Veterinary Technician II - Small Animal Surgery

The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University provides 24-hour care for pets, 365 days a year. Since 1985, we have offered high-quality medical care, consultation, referral, and emergency veterinary services for dogs, cats, and exotic pets. The hospital also creates a positive learning environment for veterinary students and student technicians.

This position qualifies for a $2,000 sign on bonus following successful completion of 6 months of employment for newly hired employees.

The Surgery Department seeks a dedicated Veterinary Technician who is passionate about patient care and thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. This role supports surgery faculty, residents, interns, and students in managing both inpatient and outpatient cases. Responsibilities include assisting with outpatient appointments, surgical procedures, patient treatments, and discharge processes.

The technician will also function as a surgical nurse, performing tasks such as patient preparation, sterile technique, operating room setup and cleanup, and post-operative care. Additional duties include submitting charges, instrument care, inventory control, and maintaining surgical areas.

This position is considered essential and requires flexibility, including coverage during University holidays and participation in a rotating on-call emergency schedule (weeknights, weekends, and holidays). Holiday shifts receive premium pay.

Essential Functions as a Veterinary Technician in the surgery department will be:

Patient Care

• Assist clinicians and students with patient restraint, care, and treatment.
• Perform phlebotomy, IV catheter placement, urine collection, and assist with radiographs.
• Coordinate, administer, and monitor sedation for outpatient procedures.
• Document medical records accurately.
• Prepare estimates, treatment plans, and anesthesia requests.
• Provide basic animal husbandry and hygiene.
• Assist with outpatient imaging and procedures (e.g., shock wave treatments, bandage changes).
• Support surgical procedures: patient prep, OR setup/cleanup, positioning, and sterile assistance.
• Ensure patient care aligns with Fear Free principles to minimize stress and pain.
• Monitor and implement treatment plans as directed by clinicians.
• Collaborate with hospital teams to ensure seamless patient care from admission to discharge.
• Maintain certifications (IACUC, Fear Free, RECOVER) as required.

Leadership

• Promote efficiency and professionalism within the outpatient surgery team.
• Organize daily operations, ensuring smooth patient and client flow.
• Enforce patient safety and departmental protocols.
• Communicate effectively with internal teams.
• Develop and maintain Surgery Department SOPs and hospital policies.
• Collaborate with section leaders and management to resolve issues.
• Foster a positive, collaborative culture for students, residents, faculty, and staff.

Client & RDVM Support

• Serve as a point of contact for clients and referring veterinarians.
• Coordinate patient flow between reception, exam rooms, radiology, and surgical areas.
• Manage admissions, discharges, and scheduling of follow-up appointments.

Training & Development

• Mentor and train students, interns, and residents on daily operations.
• Guide students in using electronic medical records.
• Evaluate student performance and provide feedback.
• Cross-train technicians and veterinary assistants as needed.

Maintenance

• Clean and stock surgical areas and equipment.
• Care for instruments, including proper cleaning, packaging, and sterilization.
• Maintain inventory of medical supplies.
• Submit work orders or improvement requests as needed.

Miscellaneous

• Provide coverage for other shifts and hospital sections as needed.
• Participate in departmental and hospital-wide initiatives.

Complete at least 6 hours of RACE-approved continuing education annually

Basic Requirements

• High school diploma (or equivalent) and 2 years of veterinary technician or similar experience.
• Strong emotional intelligence and ability to work collaboratively.
• Motivated learner with a commitment to professional growth.
• Knowledge of medical terminology, pharmacology, and surgical procedures.
• Ability to coach and train students.
• Technical skills:
• Fear Free patient restraint
• Vital signs assessment
• Phlebotomy and IV catheter placement
• Medication administration (oral, SQ, IM, IV)
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a busy clinical setting.
• Basic computer skills and ability to learn EMR systems.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Technology or related field plus two years of experience.
• Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) eligibility.
• Experience in a specialty or academic hospital setting.