Veterinary Technician I - SA OR

Job Title

Veterinary Technician I - SA OR

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Vet Med-Teaching Hospital

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment    

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.   

  

Who we are   

The Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) is an institution that represents 100 years of growth from a small school of veterinary medicine in 1916 to its present role as a major veterinary educational, medical, and research center. Today, we are one of the largest schools of veterinary medicine in the United States, training nearly 600 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students each year. We support collaboration and teamwork that turns today's discoveries into proactive solutions for animals, humans, and the environment. Together, we strive to support the goals of the faculty, staff and students in teaching, research and outreach programs.  To learn more, please visit our website https://vetmed.tamu.edu/  

  

What we want   

The Small Animal Surgery Veterinary Technician I, under supervision of a Veterinary Technician II or higher, is responsible for patient care, patient safety, sterility of surgical equipment and environment, inventory, and necessary paperwork to maintain the highest standard of service in the surgical arena.

What you need to know

Compensation will be commensurate to selected hire’s experience.

Monday through Friday shifts include, but are not limited to the 8a-5p, 9a-6p, 10a-7p, or 11a-8p.

Requires participating in Holiday coverage, as needed. 

Required Education and Experience:

• Associate’s degree in veterinary technology, biomedical science, animal science or a related area, or any equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

• No prior experience required. 

 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Basic computer skills and experience with spreadsheets and word processing software.

• General understanding of equipment used in a veterinary or human medical teaching hospital.

• Basic understanding and or training and experience in central sterile instrument processing.

• Basic knowledge in sterile and aseptic technique as well as how to decontaminate instruments.

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

• Ability to be flexible and tolerant to frequent task changes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Educational training from a Veterinary, medical assisting or surgical technology program.

• One-year experience in medical setting and/or central sterile facility.

• Licensed as a Veterinary Technician from an accredited program.

• Certification as a central sterile technician.

• Certified surgical technologist.

• Basic skills in computer software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint.

• Basic training and experience with central sterile processing of instruments.

• Experience with equipment such as such as arthroscopy video towers, electro-surgery units, LigaSure, and stapling devices.

• Basic training and experience in veterinary technology and LVT program. Basic training circulating cases in the operating room, terminally cleaning, and operating and troubleshooting medical equipment.

• Previous experience taking emergency call.

• Adaptable to changing schedules, or assignments, and takes the initiative to complete duties and independently assigned responsibilities.

• Works well with a group.

Responsibilities:

• Peri-Operative Duties: Assists faculty, residents, interns, students, and other veterinary technicians in peri-operative patient care. Reads available texts about surgical procedures if not familiar prior to patient arrival to the O.R. Learns the basic steps of the surgical procedure. Verifies the correct patient and procedure to be performed in accordance with the checklist. Pulls necessary sterile supplies, sterile instruments, and equipment appropriate for the procedure. Sets up the operating room prior to patient arrival. Reads the patient medical record, prior to patient arrival to the OR, and relates any pertinent information to the team leader and plans their care according to the information. Performs all the duties necessary to competently circulate surgical procedures for all services of the small animal hospital such as orthopedics, cardiology, neurology, zoo, etc. Assists anesthesia as needed during surgery. In conjunction with the surgical team, will perform proper patient positioning, head support, eye protection, and limb restraint specific to the surgery while maintaining body alignment and safe patient handling. Maintains and submits surgical records. Prepares and maintains the sterile field and performs surgical skin prep all while adhering to principles of aseptic technique. Utilizes departmental checklist to document sharps, instruments and sponge counts pre, intra and post op. Performs proper disposal of sharps and bio-hazardous waste for any case. Checks tech folder and e-mail for any corrections of the nursing record or charges and changes as needed. Restocks any unused sterile supplies, instruments, and equipment. Assists with precepting new team members and cross-trainers. Report to team leader for assignments.

• Central Sterile Processing Duties: Performs all duties necessary for instrument decontamination, cleaning, packing, wrapping, and sterilization. Uses autoclave or hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization as needed including running biologicals and releasing items only after results of biological are returned. Pulls cases for the next day or add-on emergency cases.

• General duties: Adheres to the principles and practices of aseptic and sterile technique according to the guidelines of AAHA, AORN and AAMI guidelines. Learns and is responsible for MSDS guidelines of chemicals used within the service and uses proper chemicals for cleaning instruments. Performs periodic patient safety checks. Directs instrument/supply requests and unresolved issues to the designated resource, team leader or supervisor. Locates, connects, operates, and troubleshoots equipment. Follows protocols and policies to request supplies and handle broken equipment.  Assist surgeon/surgery student with specimen handling and submission. Assists with patient transfer as needed before and after surgery. Submits correct charges for procedures and any items checked out to other services or research accounts and documents the charge in the Tracking Log. Assists with precepting new team members and cross-trainers. Maintains training binder and case log.

• Maintain safe, clean, sanitary work environment: Restocks supplies and instruments. Provides best practice for infectious disease control and sanitation activities to ensure a consistently clean working environment. Helps provide oversight for faculty, staff, and students in the service area specific safety procedures. Uses proper PPE and follows safety guidelines when handling soiled/infectious items. Follows VMTH infection control policies. Performs daily, weekly, and periodic cleaning of the entire surgery suite including the operating room suites, sub-sterile hallway, central sterile and decontamination rooms, storage areas, OR locker rooms, break room, and all instrument handling areas.

• Required training, compliance and administrative procedures: Maintains and remains current with all required trainings by Texas A&M and VMTH. Follows all Texas A&M and VMTH policies and procedures. Maintains certification or licensure where appropriate. Enters all time and leave requests to direct supervisor in a timely manner. Communicates via various media throughout shift or while on-call according to protocol (ex: text, Microsoft Teams, group me, e-mail, etc). Assists in revising and preparing policies. Independently maintains assigned technician responsibilities including designated inventory. Maintains service inventory pull sheets, pack lists, and surgeon’s preferences according to departmental guidelines. Assists in maintaining compliance for AAHA/AVMA/IACUC/AALAC/USDA surveys. Arrives in a timely manner to work each day in order to be properly dressed in surgical attire at the start of the shift. Weekday shifts assigned by supervisor; which can be one of the following: 11a-8p, 10a-7p, 9a-6p, 8a-5p or 7a-4p.

• Teaching, Training, and Clinical Research: Assists with veterinary student teaching labs as assigned. Assists in clinical research cases including necessary record keeping. Assists in resident arthroscopy, total hip, laparoscopy, thoracoscopy and spinal labs. Participates in CE classes and local seminars as scheduling permits. Performs other duties as assigned.

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.