of the hospital based on operational needs. Due to the teaching nature of the hospital, this position will learn to instruct professional students in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques and emergency procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Learn to provide standard paramedical technical assistance to prepare patient for surgery.
  • Collect and submit blood, urine, fecal, and other biological samples.
  • Assist with restraint and transport of patient into surgery.
  • Provide veterinary technical assistance when handling fractious patients to ensure the safety of the patient, veterinary students, interns, and faculty.
  • Perform and assist veterinary students and interns with physical examinations prior to induction.
  • Maintain electronic surgical log and assist with coordination of surgeries.
  • Position patient on surgical table according to standard operating procedures or specific veterinarian instructions. (Learn all surgical positions and associated terminologies.)
  • Clip patient according to standard procedures or specific clinician instructions regarding surgery site.
  • Prepare patient for surgery (e.g. scrub surgical site for aseptic surgery, monitor anesthesia, etc.)
  • Assist veterinary staff and students assigned to the section with their treatments of surgical patients.
• Learn to provide standard paramedical technical assistance during anesthetic induction.
  • Test anesthetic circuits prior to use.
  • Assist veterinary students in selecting appropriate endotracheal tube size.
  • Provide veterinary technical instruction to veterinary students on the appropriate site and method for anesthetic induction.
  • Provide veterinary technical assistance during endotracheal intubation or perform endotracheal intubation.
  • Administer medications, fluids, etc. under the direction of the veterinarian.
  • Understand drug interactions that are used for induction as well as post-operative pain management.
  • Under supervision of faculty or intern, calculate patient drug doses prior to induction.
  • Assist in maintaining controlled substances logs as required by law.
  • Assist with maintaining surgical and drug supplies.
• Learn to provide standard paramedical technical assistance to prepare surgical suite, instruments and equipment for aseptic surgery.
  • Open and handle sterile surgical instruments onto an aseptic field according to aseptic technique.
  • Operate, clean, and perform routine maintenance on surgical equipment according to aseptic technique.
  • Assist in supervising student workers who clean instruments and pack surgical packs.
  • Assist in the training of veterinary students and veterinary professional students in surgery related technical procedures and equipment usage.
• Learn to provide standard paramedical technical and nursing assistance during surgical procedures.
  • Provide surgeon with surgical instruments by name and function.
  • Respond to requests by clinicians and students for paramedical technical assistance.
  • Learn to utilize and monitor highly specialized surgical instruments and equipment.
  • Provide intra-operative anesthetic monitoring as necessary.
• Learn to provide standard paramedical technical assistance related to post-surgery duties.
  • Assist with transport of patient from surgical suite into recovery.
  • Monitor patient, record vitals, and recognize emergency conditions, and report an emergency to the senior veterinarian, intern, and surgeon.
  • Respond promptly and appropriately to emergency conditions.
  • Administer medications and fluids as instructed by veterinarian.
  • Dispose of sharps properly and collect opened instruments for sterilization.
  • Clean surgical suite and equipment according to aseptic technique.
• Learn to clean and maintain surgical areas and equipment.
  • Sterilize and wrap surgical instruments using different sterilization techniques, such as gas, autoclave, and plasma.
  • Clean, maintain supplies, and order necessary supplies.
  • Collect and submit blood, urine, fecal, and other biological samples. Inoculate prepackaged media.
  • Operate, clean, and provide routine maintenance of equipment, including sterilization and repacking instruments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  • Assist in coordinating the scheduling of shelters for rural shelter sterilization.
  • Enter charges for shelters into Health Information Systems related to surgical sterilization, including adding adjustments between records.
  • Operate Shelter Medicine vehicles.

Physical Demands

Standing : Constantly

Walking : Constantly

Stairs : Occasionally

Sitting : Frequently

Lifting/Carrying : Constantly

Pushing/Pulling : Constantly

Climbing : Occasionally

Balancing : Constantly

Bending/Stooping : Constantly

Kneeling : Constantly

Squatting/Crouching : Constantly

Crawling : Rarely

Reaching : Constantly

Grip/Dexterity : Constantly

Twisting : Constantly

Talking : Constantly

Hearing : Constantly

Repetitive Motions : Frequently

Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination : Constantly

Visual Acuity : Constantly

Running/Jumping : Occasionally

Physical Exertion : Constantly

Physical Restraining : Constantly

Operating Heavy Machinery/Equipment : Rarely

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 procedures. The Shelter Medicine Program travels to rural shelters several days per week and may include some weekend days.

Working Conditions

Extreme cold : Occasionally

Extreme heat : Occasionally

Humidity : Occasionally

Wet : Occasionally

Noise : Occasionally

Hazards : Constantly

Fumes/Particles/Allergens : Constantly

Toxic, Caustic Chemicals : Frequently

Temperature Changes : Occasionally

Inclement Weather : Occasionally

Heights : Rarely

Work Outdoors : Occasionally

Tight Spaces : Occasionally

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) : Frequently

Dangerous Machinery/Equipment : Occasionally

Travel Requirements
40% The Shelter Medicine Program travels to rural shelters several days per week and may include some weekend days.

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

Knowledge of 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 changes 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 after the search close date. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by January 31, 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: 1009932
Job Category: Technical
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu

This job has expired.