Veterinary Technician (General) - Intermediate Care Ward
University of Illinois

Job Info

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Veterinary Technician (General) - Intermediate Care Ward

Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Job Summary
Responsible for providing standard paramedical technical support and nursing care in a courteous and professional manner for the Intermediate Care Ward, Intensive Care Unit, and Small Animal Isolation Ward at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. In addition, this position may be asked to assist in other areas of the hospital based on operational need. 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; as well as, emergency procedures.

• Learn to provide standard paramedical technical and patient support, nursing care and instruction in a professional and courteous manner.
  ◦ Work as a team with students, interns, residents and faculty to provide skilled nursing care for all patients including, but not limited to post-surgical, chronic conditions, and isolation, which may include methicillin resistant organisms and zoonotic diseases.
  ◦ Use problem solving skills to assist with patient care in both emergent and non-emergent situations.
  ◦ Recognize physical abnormalities such as, but not limited to; cardiac murmurs and arrhythmias, abnormal pulmonary auscultation, respiratory difficulty and distress, change in mentation, abnormal physical exam findings, and signs of shock.
  ◦ Institute advanced life support practices (CPR).
  ◦ Restrain patients using appropriate restraint techniques.
  ◦ Administer sedation and monitor patient vitals as directed by the veterinarian.
  ◦ Calculate, prepare, administer and record controlled substances under the direction of the veterinarian.
  ◦ Perform venipuncture and cystocentesis.
  ◦ Perform electronic submission of samples to clinical pathology and the diagnostic laboratory.
  ◦ Perform and analyze venous and arterial blood gases, packed cell volume (PCV)/total solids (TS), blood glucose (BG), lactate, ketostick, slide agglutination, etc.
  ◦ Use basic monitoring equipment such as; indirect blood pressure (doppler and oscillometric), electrocardiogram (ECG), pulse oximetry, and continuous temperature monitoring.
  ◦ Complete and review patient monitoring and treatments as directed on the patient's care plan, such as Intermediate Care flow sheet or Emergency Room (ER) patient record. Contact veterinarian with abnormal findings when something is not within the set call parameters.
  ◦ Assist veterinarians with variety of procedures including abdominocentesis, thoracocentesis, pericardiocentesis, wound care, nasogastric/nasoesophageal tube placement, unblocking urinary obstructions and indwelling urinary catheter placement.
  ◦ Perform placement of peripheral intravenous catheters (IVCs) and the placement of both central venous jugular catheters and peripherally inserted central catheters.
  ◦ Maintain, trouble shoot the care and use of intravenous (IV) fluid and syringe pumps, indwelling urinary catheters, Jackson-Pratt grenade style drains, central line catheters, peripheral IVCs, feeding tubes, oxygen cage, nasal oxygen, nebulization, and stable temporary and permanent tracheostomy care.
  ◦ Assist in calculating drug dosages and fluid/CRI rates.
  ◦ Set up and administer IV fluids, continuous rate infusions (CRI's) and other medications as directed by the veterinarian.
  ◦ Aseptically prepare blood products for administration, monitor appropriately during transfusion and record monitoring parameters.
  ◦ Set up and administer enteral feedings through nasogastric (NG), nasoesophageal (NE), esophagostomy (E)-tube, gastrostomy (G)-tube, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), or jejunostomy (J)-tubes, as directed by the veterinarian.
  ◦ Perform treatments and administer medications under the direct or written orders of the veterinarian.
  ◦ Record treatments, procedures, supplies, and thorough notes on patient's medical record.
  ◦ Record and enter charges for supplies and procedures into the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
  ◦ Maintain IMC/ ISO patient logs.
• Learn to provide instruction in a professional and courteous manner
  ◦ Orientation, direction and instruction of students and clinicians.
  ◦ Instruction of service procedures.
  ◦ Instruction of problem-solving skills to assist with patient care in both emergent and non-emergent situations.
• Learn to maintain workspace and equipment
  ◦ Maintain sanitary clinical conditions; perform regular cleaning and stocking, as well as complete daily and weekly assignments.
  ◦ Operate, clean, and maintain clinical equipment, including specialized equipment, such as incubators, anesthesia machines, endoscope, blood analysis machine, etc.
  ◦ Assist with documenting and troubleshooting issues with equipment.
  ◦ Maintain necessary clinical supplies.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Additional Physical Demands
The work schedule for this position may include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Scheduled on-call will also be required.

An environment of stress may be anticipated. The person in this position must be capable of reliably functioning in such an area. The amount of physical exertion will vary with assignments. For example, the position may be engaged with lifting a 40lb. dog on and off an examination table. The handling of any animal presents some element of risk or
injury. Some strength and considerable caution are required when working with animals during diagnostic or surgical procedures. An ability to work in the presence of animal waste and fluids is necessary. To some degree, unpleasantness may be experienced under such conditions. This position entails operating equipment, administering medications, and restraining animals of various species for examination. Exposure to anesthetic agents may present a potential hazard. Syringes, needles, and medications are potentially dangerous and must be used with care. 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.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Illinois Veterinary Technician Certification must be obtained within 6 months of hire and maintained throughout employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 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 will be taught.
• 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. The hourly rate for this position is $21.91.

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 05, 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 Jacob 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: 1024085
Job Category: Technical
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu

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