Summary

The Veterinary Technician – Student Lab with the Animal Health Institute - Companion Animal Clinic Laboratories is primarily responsible for assisting with facilities, supplies, and equipment related to the Companion Animal Clinic laboratory teaching activities of the College of Veterinary Medicine on the Glendale campus. This individual will assist with the admission and discharge of all animals involved in live animal labs in accordance with all university policies and procedures as well as local, state, and federal laws and guidelines. This individual will assist in the general care of any animals used in surgical labs and ensure animals are properly cared for by students. This individual reports to the Laboratory Manager.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Maintain accurate records for surgical patients, including admission and discharge. Ensure all animals are properly registered within String Soft Electronic Medical Record System. Assist with the care of surgical patients and ensure that students are performing daily care of the animals in accordance with IACUC standards. Organize and maintain kennels, make certain there is food for in-patient spay/neuter lab patients. Assist with daily care for patients. Maintain a surgery activity log with accurate records of patients, procedures, medications, and care instructions. Prepare drugs used for live surgical labs. Work with the laboratory manager, assist in maintaining accurate records of inventory supplies and perform daily reconciliation of controlled drugs, supplies, and instruments. Prior to the beginning of each surgery course, and with the supervision and oversight of the laboratory manager, prepare the anesthesia induction suite, equip surgery tables, and organize all other aspects of the surgery laboratory setup. During on-going surgery and veterinary courses, distribute or set out lab materials, anatomical models, and equipment as instructed by the laboratory manager, and assist with laboratory practical exams. Aid with non-surgical labs including but not limited to: animal restraint, procedure demonstration, patient recruitment and handling while maintaining IACUC records and standards. Assist with the breakdown of each surgical or veterinary lab upon conclusion and ensure materials are properly handled and restocked. General laboratory cleaning and maintenance duties; assist with ordering of laboratory supplies and inventory control. When student labs are not in session, this individual will be required to assist in the Companion Animal Clinic as needed. Duties will include but not be limited to: Assist in setting up surgical and treatment areas and restraining animals for procedures and treatments Admit patients to clinic and follow protocols Create accurate hospitalization and treatment estimates Assist with anesthesia administration and monitoring Responsible for radiography, venipuncture, catheter placement and bandage changes. Monitor physical and medical conditions of hospitalized patients including pain assessment Administer medications and fluid therapy Feed and exercise hospitalized animals as directed. Process laundry/linen as needed Assist veterinarians in running of routine lab samples. Recordkeeping - Adding appropriate patient notes into electronic medical record Assist in instructional support of students in conjunction with the faculty during discussions and labs Follow protocols in working with patients with infectious diseases Maintain equipment and inventory

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Must be able to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner and have regular, predictable, in-person attendance.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience      

High School diploma or GED is required.  Must have 3-5 years of experience working in an animal hospital or veterinary clinic setting or must have CVT certification from the State of Arizona with 2-3 years of experience working in an animal hospital or veterinary clinic. Veterinary technical experience with preference given to individuals with surgical operating room experience.  

Experience working in a team environment with a high focus on customer service with the ability to maintain a professional demeanor in a fast paced environment.  Detail oriented with the ability to promote a welcoming atmosphere is essential.

This individual must have the ability to apply standard veterinary calculations to clinical situations including basic mathematical computations, problems involving dosage, concentration, dilution, and the computation of infusion rates.

Computer Skills     

Computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook). Proficiency using a digital medical record system is expected.                                

Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides graduate and post-graduate education in the health sciences. The University has two campuses, one in Downers Grove, Illinois and the other in Glendale, Arizona. More than 6,000 full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, cardiovascular perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology, speech language pathology, biomedical sciences and veterinary medicine. Over 500 full-time faculty members and 400 staff members are dedicated to the education and development of our students in an environment that encourages learning, respect for all members of the health care team, service, interdisciplinary scholarly activity, and personal growth.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance, short/long term disability and pet insurance.  We offer flexible spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care account.  We offer a work life balance with competitive time off package including paid holiday’s, sick/flex days, personal days and vacation days.  We offer a 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, child care subsidy reimbursement program, identity theft protection and an employee assistance program.  Wellness is important to us and we offer a wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility. 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee is regularly required to walk, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and smell. The employee is frequently required to stand, use hands to handle or feel, react with hands and arms, talk and hear. The employee is must regularly lift and/or move up to 40 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds or more. Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision correctable to 20/40 in one eye. Rabies immunization or proof of immunity is required. Working with live animals. Know how to operate multiple types of electrical equipment.

Animal Allergies Statement: No inhibiting allergies to animals, hay or dust.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to work near moving mechanical parts and is exposed to vibrations, toxic and caustic chemicals and fumes/airborne particles.

Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides graduate and post-graduate education in the health sciences. The University has two campuses, one in Downers Grove, Illinois and the other in Glendale, Arizona. More than 6,000 full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, cardiovascular perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology, speech language pathology, biomedical sciences and veterinary medicine. Over 500 full-time faculty members and 400 staff members are dedicated to the education and development of our students in an environment that encourages learning, respect for all members of the health care team, service, interdisciplinary scholarly activity, and personal growth.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance, short/long term disability and pet insurance.  We offer flexible spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care account.  We offer a work life balance with competitive time off package including paid holiday’s, sick/flex days, personal days and vacation days.  We offer a 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, child care subsidy reimbursement program, identity theft protection and an employee assistance program.  Wellness is important to us and we offer a wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility. 

Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based upon race; color; religion; creed; national origin or ancestry; ethnicity; sex (including pregnancy); gender (including gender expressions, gender identity; and sexual orientation); marital status; age; disability; citizenship; past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services; genetic information; or any other protected class, in accord with all federal, state and local laws, including 41 C.F.R. 60-1.4(a), 250.5(a), 300.5(a) and 741.5(a). Midwestern University complies with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act (A.R.S. 36-601.01) and the Smoke Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/).  Midwestern University complies with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts.

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