Specialty In-Patient Veterinary Technician
8 days ago
Austin
Job DescriptionSpecialty In-Patient Veterinary TechnicianPosition SummaryThe Specialty Veterinary Recovery & In-Patient Nurse provides high-quality nursing care to hospitalized and post-procedural patients across Ophthalmology, Surgery, and Internal Medicine. This role is critical in monitoring and supporting patients during the post-anesthetic recovery period when careful observation, timely intervention, and precise care can prevent complications and ensure a smooth transition from anesthesia to full consciousness.Key Responsibilities • Closely monitor patients during the post-anesthetic recovery period, including assessment of vital signs, pain levels, oxygenation, hydration, and overall comfort, • Recognize early signs of post-anesthetic complications such as hypotension, hypothermia, respiratory distress, or abnormal recovery behavior and respond appropriately., • Provide interventions to support safe and efficient recovery, including oxygen therapy, IV fluids, warming/cooling as needed, and appropriate pain & sedation management., • Ensure proper positioning and comfort of patients to reduce stress and prevent injury during recovery., • Maintain accurate and detailed medical records, documenting observations, interventions, and recovery progress., • Administer medications, IV fluids, and other prescribed treatments in a timely and precise manner., • Coordinate with veterinarians and technicians to update patient status on SmartFlow., • Assist specialty teams with procedures as needed, including preparation and recovery monitoringSchedule:, • 12p - 10p, Tuesday - Friday Skill and Knowledge Requirements 1. Patient Monitoring & Post-Operative Care, • Demonstrates knowledge of normal species-specific vital parameters (HR, RR, BP, Temp, SpO₂), • Recognizes expected post-anesthetic vital trends vs. abnormal findings, • Assesses pain using, monitors neurological status & consciousness level, • Recognizes early post-op complications (hemorrhage, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, etc.), • Identifies respiratory distress, aspiration, or vomiting and records in smartflow, • Differentiates between expected vs. abnormal recovery patterns in specialty cases (brachycephalic breeds), • Healthy understanding of how to use the Snyder oxygen cage effectively., • Provides safe positioning post-op (orthopedic, thoracic, ophthalmic,), • Monitors and manages surgical wounds for infection, swelling, or dehiscence, • Performs ocular post-op care (eye drops, ointments, corneal protection), • Ensures Elizabethan collar or protective devices are used appropriately, • Monitors chest drains, wound drains, and urinary catheters, • Calculate and record urine output, calculate CRIs as needed per service and total fluid volume, • Must round both department leads and ECC before leaving designated patients for the day, • Treatment sheets/Whiteboard must be updated for the next 24 hours of hospitalization before leaving, • Round notes must be in smartflow at end of shift with technician names that took over the case 2. Anesthesia, Analgesia & Drug Knowledge, • Demonstrates knowledge of commonly used anesthetic, analgesic, and supportive medications in all four phases of anesthesia., • Understands recovery phases of anesthetic agents, • Demonstrates knowledge of drug reversal agents and indications for use, • Administers analgesics, sedatives, and anti-emetics correctly, • Manages IV fluids, catheter lines, and nasogastric or esophagostomy tubes., • Responds appropriately to anesthetic emergencies (airway obstruction, seizures, arrhythmias), • Manages CRI (constant rate infusion) analgesia and advanced pain control methods, • Demonstrates knowledge of proper insulin dosing and buratrol when indicated. 3. Equipment Proficiency, • Operates monitoring equipment (ECG, SpO2, ETCO2, BP) either MindRay monitor or handheld devices (EMMA, Doppler BP, VEMO ecg), • Uses oxygen delivery systems, suction, and warming devices (location and how to use), • Update Smartflow treatment sheets/EzVet knowledge 4. Specialty Knowledge Ophthalmology:, • Understands ocular anatomy & common complications (Corneal ulcers, Glaucoma, post op cataract surgery, post op extraocular surgeries vs intraocular surgeries), • Administers ophthalmic medications correctly (5 minutes between eye drops 15 minutes between ointments), • Monitors for bruising, bleeding, rubbing, redness, squinting, pain Specialty Surgery (Ortho/Neuro/Thoracic/Soft Tissue):, • Monitors orthopedic/neuro patients for pain, mobility, and positioning needs, • Manages thoracotomy/chest tube patients, PU sites/U-cath bag, wound drains, NG tube,, • Supports spinal surgery recovery (neurologic checks, bladder expression, strict recumbency care), • Recognizes complications of advanced procedures (e.g., pneumothorax, septic abdomen,splectectomy, GDV), • Understands appropriate use of hot/cold therapy, PROM and sling walking., • Familiar with grimace, fear and pain score charts.Internal Medicine:, • Supports treatments and lab work with medicine team for drop off appointments/procedures and updates Smartflow, • Supports medicine team with procedures (scopes, bronchial wash, CT, ect), • Recognizes systemic disease complications post-procedure, • Knowledge of how to create submission form and package samples to be sent out., • Basic understanding of CBC, Chemistry, Lytes, iCal, PCV/TP, Glucose monitoring, Lactate monitoring., • Complimentary Short-Term Disability, • Complimentary Life Insurance; with options to purchase additional voluntary benefits for self or family, • Company Sponsored Employee Assistance Program (Headspace), • 401K with 100% company match up to 3% and 4% company match for your 5% of contributions, eligible after 6 months of employment, • Florida Blue Insurance Plans with 3 tiered options; Kaiser for CA Residents, • Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account or Health Reimbursement Account options, • United Healthcare Dental Insurance; includes a 100% paid premium option for team members, • United Healthcare Vision Insurance options, • Long Term Disability option (paid for by employee), • Progyny-Fertility and Family Building Support, • Team Member Discounts for Pet Care, • Paid time off-inclusive of sick, personal, and vacation, • Digital Musculoskeletal Support, • Referral Bonus Program, • DailyPay on DemandUnited Veterinary Care provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.