Veterinary Technician II – Small Animal Operating Room Surgical Technician

Job Title

Veterinary Technician II – Small Animal Operating Room Surgical Technician

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 & identities.  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 Veterinary Technician II, under general supervision, administers treatments to animals admitted to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital under supervision of the professional staff. Provides clinical assistance to the professional staff and maintains a sanitary and functionally well-organized service within the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.

What you need to know

Compensation will be commensurate to selected hire’s experience.

Required Education:

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

Required Experience:

• Two years technical experience in veterinary or human medicine or related area.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Basic understanding in computer software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint Advanced understanding of equipment used in a veterinary or human medical teaching hospital.

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

• Advanced 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. Is adaptable to changing schedules, or assignments, and takes the initiative to complete duties and independently assigned responsibilities. Works well with a group of individuals.

• Demonstrates the ability to apply advanced knowledge of normal and pathological surgical anatomy and physiology.

Preferred Education:

• Educational training from an LVT, Surgical Technology or LVN program.

Preferred Experience:

• One year experience in veterinary, human or related medical setting and/or central sterile processing. Experience taking emergency calls.

Preferred Licenses and Certifications:

• Educational training and certification in veterinary technology and or central sterile processing certification training from an accredited program. LVT or CST.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

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

• Intermediate training and experience in veterinary technology/LVT program.

• Intermediate training circulating cases in the operating room, terminally cleaning, and operating and troubleshooting medical equipment.

• Previous experience taking emergency call.

Responsibilities:

• Scrub Assist Peri-Operative Duties: Demonstrates the ability to apply advanced knowledge of normal and pathological surgical anatomy and physiology. Donning OR attire and personal protective equipment (PPE). Verifies all implants, supplies and special equipment is available and functional. Gathers, checks for sterility, and opens supplies and equipment needed for the surgical procedure. Performs the surgical scrub and dons PPE. Sets up the sterile back table and Mayo stand with instruments, supplies, equipment, and medications/solutions needed for the procedure. Performs instrument, sharps and sponge counts with the circulator as appropriate. Assists other team members with gowning and gloving. Assists with draping the patient and establishing the sterile field. Participates in the surgical site and patient verification during the time out procedure. Secures tubing, cords, and other sterile accessories. Prepares and anticipates additional instrumentation, equipment and supplies for usage during the procedure. Anticipates the needs of the surgeon by passing instruments and supplies to surgeon during procedure. Measures and passes medications, hemostatic agents and irrigation solutions utilized during the surgical procedure. Holds retractors or instruments as directed by the surgeon. Sponges or suctions the operative site. Applies electrocautery to clamps on bleeders. Cuts suture material as directed by the surgeon. Coordinates the camera and instruments as directed by the surgeon. Maintains highest standard of sterile technique during the procedure. Prepares sterile dressings and/or immobilization devices as needed.

• 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. Knows the 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 supervisor for assignments. Serves as a resource person to team members using their advanced knowledge of procedures, equipment and supplies utilized in the OR.

• Maintain safe, clean, sanitary work environment and central sterile processing: 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. 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. Maintains compliance for AAHA/AVMA/IACUC surveys. 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.

• Teaching, Training, and Clinical Research: Assists residents/students with finding their designated OR. Assists with OR education by coordinating and/or giving in-services. 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. 

• 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. Performs other duties as assigned. May require working alternate shifts, holidays, weekends or “on call” duty. Willing to work a flexible schedule and understanding of the need to work occasional overtime when necessary.

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.