Veterinary Technician I

 

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Primary Position Function/Summary: Under the direction of supervising clinicians, the Veterinary Technician I will provide skilled paramedical support and nursing care for animals in a hospital/ clinic setting. Specialized knowledge around preventative care medicine and surgery is required. Work efficiently in all the varieties within the clinic, including but not limited to; dentistry, surgery, general practice and urgent care. Veterinary Technician I functions in a team oriented manner with other departments that will assist in efficient clinical service.

 

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Provide paramedical nursing technical assistance:

· Assist faculty, staff, or students in identifying, weighing, and conducting physical examinations of patients.

· Monitor body functions (temperature, respiration, heartbeat. amount and frequency of food consumption, defecation, and urination) and note any irregularities.

· Provide necessary treatments as prescribed by DVM in a timely fashion; alerting DVM to any abnormalities.

· Prepare animals for surgical procedures; administer and monitor anesthesia.

· Collect blood, fecal, andurine samples; prepare and run samples for laboratory analysis.

· Prepare, administer, and monitor a variety of analgesics, local anesthetics, tranquilizers, restraint agents, and support drugs under direction of veterinarian.

· Calculate all anesthetic medications.

· Monitor critical and non-critical patients under anesthesia.

· Perform dental prophys under the supervision of a DVM.

· Insert and maintain catheter systems (such as Intravenous, Jugular and urinary)

· Advanced radiographic knowledge including specialized techniques to highlight various areas of interest including orthopedic, skull and jaw.

· Highly skilled in the wide variety of bandages, splints, i.e., spika splints, ehmer slings, velpeau slings, head bandages, thoracic bandages, and cast applications.

 

2. Client Communication, record keeping and inventory management:

· Communicate with clients, including taking histories and providing client education; going over prescribed medications, and discharge instructions.

· Maintain and update records of patient examinations, treatments, drugs administered, and client communications.

· Fill prescriptions as prescribed by DVM; contact clients as medications/food are filled and ready.

· Calling clients for progress reports after sick appointments or surgeries the next day: alert DVM of any abnormalities

· Taking phone calls, answering client questions, and schedule appointments.

· Assist in admission, transfer, and discharge of patients; records and transmits fees for services provided.

· Enter charges into health information system (Cornerstone).

· Inventory management of all prescription food products, recording levels of restricted/controlled substances

· Teach first and fourth year veterinarian students on how to navigate through Cornerstone and client communication, i.e. taking histories, going over medications and patient

· discharges.

 

3. Maintain and Organize

· Maintain and organize the treatment room for patients: restocking all equipment as needed.

· Maintain exam rooms clean and ready for appointments; restocking all equipment as needed.

· Operate, clean, and perform routine maintenance of equipment or instruments (such as respirators, nebulizers, blood gas analyzers, suction units, E.C.G., incubators, steam

· autoclaves, anesthesia machines, diagnostic x-ray equipment, and lab equipment).

· Prepare surgery suite and equipment needed for surgery; assist DVM by passing suture, instruments, drapes, etc. by aseptic technique.

· Maintain and prepare surgical suite after each surgery so It is ready for the next patient.

· Sterilize and organize surgical packs.

Perform other duties as requested

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The position requires paramedical technical knowledge and skills in small animal medicine with an understanding of specialized procedures related to surgery. Knowledge related to the care and handling of anesthetic waste gases. Trouble-shooting, problem-solving, organization and management skills are essential. Difficulty: Position involves operating treatment equipment, administer medications, and restrain animals of various species for examination. Syringes, needles and medication are

potentially, dangerous and must be used with care. The amount of physical exertion will vary with assignments. For example, the technician should be able to lift a 40Ibs dog on and off an examination table. Able to learn and adapt to new technologies, procedures and equipment. Understand and apply strict protocols. Ability to remain calm

and be professional in a crisis.

Veterinary Technician I Minimum Qualifications:

· Successful completion of a veterinary technology program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

· Current certification as a Veterinary Technician by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

· One (1) year (12 months) of paramedical veterinary experience comparable to that performed at the Veterinary Technician (General) level of this series or in other positions of comparable responsibility.

 

To view classification specifications:
https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/ViewSeries.aspx?tblCS_SeriesID=82

Benefits:

Comprehensive university benefits offered. https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/benefits

To apply:
Please send your cover letter, resume, and names/contact information for three references to monicac@illinois.edu. For further information regarding application procedures, contact Monica Castro-Gallegos, monicac@illinois.edu.

Position will be housed within:

Medical District Veterinary Clinic at Illinois
2242 W. Harrison St., Suite 101
Chicago, IL 60612

 

 

Additional Information:

The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility. The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.